Back in the SEC, Hugh Freeze aims to make Auburn relevant again, upend Alabama in Year 1

Hugh Freeze has been searching for a second chance to coach in the SEC ever since he resigned from Ole Miss in the summer of 2017 amid a personal conduct scandal. Auburn gave him that chance last November when it hired Freeze following the two-year failed Bryan Harsin experiment. Freeze is more than halfway through his inaugural spring practice session, laying the foundation for what Tiger fans hope is an immediate turnaround.

For Freeze, that turnaround must include wins over rival Alabama. Freeze led the Rebels to back-to-back wins over the Crimson Tide in 2014 and 2015 despite having rosters that didn’t match their depth and overall talent. Auburn hasn’t topped Alabama since 2019, and optimism that Freeze can break that streak was undoubtedly part of the reason the former Liberty coach was so attractive. 

Let’s catch up on Auburn’s progress, and what needs to be done prior to the spring game on April 8 to set the tone for the remainder of the offseason.

Offseason changes

The head coaching change drew headlines, but the Tigers’ two new coordinators also turned heads. Former Tulsa head coach Philip Montgomery has taken over the offense, and ex-Baylor defensive coordinator Ron Roberts will call the plays for the defense. 

Montgomery cut his teeth under the famed Art Briles offense, and his play-calling prowess has never been in doubt. The Bears finished finished tops in the Big 12 in total offense over each of Montgomery’s last four seasons in Waco from 2011-14 — and led the nation during the final two seasons. That up-tempo, wide-open offense fits perfectly with what Freeze ran at Liberty and Ole Miss. 

Roberts’ 2021 defense in Waco led the conference and finished seventh in the nation in turnovers gained with 27. That played a big part in the Bears’ run to the Big 12 Championship Game, which culminated with a win over Oklahoma State. 

Names to know

• Robby Ashford, quarterback: You probably already know the name since Ashford started the majority of Auburn’s games last season, but his second year on the Plains becomes more compelling with Freeze’s arrival. Freeze made passing stars out of Bo Wallace and Chad Kelly in Oxford, and Ashford’s 1,613 yards and seven passing touchdowns give Freeze at least a little hope that he can mold the speedster into enough of a passer to make him dangerous behind center. It’s not like Ashford has to be Tom Brady out there. All Freeze…