Hugh Freeze’s tenure at Auburn came to an abrupt end on November 2. But the circumstances of his departure have raised uncomfortable questions about whether his health struggles played a role in the collapse of his program. The collapse was hard to watch for anyone who remembered what Freeze once was. When this was asked to a former Auburn center, Cole Cubelic offered a sobering take on what went wrong. 

ESPN’s Ari Wasserman asked, and the former Tiger didn’t pull punches. “Ari, I’m careful with how I say this because I don’t know the details of Hugh Freeze’s health, and we know that he was diagnosed with cancer,” Cubelic said. “Apparently, it’s under control, and it’s been okay, but I don’t know his energy levels. I don’t know how he sleeps at night. I don’t know how he feels walking around every day, and I do think those are things we should at least take into some consideration, but I think there was a bit of the fire that just wasn’t there.”

Freeze had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in February. Fortunately, the doctors caught it early enough that the HC opted against immediate surgery since the cancer was deemed low-aggressive. He planned to reevaluate his health in January, but the toll on his body became increasingly apparent as the season progressed.​ Cubelic elaborated on just how demanding the job is and why Hugh Freeze’s diminished energy may have been catastrophic.

“The relentless attitude, style, demeanor that you must possess to be a successful coach in this league. And by the way, that goes to a lot of areas. It’s not just X’s and O’s watching film, it’s recruiting, it’s managing, it’s developing relationships.” Cubelic added, “It’s talking to those donors. It’s talking to the fans. It’s being in different places. All of it requires a ton.” Freeze’s daughter, Madi, later confirmed those concerns in a TikTok video.

She felt relieved that her father was finally out because she’d watched his health deteriorate over the months.​ But the off-field drama surrounding Hugh Freeze’s exit might be even messier than the on-field product.

According to a source close to the Auburn program, Freeze stepped down after a meeting with athletic director John Cohen at noon on November 2, but only after the university made multiple attempts to negotiate a reduced buyout. Reports indicate Auburn first approached the HC about renegotiating his buyout after the loss to Missouri, but he rejected those overtures.

After the humiliating 10-3 defeat to Kentucky, the university came back with another offer. This time, a deal was reached for Freeze to accept a reduced buyout in exchange for stepping down rather than being fired outright. The exact figures haven’t been confirmed, but it appears Auburn was prepared to litigate if Freeze refused to negotiate.​ The financial stakes were enormous.

Freeze’s six-year contract, signed in 2023, paid him $6.5 million annually, with a buyout clause guaranteeing 75 percent of the remaining contract value, roughly $15.8 million if Auburn terminated him before his tenure ended. Unlike many coaching contracts, the HC’s deal did not include a “duty to mitigate” clause, meaning he would receive the full buyout even if he took another coaching job elsewhere. That gave the 56-year-old significant leverage, which makes Auburn’s reported willingness to pursue legal action all the more curious. 

DJ Durkin’s three-game audition could save Auburn millions

The Tigers find themselves in an interesting spot where the next three weeks could completely reshape their coaching search. Auburn insider Mike Gittens laid out the stakes when asked about the rebuilding timeline: “If you can hold the roster together now, you’ve got a couple of options here doing this. When they did, I think it’s perfect, because you’ve got two top 15 matchups, and you’ve got a guy who essentially will be auditioning for the job, and DJ Durkin, if he wins the next three. Can you imagine not hiring that guy? Because if you keep them, you’re going to keep your defense together.” 

It’s a pretty compelling argument when you consider the positive impact of Durkin’s defense. It is one of only three teams in the entire FBS that haven’t allowed more than 24 points in a single game this season. Yet Auburn still sits at 4-5. The formula to win games, show some offensive life, and retain the roster. Do that, and Durkin might just coach his way into the permanent gig without Auburn having to navigate another expensive search.​

The early signs suggest Durkin knows exactly where the problem lies. He’s already appointed Derrick Nix as the primary offensive play-caller, which tells you everything about what sank Hugh Freeze’s tenure. Auburn’s offense has been borderline unwatchable despite having one of the best receiver rooms in college football. Gittens made it clear that this week’s game against Vanderbilt will be telling: if Auburn lights up the scoreboard offensively, Durkin and Nix are probably staying put. If they don’t? Then Auburn will have to open the checkbook again and pursue whoever Vegas has as the betting favorite.​