Auburn University appeared to have thought they’d found their man in Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze, who was reported this weekend to be in negotiations for their football coaching position. However, it appears that pushback from fans and alumni has the administration scrambling for someone else.
According to CBS Sports Dennis Dodd, Auburn had originally planned to hire Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin but after numerous denials by him, the school moved on. Their second choice was Freeze but his reputation for scandal and overstepping has turned lots of Auburn fans off.
Now, Dodd says the school will be turning to Plan C, though they’re not entirely sure what that is yet.
Hearing pushback on Auburn administration re fb hire now that Lane is staying at Ole Miss. Plan A was Lane; Plan B was Freeze. Don't know if Auburn had a Plan C. Bears watching.
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) November 28, 2022
“Hearing pushback on Auburn administration re fb hire now that Lane is staying at Ole Miss,” tweeted Dodd. “Plan A was Lane; Plan B was Freeze. Don’t know if Auburn had a Plan C. Bears watching.”
As many may recall, Freeze was caught cheating at Ole Miss and also using school phones to call escorts. That, among other things in his past, is one of the reasons many Tiger fans don’t want to have anything to do with him in spite of his success at Liberty.
I have to say, I don't understand the Auburn fan base backlash on Hugh Freeze. Last I checked, your basketball coach is Bruce Pearl.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) November 27, 2022
After this weekend’s decent showing against Alabama in the Iron Bowl, some Auburn fans are pushing for the interim tag to be taken off Cadillac Williams. Williams seems to have brought back excitement and competitiveness to this team who, until Saturday, won their last three games since he took over.
At this point, Auburn may not have any viable choice.
