Hugh Freeze believes Auburn is close under his guidance as hot seat rumors continue

Hugh Freeze went into Fayetteville and did what he needed to on Saturday afternoon. For the first time this season, Auburn emerged victorious vs. an SEC opponent thanks to a solid second-half performance vs. Arkansas. Exactly the type of result Freeze thinks Auburn should have gotten at some point earlier in the year.

The message from Freeze has been similar throughout the season, no matter the result. He believes Auburn is close to breaking through and getting to the level of competing on the big stage. Freeze took time on Monday to once again emphasize his thoughts.

“I’ve been here just short of three years,” Freeze said. “Is the program better than when I got here on the roster? Yes. Are we close? Yes. I’ve won everywhere I’ve been and I believe with all my heart we’re going to win big here.”

Another opportunity to win big comes with Kentucky rolling into the Plains. Even after the Arkansas win, Freeze finds himself in conversations about being on the hot seat. Plenty of high-profile coaching changes have already taken place in recent weeks, most notably Billy Napier at Florida and LSU‘s Brian Kelly.

Speculation continues to mention Freeze’s name in a similar vein. Auburn does not have the easiest schedule the rest of the way, still playing Vanderbilt (in Nashville) and Alabama (at home). Still, Freeze is not too interested in talking about what his future holds at the moment.

“I don’t get into those conversations,” Freeze said when asked if he spoke with Auburn athletic director John Cohen. “Because how does that help with our focus on what it should be on? And that’s these kids, getting them ready to win another football game. That’s what you’re hired to do. I think all of us that sign up for this know you’re fighting for your life from the day that you get into it.”

Getting back-to-back conference wins under Freeze would be Auburn’s first since it won three straight in 2023. Since then, consistency has been a rule issue for a program looking to establish some. Many will likely predict the Tigers to get the job done, improving their SEC record to 2-4 on the season.

Freeze appears confident the wins will begin to stack up at one point. Similar to other places he has won throughout the year, Freeze continues to say Auburn can get similar results.