Overview

• Freeze owns a 44% career win rate after 6–7 and 5–7 seasons and is the first Auburn coach in 50 years to return for a third season following back-to-back losing records.
• Vegas sportsbooks set Auburn’s win total at 7.5 for 2025, exceeding ESPN’s SP+ projection of 6.9 wins and heightening must-surpass pressure on Freeze.
• The Tigers have secured only six commits for their 2026 class—dead last in the SEC—with multiple four-star prospects flipping to Georgia, Florida State and Kentucky.
• Analyst Josh Pate warned that Auburn is “on the clock” to produce a winning season, and rival coach Lane Kiffin mocked Freeze’s offseason golf post to underscore recruiting woes.
• Freeze is banking on five-star transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold to spark a turnaround after two losing campaigns without a bowl appearance.