Hugh Freeze parts way with 'most' of Auburn staff

The dust has mostly settled for Hugh Freeze since being hired by Auburn on Wednesday and now it’s time to get to work. Decisions need to be made across the entire program but the top priority will be assembling the coaching staff to make sure the Tigers can hit the ground running in a big way.

Retaining former interim head coach Carnell “Cadillac” Williams was already known but according to Matt Zenitz of On3, more decisions have been made. Zenitz says Freeze has decided to part ways with “most” of the current Auburn staff minus two names.

Defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge and linebackers Christian Robinson are still under consideration to be retained by Freeze. Both worked with former head coach Brian Harsin and stayed on after his firing. No outside moves have been made by the new Auburn headman at this moment.

Etheridge has been a major reason why Auburn recruiting has stayed afloat since deciding to move on from Harsin. Of course, recruiting never stops in college football but especially in the SEC. Keeping somebody like Etheridge on the staff can keep things smooth sailing during the transitional period.

With Freeze being an offensive guy, the staff will be built around him and Williams. Decisions will be coming quick on the Plains and progress began to be made on Wednesday afternoon.

John Cohen praises Carnell Williams for work as Auburn interim head coach

After four games as the Auburn interim head coach, Cadillac Williams proved to newly hired head coach Hugh Freeze that he deserves a spot on his staff. After Freeze was hired by athletic director John Cohen, the three had a meeting that concluded with Williams being offered a promotion to associate head coach.

In Freeze’s introductory press conference Tuesday, Cohen announced the news to everyone, commending Williams for a job well done holding down the fort after the firing of Bryan Harsin.

“Before we get started, I want to recognize coach Carnell Williams,” Cohen said. “He did an incredible job as our interim coach and a tremendous job as a leader not only for our football program, but our university as well. I know coach Williams had a great meeting with coach Freeze last night and I’m just thrilled to say, I think we’re gonna have two great leaders leading this football program and I’m so excited about that.”

A former Auburn running back, Williams went 2-2 as the Tigers’ interim head coach. His big moment came during a 13-10 victory against Texas A&M that snapped a five-game losing streak and had many endorsing him as a candidate to take over permanently.