Report: Hugh Freeze expected to take over Auburn's offensive play-calling in 2024
Hugh Freeze has come to a decision on who will be Auburn’s offensive play-caller following the decision to part ways with offensive coordinator Phil Montgomery.
To find the man who will do it, Freeze only will have to look in the mirror. According to Chris Low of ESPN, the Tigers head coach is expected to take over play-calling duties for the 2024 season.
“Hugh Freeze will call his own plays on offense next season for @AuburnFootball, sources tell ESPN,” Low revealed. “Freeze looked at a couple of different options after firing OC Philip Montgomery, but is taking over play-calling duties. Auburn was 11th in SEC this season in scoring offense.”
Evidently, Freeze believes he can right the ship that was Auburn’s disappointing offense last season. Auburn finished No. 90 nationally in total offense in 2023 and struggled to find consistent quarterback play.
They were slightly better in scoring offense, ranking No. 71 nationally, but that mark ranked No. 11 in the SEC out of 14 teams.
Nevertheless, while Freeze made sure to point out he has respect for Montgomery when he announced he was letting him go, it’s evident the Tigers leader believes he can get more out of that side of the ball.
“I informed Philip today he would not be retained as our offensive coordinator,” Freeze said in a statement. “Philip is a good coach and a good man. Decisions like this are never easy, however, I decided this is best for our program moving forward. I’m appreciative of his efforts this past year and wish him nothing but the best.”
A lot of pressure is going to be on Hugh Freeze and the Auburn offense in 2024. We’ll see if the unit can rise to the occasion next season.
More on Hugh Freeze, Auburn offense
As Hugh Freeze opts to take over play-calling next season, it’s not going to be an unfamiliar role. At each of his previous head coaching stops, Freeze called the plays. However, the 54-year-old head coach decided to hand off this responsibility during his first season in the driver’s seat at Auburn.
Before Freeze began his debut campaign with the Tigers, he discussed the pivotal decision, the one that he’s now gone back on.
“Play-calling is going to be on Philip,” Freeze said. “Obviously, I reserve the right to jump in and help, and I’ll be in those meetings some to just make I know what we’re doing. We’ll probably share a few things here and there, but I didn’t hire him to not use him. I think I need that help right now. There’s so much to manage in this world of managing your current roster and recruiting and playing to your strengths.
“I need some people in there that I know can put a great plan together and then call it. I’ve never coached on any staff that the head coach didn’t step in or make calls from time to time, or make suggestions. I reserve the right to do that, too, but I don’t think there’s any egos. I don’t have one anymore. I don’t think they do. It’s just, man, we want to do well together.”