Auburn AD John Cohen Outlines Key Metrics for Evaluating Coach Hugh Freeze in 2025

Auburn University Athletic Director John Cohen has outlined three key criteria for evaluating head coach Hugh Freeze during the pivotal 2025 football season: maintaining a strong connection with the locker room, ensuring individual player development, and recruiting at a high level. Despite two consecutive losing seasons and an overall record of 11-14, Freeze has retained the locker room's trust, evidenced by strong player retention and high-profile recruits and transfers, particularly on offense. Auburn's recruiting classes have been among the top 10 nationally in recent years, although the 2026 cycle has seen a decline, ranking around No. 55 to No. 70 nationally. Cohen emphasized that real progress must be demonstrated on the field, with improvements in player performance being critical to justifying Freeze's continuation beyond this season. Freeze remains optimistic about the team's potential, aiming for College Football Playoff contention, but the season's outcomes will be the true test of the program's advancement under his leadership. The Tigers open the 2025 campaign against Baylor, marking the beginning of what could be a defining year for the program.