Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze takes the stage at the Omni Dallas for 2024 SEC Media Days
Just after lunch today, Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze took the stage to represent the Tigers for the second time at SEC Media Days. Freeze kicked things off talking about what an honor it was to represent the Auburn Family and how impactful the fans have been on the program since he arrived on the Plains.
Freeze also noted that he feels more confident heading into year two for several reasons, including the fact that the Tigers have improved their roster and that there is better chemistry among the coaching staff.
Soon reporters were able to begin asking questions, and below are several quotes of note from the Auburn football head coach.
On the five straight home games to open the season:
"So the five home games in a row are not ideal for our fans, and that's why I think we have some of the greatest fans. They'll still show up and they're going to be there. And Jordan-Hare is a difficult place to play and we've got to have that environment because I do think that five-game stretch is critical to our success of the season and whether it's the Oklahoma game or the Cal game or the Arkansas game, all of those are vital and that stretch is going to be very important for us."
On how he will spend his time this season versus last season when the main focus was recruiting:
"It's a split between managing your roster and the issues that come with that and then recruiting and offensive football for me, which is pretty normal and I would expect I'm in the offensive room a large percentage of the time to make sure me and Nix and Kent and the guys who will be involved in making a call at a critical time are all on the same page. I'd say it's split about 70 percent there and 30 percent on recruiting and player meetings and handling issues that arise."
On sophomore center Connor Lew:
"Connor Lew is already a leader. I think he's a phenomenal football player and young man, and I think he's an NFL centerm so we're excited about him and the snaps he had last year as a freshman, obviously he did really, really well."
On Payton Thorne returning as starter:
"I felt like we could put some pieces around him that would allow him to reach his potential. And I've seen it on film. I feel like he was really solid at another Power 5 conference ... and I believe with the confidence he's sensing right now from what he sees in the staff room now to feeling like he's got a Dre Lambert-Smith out there that can win ... you combine those two things, the confidence that he feels in year two with us combined with Rivaldo and people like that ... I think the combination of those two things is going to provide him the tools to have a successful year. He knows he has to produce, and we don't run from that."