According to ESPN insider Pete Thamel, the Auburn Tigers have officially fired head coach Hugh Freeze after three disappointing seasons. Freeze compiled a 6-16 record in SEC play and went 15-19 overall during his tenure.
The decision came shortly after Auburn’s 34-20 loss to Kentucky on November 1, which dropped the team to 4-5 overall and 1-5 in conference play. The defeat put Auburn on track for a third straight losing season, and frustrated fans made their feelings clear with loud “Fire Hugh” chants throughout the game.
With Freeze’s dismissal, Auburn will reportedly owe him a buyout of around $15.4 million, a figure that decreases by approximately $4.8 million each year. The university is now expected to begin its search for a new head coach immediately as it looks to rebuild the football program and reenergize its fan base.
Fans React to Hugh Freeze’s Firing With New Coach Speculation
Freeze, 56, signed a six-year contract when he accepted the job in November 2022 through the 2028 season. According to Freeze’s buyout, he is owed 75% of his remaining salary as a buyout.
Thamel first posted the report of Freeze’s firing to X.
Sources: Auburn has fired coach Hugh Freeze. He’s gone 6-16 in the SEC over his three seasons and 15-19 overall. After losing to Kentucky last night to fall to 4-5, Auburn is in danger of having a losing record for third-straight year. pic.twitter.com/aaVjkJpcF9
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 2, 2025
Auburn has not won consecutive games in SEC play since Freeze’s first season in 2023. The Tigers’ current athletic director is John Cohen.
Fans knew the move was coming, and reactions have swiftly moved away from the firing itself and to speculation on who will be the new head football coach. Some have even called for the return of Gus Malzahn.
“Time for Auburn to admit their mistake and bring Gus back,” one fan said on X.
Time for Auburn to admit their mistake and bring Gus back pic.twitter.com/Aefhq6cn3H
— BillyHogThornton (@BillyHogT) November 2, 2025
“Lane Kiffin to Auburn,” another said.
Lane Kiffin to Auburn🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/yGjQWi322q
— Keith Carter for president (@cometothesip23) November 2, 2025
Malzahn served as the head coach for Auburn from 2013 to 2020. In 2019 and 2020, Auburn had back-to-back years of six players drafted, which had not been accomplished by Auburn’s three coaches prior to Malzahn.
Freeze previously requested more patience in seeing coaching success with Auburn.
“I wish I could ask for patience, but that’s not really something people want to give in this day and time, but I understand that,” Freeze said to CBS Sports. “I just know we’re so dang close, and if we had a few things go our way earlier in the year, we’re looking at a whole different deal. But it didn’t, and that’s life. And that’s the game of football, and it teaches us a lot of great things and a lot of tough things. We’ll get up and go get ready for the next one. I’d love for their patience.”
There are also already three other SEC coaching jobs open in the coaching carousel: Arkansas, Florida, and LSU.
“Now we have to listen to Auburn fans say they’re a better job than Florida AND LSU …. until they inevitably hire some random G5 coach,” another fan said.
Now we have to listen to Auburn fans say they’re a better job than Florida AND LSU….until they inevitably hire some random G5 coach
— LaneTrainConductor🚂🚂 (@AllAboardLane) November 2, 2025
Auburn is expected to name D.J. Durkin is expected to take over as interim coach for the remainder of the season.