Auburn University has officially parted ways with head coach Hugh Freeze, following a disappointing tenure that saw the team compile a record of 15–19 over three seasons. The decision was confirmed by John Cohen, the athletics director, on Sunday. Freeze’s buyout is set at $15.44 million, a move that aligns with a broader trend in college football, as 2025 may witness record levels of coaching buyouts amid an active coaching carousel.
As Auburn seeks a new leader for its football program, several potential candidates have emerged. The following individuals are viewed as strong contenders to take the helm.
Potential Candidates to Replace Hugh Freeze
Jimbo Fisher, the former head coach of Texas A&M, is a prominent name in discussions. Fisher boasts a national championship title from his time at Florida State and has deep connections to the Southeastern Conference (SEC), having served as Auburn’s quarterbacks coach in the 1990s. He guided Texas A&M from 2018 to 2023, making him an attractive option for the Tigers.
Another candidate is James Franklin, who was recently dismissed from his role as head coach at Penn State. Franklin led the Nittany Lions to the College Football Playoff semifinal round last season. While he has been linked to a potential opening at Virginia Tech, Auburn’s administration is expected to explore his interest in their head coaching position. Franklin previously coached in the SEC at Vanderbilt from 2011 to 2013.
Alex Golesh, currently the head coach at South Florida, is also generating buzz as a potential hire. Golesh previously served as the offensive coordinator at Tennessee and has compiled an overall record of 20-14 during his tenure at South Florida. His team is currently performing well, boasting a record of 6-2, and is in contention for a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
Another strong candidate is Brent Key, who heads the Georgia Tech program. Key grew up in Alabama and has experience in the SEC, having been an offensive line coach for the University of Alabama from 2016 to 2018. Under his leadership, Georgia Tech has achieved a 26-17 record over four seasons, and the team currently stands at 8-1, vying for an Atlantic Coast Conference championship and a potential CFP berth.
Lastly, Jon Sumrall from Tulane is in the conversation as well. With significant SEC ties, including playing linebacker at Kentucky and coaching at Ole Miss, Sumrall has had a successful coaching career. His record at Troy was impressive at 23-4, and he has continued that success with a 15-7 record at Tulane, positioning the Green Wave as contenders for the College Football Playoff in 2025.
As Auburn navigates this critical transition, the selection of the next head coach will be pivotal for the future direction of the football program. The coming weeks will likely bring more clarity on which of these candidates will take the reins as the Tigers aim to return to prominence in college football.
