Auburn dropped to 4-5 with a 1-5 record in SEC play after a lackluster 10-3 loss to Kentucky on Saturday. The Tigers are now 15-19 under Freeze, and that includes a 1-12 record against top 25 teams.
Freeze arrived at Auburn in 2023, and the Tigers are in danger of a third consecutive losing season. Given the wild turns on the coaching carousel in the first half of the season and a manageable buyout, Auburn might be in position to make a switch.
The Tigers have had four coaching chances since Tommy Tuberville left in 2008. Auburn athletic director John Cohen would have some interesting candidates.
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Hugh Freeze's Auburn buyout?
According to CBS Sports, Freeze's buyout is around $15.4 million, which is close to the buyout the Tigers paid Bryan Harsin after the 2022 season. That is not an over-the-top number, and Auburn can work with that.
Auburn coaching prospects
Who might be in line to take Hugh Freeze's job at Auburn? A look at some of the best candidates:
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Ex-Penn State coach James Franklin
Franklin, 53, is the best candidate on the board. He had a 104-45 record at Penn State from 2014-25, and that included six seasons with 10 or more wins. The Nittany Lions also made the College Football Playoff semifinals last season. Franklin's record against top-10 teams was highly publicized, but he does have SEC experience. Franklin was 24-15 from 2011-13 at Vanderbilt. Franklin said on ESPN's “College GameDay” that he wants to get back into coaching. This would be an ideal fit.
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Syracuse's Fran Brown
Brown, 43, would be the next best hire for Auburn. He rebuilt Syracuse in two seasons – the Orange won 10 games in 2024. Brown coached defensive backs at Georgia from 2022-23, and he's a charismatic coach who could handle the pressure at Auburn. Brown knows how to work the transfer portal, and he will move up soon. Why not now?
Tulane's coach, Jon Sumrall
Sumrall, who is 43 years old, holds a 39-11 record between Troy and Tulane. He previously worked as an assistant coach at Troy for three years, from 2015 to 2017, and then served as a linebackers coach at Ole Miss. That track record is impressive, and the combination of experience would play off well at Auburn. A complication arises: Sumrall, who played linebacker at Kentucky between 2002 and 2004, is also a strong contender for that position.
Jimbo Fisher: ex-Texas A&M coach
Fisher, 60, has not coached each of the last two seasons since being fired at Texas A&M. Would Fisher have the urge to get back into coaching in the SEC? He won a national championship at Florida State in 2013. He had a 45-25 record at Texas A&M from 2018-23. Fisher recruited at an elite level at both places, and that would be a difference-maker for the Tigers.
Key leads Georgia Tech
Key, 47, has increased his stock to an all-time high at Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are 8-1 this season and squarely in the CFP hunt. Key was an offensive line coach at Alabama from 2016-18. It might be tough to pry the Birmingham native away from his alma mater – which might be wise to offer a lucrative extension – but Key's no-nonsense formula would be a hit with Auburn in the SEC.
Fritz at Houston
Fritz, 65, might have one more coaching move left. Look at the four-year track record. Between Tulane and Houston, Fritz is 34-14 the last four seasons, and that includes a 4-8 record in his first season with the Cougars. Fritz does not have SEC experience, and he would be a second-tier candidate among these choices.