Hugh Freeze. Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Auburn makes massive decision regarding HC Hugh Freeze

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Nov 2, 2025 2:09 PM ET

The college football coaching carousel is alive and well. Just one week after Brian Kelly was fired from LSU, it's now the Auburn Tigers' turn to make a coaching move.

Hugh Freeze fired

According to multiple reports, Auburn has officially parted ways with head coach Hugh Freeze. The firing comes after Auburn managed just three points Saturday against the Kentucky Wildcats, one of the SEC's worst defensive teams, in a 10-3 loss.

Freeze's tenure

Freeze will finish his tenure at Auburn with a 15-19 (44.1%) record, much worse than his career winning percentage of 61.3%. His return to the SEC after seven seasons away ultimately did not turn out the way he or the university had hoped.

Sources: Auburn has fired coach Hugh Freeze. He’s gone 6-16 in the SEC over his three seasons and 15-19 overall. After losing to Kentucky last night to fall to 4-5, Auburn is in danger of having a losing record for third-straight year. pic.twitter.com/aaVjkJpcF9
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 2, 2025

Expected buyout

Freeze's expected buyout is set at $15.8 million, one of the largest across college football. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, that amount "is not subject to off-set and mitigation."

Potential replacements

The amount of top-notch coaching talent fired this season will give Auburn plenty of options to go after to fill its head-coaching vacancy. Those names include Billy Napier, Brian Kelly, James Franklin and others.

A head-coaching job in the SEC is a dream job for many coaches, meaning there should be plenty of suitors to fill the vacated role for both next season and beyond.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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