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Auburn football: WaPo told Hugh Freeze ‘can be controlled’ by current regime

By Andrew Hughes

The Washington Post's Kent Babb wrote that this episode of Auburn football feels different because the current regime may be able to control Hugh Freeze Mandatory Credit: The Montgomery Advertiser
The Washington Post's Kent Babb wrote that this episode of Auburn football feels different because the current regime may be able to control Hugh Freeze Mandatory Credit: The Montgomery Advertiser /
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The Washington Post’s Kent Babb spent a good portion of his article, titled ‘Hugh Freeze brings swagger, and scandal, to Auburn,’ talking about all of the missteps throughout the history of Auburn football since the new millennium. JetGate, this past February’s inquiry into Bryan Harsin, and the booster push-outs of both Gene Chizik and Gus Malzahn after bringing the program to its peaks this century.

Shockingly enough, though, Babb’s piece does end on a cautiously positive note — with the future of Auburn football believed to be in good hands due to imposed accountability from new athletic director John Cohen.

In the penultimate graph, before an unnamed booster intimated that Cohen can play social media moderator role on Freeze’s Twitter account, Babb shared that he believes there could finally be less drama on the Plains under the current regime:

"“(Freeze) denied reports that his employment at Auburn was contingent on relinquishing control of his social media accounts. The rumor alone was enough to renew hope among some die-hard fans, even the ones who have watched this show for years, because they believe Freeze can be controlled. And that’s enough to make this episode feel different.”"

Beneath the constant scrutiny, there is underlying belief Auburn football will thrive under Hugh Freeze

It makes a good portion of the media (and even some of the fanbase) uncomfortable to think about, but Hugh Freeze could see unparalleled success once the games actually start. The reason? He is already working hard on the recruiting trail, and the alignment with AU’s NIL collective On To Victory could be the key to unlocking a sleeping giant in the world of college football player endorsements.

Auburn football is a brand whose legacy was not honored under the last coach, and even under Gus Malzahn, the team found itself in New Year’s Six bowl games but couldn’t close the deal. Freeze could be the guy that gets them over the top in such contests, and when the College Football Playoff expands in 2024, the Tigers could be perennial participants based on past success at Ole Miss.

While his past deeds in Oxford and on social media this past year make it hard to fully trust his judgement, Freeze — particularly under the current administration, which as The Washington Post suggests, will have a good amount of control over him — could be an unsung hero in Auburn.

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