Paul Finebaum Says Hugh Freeze Has Lost the Summer, Questions His Future at Auburn
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze is facing growing criticism, with recent trolling from Lane Kiffin and frequent mentions on sports talk radio. So, how did things take a turn for the worse?
The main issue appears to be Auburn’s recruiting struggles, which have followed a rocky 11-14 start to Freeze’s tenure. The momentum is lacking, and Freeze’s actions off the field, such as his frequent golf outings, have only added to the frustration, eroding support among fans and insiders. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum believes Freeze needs a serious wake-up call from someone close to him.
“Sometimes you need the people around you to step in,” Finebaum said on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning. “We all have teammates who hold us accountable. It’s important to have someone say, ‘Hey, enough’s enough.’ Someone needs to tell Hugh Freeze, ‘Coach, you’ve got to move past the excuses. Stop blaming Harsin and start focusing on the work ahead.’”
Finebaum continued by emphasizing that Freeze has “completely lost the summer,” a crucial time to build momentum, particularly in recruiting.
What seemed like an upward trajectory for Freeze has quickly turned into a crisis. Finebaum admitted he was surprised by how rapidly the situation unraveled.
“A few months ago, I thought Freeze was winning,” Finebaum remarked. “Recruiting was going great, everything seemed aligned, but now, just days before SEC Media Days, it feels like Auburn is losing its grip. The timing couldn’t be worse, because if the season starts poorly, the support Freeze once had may not be there anymore.”
With SEC Media Days approaching, Freeze has an opportunity to shift the narrative surrounding his program, but Finebaum believes it’s not going to be easy. If Freeze is to gain back any recruiting momentum—and turn things around during the season—he’ll need to act fast.
“I don’t know if he can fix it in a week, but he better try,” Finebaum said. “Being forceful isn’t really Freeze’s style. He’s a savvy guy who’s generally well-liked, but there’s always been a group that remains suspicious of him, critiquing him for being thin-skinned and insecure. I’m curious what he’s thinking right now. One good interview or a solid performance in Atlanta won’t change everything.”
So, what will? Finebaum’s answer is simple: win.
“As we all know, the solution is to get out there in late August and September and change the narrative with wins,” Finebaum said. “That’s the only way forward. If Freeze had built enough goodwill with the fans and recruits, a seven- or eight-win season could still justify backing him. But now, I’m not sure that support is there anymore.”
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