Since there ain't a gawt damn thing going on with the X, I submit for your (dis)pleasure.
I am of the firm belief that barring some kind of scandal, or something similar happening, Hugh Freeze will get a third year to get this program turned around. As we all have recognized, the one thing he’s excelled at is bringing top shelf talent to the Planez. Other than that, it’s been an underwhelming performance, to say the least, especially on the offensive side of things.
I know I differ from quite a few, in that I was pumped about the hire when they named U Free to run the program. I know y’all probably remember my rants about Auburn never going after the “home run hire” in any sport, and I knew they wouldn’t this time either, so I asked for this one thing. Don’t take a huge chance!!! At least hire someone who had been there, done that, and had proven they could win. I wanted somebody with head coaching experience at the D1 level, who understood what it takes to compete in this league.
Hugh Freeze checked all the boxes. Has he been wildly successful everywhere he’s been? No, not by any stretch. But how do you define ultra-successful at programs like Arkansas State, Ole Miss and Liberty? I guess we now have to give ole Lane some credit, but this is a different day and age in college football. You can get better in a big damn hurry through the portal and NIL, something Freeze never really had at his disposal. My thinking was, and still is this. Auburn is a sleeping giant. We’ve already proven twice in recent history that we have what it takes to reach the pinnacle of college football. We just need a proven winner who understands the SEC, to take the keys to the Lamboghini and drive us there.
If Freeze isn’t the man, he’ll be gone after next season. The point to all this is, the only thing you can do as a program, is do your due diligence, try to be smart and roll the dice with who you feel is the man for the job. Sometimes it works, and obviously, more times than not, it doesn’t. Coaching turnover is a part of life. Even though I still believe he will get it turned around sooner than later, this is NOT an endorsement of Freeze, or his coaching abilities. Like I said, if he doesn’t, he gone. I’m just saying, you do your best to pick the right guy, and hope for the best. Here’s who some current SEC teams are taking a chance on:
Hugh Freeze:
Lambuth University 20-5
Arkansas State: 10-2
Ole Miss: 41-25
Liberty: 24-11
Sam Pitts – Arkansas:
Career assistant coach. Moved to Arkansas from the O-line Coach at FUGA
Josh Heupel - UT:
Came to Tennessee after 3 years at UCF
Eliah Drinkwitz- Missouri:
Named Missouri HC after one year at Appy State
Billy Napier – Gusty Gaytah:
4 years HC at University of Louisiana
Shane Beamer – South Carolina:
Career Assistant Coach
Clark Lea - Vanderbilt:
Formerly the Defensive Coordinator at Notre Dame
Jeff Lebby – Mississippi State:
Offensive Coordinator at Oklahoma
Brent Venables – Oklahoma:
Career Assistant. Came to OU from Clemson as Associate HC.
Obviously, there are varying degrees of success, or lack thereof. And noe of these had resumes that would exactly blow you awayu. No matter who you choose, all you can do is hope for the best.