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Auburn University has officially parted ways with head coach Hugh Freeze following yet another disappointing performance, this time a 10–3 loss to Kentucky that marked the Tigers’ fifth defeat of the 2025 season. The decision, confirmed by multiple reports on Sunday, ends Freeze’s tumultuous tenure on The Plains less than three years after his highly anticipated arrival.
Auburn pulls the plug after prolonged struggles
The loss to Kentucky was the breaking point for an Auburn program desperate to return to national relevance. According to Sports Illustrated’s Bryan Fischer, the firing was expected immediately after Saturday’s defeat, as the Tigers dropped to 15–19 overall under Freeze and just 6–16 in SEC play.
Hugh Freeze never managed a winning season during his time at Auburn, and his inability to deliver results against conference rivals proved costly. His buyout is reportedly worth just over $15 million, highlighting the university’s urgency to reset before the 2026 campaign.
Players were informed during a team meeting held Sunday afternoon, marking an abrupt end to what many fans once believed would be a redemption story for the former Ole Miss and Liberty coach.
D.J. Durkin steps in as interim coach
Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin will assume the role of interim head coach for the remainder of the season, according to On3’s Grant Grubbs. Durkin faces a tough task ahead as Auburn prepares to take on No. 9 Vanderbilt this weekend, followed by closing matchups against Mercer and No. 4 Alabama.
Durkin’s promotion provides short-term stability, but Auburn’s athletic department is already exploring long-term solutions. Names like Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss) and James Franklin (recently fired by Penn State) have emerged as early candidates to take over one of the SEC’s most scrutinized programs.
Hugh Freeze’s coaching journey comes full circle
Freeze’s departure from Auburn caps a coaching career spanning nearly two decades, with previous stops at Lambuth, Arkansas State, Ole Miss, and Liberty before joining the Tigers in 2023. His overall record now stands at 91–66, a resume that reflects both early success and late-career turbulence.
Despite flashes of potential early in his Auburn stint, Hugh Freeze’s tenure was defined by inconsistent quarterback play, offensive stagnation, and mounting frustration from fans and boosters alike. The 2025 season, expected to be a turning point, instead cemented his exit.
As Auburn looks toward a pivotal offseason, the focus shifts from disappointment to rebuilding — a familiar but challenging process for one of college football’s proudest programs.
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