Hugh Freeze knows perfectly well what he needs, or rather is expected to do, to keep his job amid the hot seat talks.
Auburn fans have been waiting long since for Freeze to have a winning season and beyond, which is originally a reason that put Freeze on the hot seat.
The Tigers' head coach is aware that this time it will take a step further than just a winning season to douse down the hot seat talks.
"I'm not a fool. I think we have to go to a bowl game," Freeze said about the expectations for the Tigers in 2025 when asked by host Landrum Roberts of Next Round Live.
"But I’m not naïve. … We could have won more games last year. And we’ve got to make sure we’re excellent in those areas that cost us, that put us in a position to be at least bowl-eligible if not more. I see no reason that we shouldn’t do that. Those are expectations that our fans should expect."
To his credit, Freeze did get Auburn ranked as one of the best recruiting classes in the country. That is a good reason for the fans to give him one more chance -- the fresh faces might fortify the program further to win the expected bowl game.
"Look, I inherited a program that didn’t have a Top 25 recruiting class for four years. … We’ve had now two full recruiting classes, both of them ranked in the Top 10. I think one more, then your roster looks complete," Freeze said.
"Obviously, I’m a competitor and I want to deliver to the Auburn people. It’s time for us to start doing that."
Freeze's message to his fans that he hears the noise and is doing something about it was loud and clear. Now, he has to execute his plan and make it work with QB Jackson Arnold leading; only then will Freeze get actual boasting rights.