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Auburn Fires Hugh Freeze, Names D.J. Durkin Interim Head Coach

Auburn acted after sustained offensive failures that fueled escalating fan discontent.

Overview

  • Freeze was dismissed Sunday, a day after a 10-3 home loss to Kentucky dropped the Tigers to 4-5 overall and 1-5 in SEC play.
  • Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin was appointed interim head coach for the remainder of the season, according to multiple reports and the Associated Press.
  • Auburn’s offense sputtered again against Kentucky, with quarterbacks Ashton Daniels and Jackson Arnold sacked seven times and the team limited to 241 total yards.
  • Freeze departs with a 15-19 overall record and a 6-16 mark in SEC games at Auburn, including 1-12 against ranked opponents and persistent one-score losses.
  • Contract reporting indicates Auburn owes Freeze roughly $15.4–$15.8 million in buyout payments, after administrators and top boosters weighed his future postgame.