Auburn Moves On: Five Candidates to Succeed Hugh Freeze

Auburn University has officially parted ways with head coach Hugh Freeze, following a disappointing tenure that resulted in a 15-19 overall record across three seasons. The announcement was made by athletics director John Cohen on Sunday, marking a significant shift for the Southeastern Conference (SEC) program. Freeze’s departure comes with a hefty buyout of $15.44 million, a figure that reflects the increasing trend of large payouts in the world of college football coaching.

As Auburn begins its search for a new head coach, several notable candidates have emerged. The potential replacements bring a mix of experience and success, each with their unique connections to the SEC and college football landscape.

Potential Candidates for Auburn’s Head Coaching Position

Jimbo Fisher, the former head coach of Texas A&M, is a strong contender. Fisher previously won a national championship at Florida State and has deep roots in the SEC, having served as Auburn’s quarterbacks coach in the 1990s. His recent experience at Texas A&M from 2018 to 2023 adds to his qualifications, making him a familiar face in the conference.

Another candidate is James Franklin, who was recently dismissed from his role as head coach at Penn State. Despite being let go in October, Franklin led the Nittany Lions to the College Football Playoff semifinal last season. His previous stint in the SEC as head coach at Vanderbilt from 2011 to 2013 positions him as a viable option for Auburn, although he has also been linked to the head coaching vacancy at Virginia Tech.

Alex Golesh, currently the head coach at South Florida, has garnered attention as a rising star in coaching circles. Previously the offensive coordinator at Tennessee, Golesh boasts a 20-14 overall record at South Florida, with his team currently standing at 6-2 this season and competing for a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Another name being considered is Brent Key, the head coach at Georgia Tech. A native of Alabama, Key has a history with the Crimson Tide as their offensive line coach from 2016 to 2018. Over his four seasons at Georgia Tech, he has led the Yellow Jackets to a 26-17 record, including a strong start this season with an 8-1 record and aspirations for an Atlantic Coast Conference championship.

Lastly, Jon Sumrall, head coach at Tulane, is also in contention. Sumrall has extensive ties to the SEC, having played linebacker at Kentucky and served as co-defensive coordinator there. His success at Troy, where he recorded a 23-4 record, followed by a 15-7 start at Tulane, positions him as a candidate to watch, particularly as Tulane aims for a playoff berth in 2025.

Auburn’s decision to move on from Freeze underscores the competitive nature of college football and the high stakes involved in coaching positions. As the search for a new leader begins, the university will consider not only the candidates’ records but also their potential to elevate the program in a challenging conference landscape.