Hugh Freeze

Hugh Freeze is introduced at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala., on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022.

Hugh Freeze enters the 2023 season with a return to the SEC, taking the head coaching job at Auburn this offseason. 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.

HUGH FREEZE’S COACHING EXPERIENCE

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

HEAD COACHING RECORD

Lambuth (NAIA, 2 seasons): 20-5 (10-1 in Mid-South Conference)
Arkansas State (1 season): 10-2 (8-0 in Sun Belt Conference)
Ole Miss (5 seasons): 39-25 (19-21 in SEC)
Liberty (4 seasons): 34-15