Jackson Arnold addresses Hugh Freeze facing criticism for golfing: 'I don't think it's an issue'

Hugh Freeze might be the most famous golfer in the entire SEC at the moment. In June, AL.com reported that the Auburn leader had played golf 10 times in June alone, and at least 20 times during the calendar year, which didn’t sit well with Tigers fans, considering their 5-7 record season.

The outrage has been loud, but many have come to Freeze’s defense, including transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold. He joined Auburn after starting his college career as a highly-touted prospect with Oklahoma, and he has no issue with his coach hitting the links.

“Coach Freeze loves to play golf. At the end of the day, you’ve got to have something outside of football to go to and kind of get away from football,” Arnold stated, via SEC This Morning. “I feel like, if Auburn was — if the team last year was 8-4, 9-3, we’re not even having the same conversation right now. We didn’t make a bowl game last year, maybe recruiting is a little shaky right the second, I guess you can go and blame that. I bet you Coach Freeze is playing golf just as much last year as he is this year.

“People have to have outlets outside of football. I play golf. I’ll go and play two times a week, if I have the time to, because I enjoy playing. It’s summer, you’re grinding, you’re working out with the guys. You get your football in, and after that, I go home and I decompress, whether that’s playing golf or watching TV or cooking or grilling out or doing whatever. You got to have an outlet outside of football. For Coach Freeze, he goes out and plays golf with his wife.

“I don’t think it’s an issue at all. I think people are kind of blowing it out of proportion. I think people just want something to talk about right now. I feel like, Coach has an outlet to do something fun with his wife, and he goes out and takes advantage of that.”

At least Freeze can count on his quarterback. If Arnold doesn’t have an issue with it, it’s likely a non-factor. However, the Tigers won’t be able to come out slowly when it comes to the 2025 season, or else their fans might look to blame the coach’s habit.

Regardless, whether or not Hugh Freeze, Jackson Arnold and Auburn as a whole bounce-back this season likely won’t have much to do with their coach’s fun on the golf course. Time will tell if they can get the job done, or if they’re in for another disappointing run.