Auburn Tigers football coach Hugh Freeze's recent flip losses, LB Shadarius Toodle to the Georgia Bulldogs, and WR Devin Carter to the Florida State Seminoles, have inspired a new wave of worry for his chances of staying on the Plains long-term.
Athlon Sports' Jordan Merritt declared that Freeze's seat now has more heat.
"Hugh Freeze and his staff will need to regroup, with just five commits in the 2026 class. It adds even more heat to the head coach, who is heading into the 2025 college football season on the hot seat," Merritt wrote.
As On3's Justin Hokanson notes, September is now make-or-break for Freeze's future. The Tigers face Ball State, South Alabama, Oklahoma in Norman, and Texas A&M in College Station after an August 29 date with Baylor in Waco.
"Pretty important September coming up, yes. Recruiting has a chance to turn around. Bumpy operation the last few months, lot of people involved are frustrated. Time to win," Hokanson wrote.
While Freeze wouldn't reveal what the team's goal for the 2025 season was, Rivals' Brian Stultz deemed eight wins and a bowl game a successful season.
"For Freeze, holding serve at home while winning half of the road games would be an excellent way to build some momentum. Not many expect the Tigers to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff this season, but it's essential that the win total for the Tigers is closer to 10 than to five," Stultz wrote.
"Five wins last year was disappointing, but that can be erased from memory if Auburn can get to the eight-win mark or more. Winning a bowl game, something this program hasn't done since 2019, would be a cherry on top.
"It's a crucial season for Freeze's tenure at Auburn. The head coach is certainly aware of that. Many of the pieces are in place. Now, he and his staff have to put up some wins."
Are expectations too high for Freeze's Tigers?
Maybe. At least DJ Durkin is lurking as a potential interim option should September be disastrous.