Auburn Fires Hugh Freeze After 4–5 Start, Eyes Jimbo Fisher and James Franklin as Potential Replacements

Auburn University made a decisive move Sunday, dismissing head coach Hugh Freeze after a 4–5 start to the 2025 football season. The decision followed Saturday’s loss to Kentucky, which effectively ended the Tigers’ hopes of a winning campaign and continued a troubling pattern of inconsistency for the program.

Freeze’s tenure ends less than three full seasons into his contract, as Auburn’s offense sputtered and the team failed to gain traction in the SEC. The Tigers have struggled to recapture their national prominence in recent years, cycling through coaches and failing to build sustained success since their 2010 championship run under Gene Chizik.

Athletic director John Cohen is now tasked with leading another high-stakes coaching search, one that could reshape the direction of Auburn football for the next decade. According to The Athletic, two high-profile names have already surfaced as leading candidates: former Penn State head coach James Franklin and former Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher.

Both bring SEC experience, proven track records, and name recognition—qualities Auburn hopes will help stabilize a program that has struggled to meet expectations since its last double-digit win season in 2019.

1. Familiar Names Lead Early Candidate List

Fisher’s ties to Auburn make him an immediate and logical candidate. Before becoming a national champion at Florida State and later coaching at Texas A&M, the 60-year-old began his coaching career in Alabama. He played quarterback at Samford and later served as Auburn’s quarterbacks coach for six seasons, developing several standout passers during the 1990s. “If Fisher really wants back into coaching and Auburn is game, this might be very tempting for him,” wrote Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. Fisher’s offensive pedigree and familiarity with the SEC could appeal to Auburn’s leadership, especially given the program’s recent struggles developing quarterbacks and maintaining offensive consistency. Franklin, meanwhile, represents another intriguing option. The 12-year Penn State veteran was dismissed earlier this season after a string of underwhelming performances in Big Ten play, but his earlier success at Vanderbilt continues to resonate across the SEC. During his three years in Nashville, Franklin engineered one of the conference’s most surprising turnarounds, leading the Commodores to consecutive nine-win seasons—an achievement that remains rare in program history. Feldman noted that Franklin is already a “top target” for Virginia Tech’s vacancy but might find Auburn’s tradition and resources more appealing. With both coaches currently available and multiple Power 4 jobs open—including Florida, LSU, and Oklahoma State—Auburn will need to move quickly to secure its preferred candidate.

2. A Rebuild Awaits the Next Head Coach

Whoever takes the reins at Auburn will inherit a program in need of repair. Freeze’s tenure, while marked by occasional flashes of potential, never translated into consistent results. The Tigers failed to post a winning record in any of his three seasons, and their offensive production lagged behind most of the SEC. Defensively, Auburn showed effort but struggled against elite competition, often fading late in games. The Tigers’ inability to close out winnable matchups against conference rivals underscored the growing frustration among fans and boosters alike. Auburn’s once-feared home-field advantage at Jordan-Hare Stadium has also waned amid declining attendance and on-field inconsistency. Still, the program’s foundation remains strong. Auburn’s storied history—including multiple national titles, Heisman Trophy winners, and one of the sport’s most passionate fan bases—ensures that the job remains one of the most desirable in college football. The challenge will be restoring credibility in an era of NIL-driven recruiting battles and increased parity across the SEC. Another name reportedly under consideration is Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall, who has guided the Green Wave to consecutive winning seasons. His reputation as a disciplined, defense-first leader could appeal to Auburn if the school opts for a younger, program-building approach.

3. Auburn Seeks Stability After Years of Turnover

The decision to move on from Freeze underscores Auburn’s ongoing struggle for continuity. Since 2018, the Tigers have cycled through multiple head coaches and coordinators, creating an atmosphere of constant change that has hindered long-term progress. With Freeze’s departure, Auburn must now focus on finding a candidate capable of rebuilding not just the roster but also the program’s identity. Auburn’s leadership is expected to prioritize candidates with SEC experience, recruiting acumen, and the ability to navigate the growing complexities of college football’s transfer and NIL landscape. Both Fisher and Franklin fit that mold, though the school could also look to rising mid-major coaches if initial negotiations stall. In the short term, Auburn’s players must regroup quickly. The Tigers face Vanderbilt next weekend, with interim leadership expected to guide the team for the remainder of the season. While bowl eligibility remains a mathematical possibility, attention has already shifted toward the offseason and the search for a new direction. For a program defined by high expectations and passionate support, Auburn’s next hire will carry enormous stakes. The fan base has made clear that patience is wearing thin, and whoever steps in must deliver both immediate credibility and a vision for sustained success.