A caller on Josh Pate's show asked the host if there was a Bo Nix-like renaissance possible for incoming transfer QB Jackson Arnold. Pate's answer shows what he thinks of the Auburn football program in its current form.
“My question is is Auburn going to be Oregon?” Pate said, per On SI. “Is Auburn going to provide the same environment? Is he going to have the same supporting cast? The same quality of coaching staff? Meemaw always to me a five-star seed is worthless if you plant it in crappy topsoil.
“In today’s college football with all the roster reconstruction mechanisms at your disposal and how well-resourced Auburn University is, you have no excuse to suck in year three...it’s not like we’re banging on the door demanding them to be in Atlanta when the dust clears in December. But they better be a lot better than they’ve been the last couple of year.”
Pate's criticism is aimed at the current coaching staff. Hugh Freeze, who's bringing back both his offensive coordinators and most of his position coaches, is the primary target. Because it's certainly not the Plains itself.
Pate knows what Auburn has to offer. Even at its lowest, the Tigers nearly upset defending national champion Georgia and eventual SEC champion Alabama in 2023. Recruiting has not dropped off amidst the losing -- if anything, Freeze has perfected the sales pitch on helping rebuild the Tigers.
But the doubts about Freeze are legitimate. While he did well with his first roster in 2023, having a predictable mediocre season that probably shouldn't have included a blowout loss to New Mexico State under any circumstance, he objectively failed with a much more talented roster last season.
Tough lessons have hopefully been learned. If not, Pate's take will age well a year from now when there may be discussions about a new regime altogether, even if AD John Cohen rejects any hot seat talk.