Auburn head football coach Hugh Freeze was said to have several years of rope during the 2024 season as the Tigers' hopes of a winning season faded.
Could that be changing?
On SI's Terrance Biggs believes Freeze will need to start producing double-digit win seasons to keep his tenure going.
"The millions of dollars spent by the school to shore up the football team requires a commensurate return on investment. Hugh Freeze needs to win instantly. That financial windfall requires double-digit wins and far better seasons," Biggs wrote.
"If not, someone will enjoy the fruits of that investment. Patience isn't what Auburn wants to display. Freeze has already benefited from more patience than any Auburn coach in nearly 50 years.
"The transfer portal led talent to the Plains. The rest is up to Hugh Freeze.
Auburn AD John Cohen has confirmed Freeze has not yet been on the hot seat during his two-plus years on the Plains.
"No, not at any point," Cohen told the Montgomery Advertiser. "I work at an incredible university with incredible leadership, with (University President) Dr. Chris Roberts. I have an incredible board that I serve at the pleasure of. There is constant communication in everything we do. Not just football, every one of our sports. And I really believe that all of us are on the same page. That doesn't mean you don't get disappointed. It doesn't mean that you're saying we can't do things better. ... But all the signs are there.
"Where there are top-10 recruiting classes, there is success to follow. Where there's a team of people who are saying, 'I will perform for this coach. I will work hard for this coach. I will help this coach in the recruiting process,' you have something special happening."
The truth probably lies in the middle. Cohen is doing what he needs to do to pump confidence in AU before the season and probably never felt close to firing Freeze. But he's saying this after the Tigers figured things out in 2024 and beat a ranked Texas A&M in Week 13.
If Freeze lost with less dignity, things could've been different. And they still could be in 2025 if it's the same old song and dance by season's end.