The main elements of Hugh Freeze's debut season running the Auburn football program, defensive coordinator Ron Roberts, quarterback Payton Thorne, 4th and 31, and everything in between, were ripped by coaches unwilling to give their names to Lindy’s Sports.
Roberts taking a new job at Florida was the best thing Auburn did according to one coach.
“You’re Auburn in a down year," one coach prefaced before saying, "Alabama is a College Football Playoff team. You’ve got them beat, it’s 4th-and-31 and you lose. That should never happen. It’s got to be the worst play in college football, except maybe Cal scoring against Stanford with the band on the field. The best thing Auburn did was get rid of Ron Roberts.”
Another coach took low blows at Thorne and needlessly evoked Cam Newton's name in comparison.
“You need a dynamic guy like Cam Newton to run your offense or one of those guys Auburn had in the past," he said. "Payton Thorne ain’t going to lead you to the promised land. He’s an average player.”
Auburn football defense sees leadership upgrade while Payton Thorne faces challenges in QB room
Roberts often gameplanned well until it counted, going haywire at the most inopportune of times. It happened against Alabama and Georgia with chances to win.
He took a job under Billy Napier at Florida and was replaced by Charles Kelly and DJ Durkin -- who have the defensive coordinator duties split but handle their specialties better than Roberts did any task.
As for Thorne, he will have a much shorter leash than last season. Hank Brown has now gotten reps, and they were inspiring to the Tigers fanbase. Walker White is a favorite behind the scenes. Even Holden Geriner is hanging around in the QB battle.
Thorne has to step up early in 2024 to ensure he's even the starter by season's end. Year two has more weight for Freeze after the disappointment year one was.