Is Hugh Freeze still the primary Auburn football play-caller? Explaining dynamic with Derrick Nix

Auburn football added a new offensive coordinator in the offseason to the coaching staff, former Ole Miss OC Derrick Nix, but it will be Hugh Freeze who will (still) be calling the plays for the Tigers' offense in 2024 according to Rivals' Brian Stultz.

"After a first season in which he gave up play-calling duties only to put his foot down halfway through it and take more control, Freeze will be calling plays again," Stultz wrote. "Sure, Derrick Nix is the de-facto offensive coordinator, but we all know the deal. These two worked together at Ole Miss, making the Rebels an offensive force."

For what it's worth, the first trait Freeze mentioned in his first comments since hiring Nix to work with him again after six years together at Ole Miss (2008-2009) and Liberty (2019-2022).

“I’m really excited to reunite with Derrick here at Auburn,” said Freeze (h/t AP News). “He is an outstanding recruiter and coach who has nearly two decades of experience in the Southeastern Conference. Derrick knows the level of excellence required to be successful in this league and I know he’s looking forward to the opportunity to help develop a winning program at Auburn.”

Derrick Nix brings cohesion to Auburn football offensive coordinator role

Working with Nix will give Freeze the most alignment he's ever had on the Plains. Sure, there's only one season's worth of evidence, but hiring another long-time head coach (Philip Montgomery) and having an associate head coach with NFL ambitions (Cadillac Williams) didn't mix well with the team's goals.

Nix followed Freeze to Liberty even after everything that went down at Ole Miss pertaining to the latter's controversial exit. He may not be an Auburn man just yet, but he's undoubtedly a true right-hand man for Freeze.

When it comes to the Tigers' success, that may just be more important.