If he has done nothing else, Hugh Freeze has Auburn University excited about the Iron Bowl for the future.
He had his introductory press conference Tuesday as the Tigers’ new head football coach. After four seasons at Liberty, Freeze is back in the Southeastern Conference. The 53-year-old offensive mind is excited to get to work, but he made one thing clear with the Auburn media and national reporters. Freeze is prepared to face Nick Saban and Alabama in the Iron Bowl every year.
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He defeated Saban twice in 2014 and 2015 during his time at Ole Miss; however, this opportunity is different.
“You don’t take this job if you’re not ready to welcome that,” Freeze said about playing Saban and Alabama in the Iron Bowl. “I have a lot of respect for Nick, and he and Miss Terry have been really good friends to us, but I hope they’re a little nervous today.”
Freeze wants to send Saban a message that he is back in the SEC.
The battles in recruiting and on the field will be entertaining. Freeze will look to have the Iron Bowl return to having SEC Championship implications, College Football Playoff/national championship implications, and Heisman Trophy implications.
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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.
