Hugh Freeze, John Cohen extend immense praise for Cadillac Williams' job as Auburn interim

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.

Although that didn’t happen, Williams still showed an ability to galvanize a fan base and team that looked like it had little hope, and Freeze knew he wanted that on his staff. His meeting with Williams and Cohen only further confirmed what he already went in thinking.

“I’m so glad that the schedule for me at the end of the year married up with being able to witness (Williams’) final few games here,” Freeze said. “Because what I witnessed, I thought, was one of the most outstanding jobs of leadership that I’ve ever witnessed in college football. Being in this profession, I know how hard it is to finish seasons even when you’re doing well. Even when you’re bowl eligible. Much less finishing a season playing with enthusiasm, passion and desire and having fun like what I witnessed when I turned on the Auburn football games. To me, it was a direct reflection of Cadillac and his leadership and how he led the staff and those young men.

So it became very easy when I had my meetings with AD Cohen, I’d already done my homework on people that we had in common and I knew my first priority was I have to have Cadillac along my side to help me drive the culture of Auburn football. That meeting last night just solidified everything that I heard and witnessed. I went to bed feeling really, really good last night that Cadillac is going to be our associate head coach and running backs coach. …We’re always constantly learning as leaders, and I look forward to what he’s going to be able to impart to me on the knowledge of the Auburn family and just the feeling that you get here when you arrive. He embodies it every single day the passion he has for this place.”

Auburn finished this season 5-7 and will miss out on a bowl game for the first time since 2012. But with Hugh Freeze and Cadillac Williams working together, there is belief that can change as soon as next year.