Auburn Coach Hugh Freeze Seeks Public Support From AD Amid SEC Struggles

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze, facing intense scrutiny after the Tigers' 0-4 start in SEC play for the third consecutive season, expressed a strong desire for a public vote of confidence from athletic director John Cohen, which he believes would boost morale. Despite a 14-18 overall record at Auburn and multiple close losses, Freeze remains optimistic about turning the program around, emphasizing that the team is "too dang close" and that improvements in play and coaching are needed. Freeze has not recently communicated with Cohen but trusts the athletic director's support since his hiring. The pressure on Freeze mounts amid a broader coaching shakeup in the SEC, with other programs like Florida and Arkansas having already made coaching changes, while athletic directors at Florida State and Wisconsin have publicly backed their struggling coaches. Auburn's challenging schedule and narrow defeats against ranked opponents have intensified calls from boosters and alumni for leadership changes. Freeze maintains confidence in the cultural and talent improvements within the program and is seeking a chance to fix the team's performance.