Auburn Fires Hugh Freeze; Durkin Named Interim

Auburn fired head coach Hugh Freeze on Nov. 2 after a 10–3 loss to Kentucky that left the Tigers 1–5 in SEC play this season; Freeze was 15–19 overall (6–16 SEC) in nearly three seasons. Athletic director John Cohen said a search for his replacement begins immediately. Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season; Durkin joined Auburn in January 2024, is a Boardman High School graduate, has held stops at Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Florida and Michigan, and is a former Maryland head coach. Under a six-year, $39 million contract, Auburn will reportedly owe Freeze a $15.8 million buyout and had pursued renegotiation — even threatening legal action — before Freeze accepted terms. The firing prompted swift reactions on social media and immediate recruiting fallout, including three-star running back Eric Perry decommitting for Memphis and other prospects re-evaluating. Freeze’s dismissal leaves Auburn seeking its fourth coach in seven seasons amid criticism over repeated costly hires and large cumulative buyouts.