Dan Mullen reveals the key to Hugh Freeze's offensive success

As Auburn embarks on a new path after parting ways with Bryan Harsin, the Tigers are certainly hoping Hugh Freeze‘s offensive success carries over yet again to the SEC West.

He’s orchestrated some incredible runs before thanks to his innovative offensive style. Former Florida and Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said there’s one thing that really sticks out about Hugh Freeze’s offensive success, too.

“I think the understanding he has of the offense,” Mullen said on The Matt Barrie Show. “I think they do some unique things. They’re up-tempo, they’re going to spread the field, use different motions and formations. They’re going to change up maybe not plays as much, with this crazy schematic plays, but how they do it.”

Auburn has been fairly lifeless offensively the last couple years, in part due to poor quarterback play.

Freeze looked to remedy that problem by bringing in Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne, though Robby Ashford will almost certainly still be used thanks to the dimension he adds with his legs. But it’s the system itself that could really pay dividends for the Tigers.

“One of the things is you talk about, ‘Hey, we’re going to get in the same formation and run the same play. But one time we’re going to do it on super tempo, one time we’re going to do it slow looking to the sidelines, the next time we’re going to move and jump and quick-motion people to do it,'” Mullen explained. “So I think that’s stuff that causes problems.”

Auburn hasn’t fielded a top-50 offense since the 2017 season. That’s far too long on The Plains.

Tigers fans won’t readily settle for such substandard offensive play. But Hugh Freeze’s offensive success should carry over, so long as he can tap into the right personnel.

At least that’s the hope in Auburn.

“There’s one thing to have the playbook to be able to do that. I think Hugh has a great understanding of that offense and how to scratch where it itches,” Mullen said. “As soon as he sees your weakness, which is OK, when we run this formation and this play series out of super fast tempo, you struggle getting aligned. We’re only going to do that at a super fast tempo. Or hey, when we do super fast tempo these ways it’s not a problem for you, but when we put motion that becomes a problem.

“So I think he sees it and really knows the ins and outs of his offense that allows him to continue to apply pressure not just within the scheme but within the game.”