After two seasons with Bryan Harsin, Auburn decided to swing for the fences with its new coaching hire.
The Tigers return Hugh Freeze to the Southeastern Conference after four years at Liberty.
Freeze, 53, was Mississippi’s head coach from 2012 to 2016. He coached the Rebels to a 10-win season — including a victory over Alabama — in 2015, but recruiting violations and off-field issues led to his firing. Freeze is an innovative offensive mind, an exceptional recruiter, and a talent developer at quarterback. Alabama fans took to Twitter to react to Monday’s news of having Freeze back in the SEC. Auburn could have had Lane Kiffin, but he turned down the offer. The Iron Bowl can be very interesting with Freeze, but we will see what happens. Some Tide fans believe if Freeze is back in the SEC, then Alabama should be able to return Jeremy Pruitt.
We’ll see how long he lasts!!😳
— Joan Smith Wimberly (@jswimberly) November 29, 2022
Sad…I have a stepdaughter who attends school at Auburn. They should be ashamed to what kind of message this hire represents to women and to victims of Sexual Assault #SECFB #NCAA #espn
— KLyles (@AkaAnnie22) November 28, 2022
Lol
— todd barrier 🐘 (@tjbarrier) November 29, 2022
Lol
— todd barrier 🐘 (@tjbarrier) November 29, 2022
The barn welcomes all former head coaches found guilty of cheating by the ncaa and players who get kicked off their former teams.
— Slapdash (@MoreCoase) November 28, 2022
— smith (@bamajonny) November 28, 2022
Who cares! Not a Alabama problem. Roll Tide
— Michael Berrong (@mberrong) November 28, 2022
I’ve #RTR since 1971. This makes me sick to my damn stomach. JS WTF??? #auburnfootball WTAF?? Make his ass pay his own phone bills btw. Disgraceful imo.
— TaniaLynn ’71 🏈🐘🏈 (@granniestoketoo) November 29, 2022
He’s 0-2 vs NCAA investigations into tampering though.
— George (@404PageNotFnd) November 29, 2022
if he’s allowed to coach in SEC again after the recruiting violations, i think Bama is allowed to hire @CoachJPruitt back🤔 https://t.co/BqSJnw5ZLi
— Tanner York (@tby__3) November 28, 2022
@CoachJPruitt 👀👀👀👀👀 https://t.co/8LRmCAGB4i
— Hump 🥋 (@HumpDaHump) November 28, 2022
Alabama’s rivalry with Auburn will get entertaining in recruiting with Freeze, but we’ll see how long he lasts.
Click here to follow the Bama Elite Podcast
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
