Hugh Freeze Coaching History & Bio

Hugh Freeze is entering his third season as Auburn Tigers head football coach.

Hugh Freeze Teams Coached	Years Coached	Hugh Freeze Overall Record
Arkansas State	2011	10-3
Ole Miss	2012-2016	39-25
Liberty	2017-2022	34-15
Auburn	2023-Present	11-14 (5-11 SEC)

Hugh Freeze Record at Auburn

Season	Record (SEC)
2024	5-7 (2-6)
2023	6-7 (3-5)

Hugh Freeze Coaching History

• 1992-94: Briarcrest High School (TN) — Offensive coordinator/defensive backs coach
• 1995-2004: Briarcrest High School (TN) — Head coach
• 2006-07: Ole Miss — Tight ends coach/recruiting coordinator
• 2008-09: Lambuth (NAIA) — Head coach
• 2010: Arkansas State — Offensive coordinator
• 2011: Arkansas State — Head coach
• 2012-16: Ole Miss — Head coach
• 2019-22: Liberty — Head coach
• 2023-present: Auburn — Head coach

Hugh Freeze Coaching History

Hugh Freeze returned to the SEC in 2023, taking the head coaching job at Auburn. Freeze previously saw experience in the SEC as an assistant for Ole Miss before rising to prominence as the head coach of the Rebels.

From 2012-16, Freeze led a resurgence for Ole Miss, with a 39-25 overall record for the Rebels. That stretch included a 27-12 overall record from 2013-15 and a Sugar Bowl win over Oklahoma State.

Also included in that stretch are back-to-back wins over Nick Saban and Alabama, putting Freeze in the ultra-elite company of head coaches to beat Saban’s Crimson Tide program in back-to-back meetings. The Rebels beat Alabama 23-17 in Oxford during the 2014 season before a 43-37 win for Ole Miss in Tuscaloosa during the 2015 season. Those are still the only wins for Ole Miss in the series with Alabama since 2008.

Unfortunately, things went off the rails for Freeze during the summer of 2017. He eventually resigned from his post at Ole Miss following a report that Freeze used his university-issued phone to call an escort service.

Freeze’s tenure at Ole Miss was further mired by an NCAA investigation that included a 2-year ban from the postseason. The Rebels were eventually forced to vacate 33 wins, including 27 victories from Freeze’s time leading the program.

After the resignation and scandal at Ole Miss, Freeze spent time away from coaching. In December of 2018, he officially returned to the head coaching ranks by accepting the top job at Liberty.

From the 2019-22 seasons, Freeze revamped his stock as a head coach. He led the Flames to a bowl game every season, going 34-15 overall with 3 bowl victories for the program. Freeze also produced a top-25 finish for Liberty after going 10-1 during the 2020 season.

Prior to accepting the head coaching position at Ole Miss, Freeze shined as an OC (2010) and head coach in the Sun Belt while at Arkansas State. He led the Red Wolves to a 10-2 regular-season record while averaging 32.5 points per game during the 2011 season.

Freeze’s first stint in the SEC came as an assistant for Ed Orgeron’s staff at Ole Miss. Freeze served as a TEs coach and recruiting coordinator for Orgeron prior to Coach O’s firing following the 2007 season.

After his stint as an assistant at Ole Miss, Freeze’s first collegiate head coaching experience came in the NAIA at Lambuth University. Freeze went 20-5 overall before leaving for Arkansas State.

Freeze also spent time at Briarcrest High School (Tennessee) early in his coaching career. He spent over a decade with the program, including 10 years as a head coach before his time as an assistant at Ole Miss.

Freeze holds a Sun Belt Championship from the 2011 season at Arkansas State and a 5-2 career record in bowl games.

FAQs About Hugh Freeze

What is Hugh Freeze's Salary?

Freeze’s annual salary is $6.5 million, with an annual retention bonus of $225,000 paid each February 1. Included in the deal are monetary incentives for winning more than 5 SEC games, earning a bowl bid, winning an SEC championship and qualifying for the College Football Playoff.

What is the Length of Hugh Freeze's Contract?

Freeze’s annual salary is $6.5 million, with an annual retention bonus of $225,000 paid each February 1. Included in the deal are monetary incentives for winning more than 5 SEC games, earning a bowl bid, winning an SEC championship and qualifying for the College Football Playoff.

What is Hugh Freeze's Buyout?

Even though Freeze has only been at Auburn for 2 seasons, he’s already under significant fire. Should he be fired in 2025, he would be due a buyout of $13.8 million. While that doesn’t sound like a lot in the grand scheme of things, it could be prohibitive considering that the school is still paying for buyouts to previous coaches Guz Malzahn and Bryan Harsin. Freeze’s buyout shrinks to $7.3 million in 2026 and $3.5 million in 2027.

Is Hugh Freeze Being Treated For Cancer?

Freeze announced publicly on Feb. 28, 2025, that he had been diagnosed with an early form of prostate cancer. According to the Associated Press, the Auburn coach is expected to make a full recovery and will continue his normal coaching duties and responsibilities while undergoing treatment.

Why Did Hugh Freeze Leave Ole Miss?

Freeze came under scrutiny at Ole Miss in 2016 because of an NCAA investigation that held him responsible for recruiting and academic violations that led to 27 of his wins being vacated and a 2-year postseason ban for the program. He eventually resigned under pressure in 2017 after the self-professed born-again Christian was discovered that he had used a university cell phone to make dozens of calls to escort services while traveling on business trips using a university-owned private plane.