Hugh Freeze hints at future golf matchup vs. Nick Saban

It isn’t fall yet, but Hugh Freeze is ready to compete. During an appearance on “The Next Round,” the Auburn head coach teased a potential showdown against former Alabama head coach Nick Saban on the golf course.

“He and I both would love that opportunity and it’d be a good match,” Freeze said. “I think Auburn and Alabama people would buy into it. I could even talk him into doing autographs and stuff before and after it. I’d love to have that match played.”

Although Saban retired earlier this year, he still has no shortage of competitiveness. Freeze is all too familiar with Saban’s ability to win. In Freeze’s lone meeting against Saban in the storied Iron Bowl, Saban pulled off a miraculous win.

After Auburn wide receiver Koy Moore muffed a punt late in the fourth quarter, the Crimson Tide were in perfect position to score. However, the Tigers’ defense held up, forcing Alabama into a seemingly impossible fourth and goal from the 31-yard line.

Yet, after what seemed like an eternity in the pocket, Crimson Tide QB Jalen Milroe did the impossible, air-mailing a perfect spiral over Auburn defensive back DJ James‘ head straight into Isaiah Bond‘s arms in the end zone to give Alabama the lead.

With only 30 seconds left, Auburn failed to strike back. Alabama walked away with the win and used the momentum to defeat Georgia in the SEC Championship to advance to the College Football Playoff. Now, Freeze is ready to get his revenge on Saban in an unfamiliar environment.

Hugh Freeze is keeping his enemy close

Freeze is familiar with the hall-of-fame head coach’s golf game. The pair both participated in the 2024 Regions Tradition Pro-Am earlier this week. Further, they’ve played together in the past outside of the public eye.

“Nick and I, we were in Jupiter for spring break and played golf together,” Freeze said on Wednesday at the Regions Pro-Am. “We actually talk fairly regularly now. It’s peaceful. Everybody knows I love Nick and we’re really good friends away from the field when we don’t play each other.

“Coach Saban can get it in the hole,” Freeze said. “That was back in March when I hadn’t been playing any. I think he got the best of me, but I look forward to a rematch now that I’m playing some.”

Perhaps Saban will take him up on the offer. There’s no doubt Alabama and Auburn fans would be to cheer on their beloved coaches.