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Hugh Freeze Proposes New Change To Auburn Practice

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jay Postrado | Last updated Feb 4, 2025 6:07 PM ET

Injuries were a big factor in why the Auburn football program only notched five wins during the 2024 season.

All of these hardships in fixing rotations, alongside only getting two triumphs in the SEC, have brought Coach Hugh Freeze to a big realization — the Tigers need to change their training plan in the lead-up to the A-Day Game on April 12 to prevent fatigue from hitting.

So, what will Coach Freeze and the Auburn staff be doing differently? Well, they're opting for a late start and a safer approach so that injuries do not bog them down like they did last time.

Spring ball will commence about a month later than it did compared to the previous season. Coach Freeze outlined that they will be training for four days a week with one day being purely like an NFL practice with no pads, per Nathan King of 247 Sports.

It even seems like the Tigers head honcho would even want to forego all of this football in the spring.

"I wish we didn't have spring ball. I wish we had OTAs in June, and let us put shoulder pads on there for ten days when you have everybody there," the Auburn coach declared. "I wish they could just be with Dom, and work and get their bodies in the best shape of their life, and we do individual and walk-throughs. Now, I’m not saying not to do any ball, but no hitting."

Furthermore, Freeze even emphasized how this change could impact their long-term preparations every fall

"I wish we would try that one spring and see if our kids aren't in a better shape, better health, and ready to roll come fall camp. Give us ten days in June, and then get back in the weight room for July where we don't touch them," he added.

This switch-up could be huge when it comes to determining how healthy Auburn would be.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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