Paul Finebaum admits he's seen nothing from Hugh Freeze to believe he will make it at Auburn

For the second time in the last three games, the Auburn Tigers have given up a double-digit second half lead in a loss to an SEC opponent. Defeated by Missouri 21-17 this Saturday to drop their record to a disappointing 2-5 on the seasons with zero wins versus SEC opponents.

There’s no question that this year is not going the way that Hugh Freeze likely imagined in his second season as the head coach for the Tigers. So much so that college football analyst Paul Finebaum does not see a light at the end of the tunnel for Freeze at Auburn.

“So I hate to be to qualify my answer, because recruiting has been so good, but I have seen nothing from Hugh Freeze on the actual football field that makes me believe that he will make it as the Auburn coach,” Finebaum said Monday on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning. “I am amazed at some of the decisions that I see, some of the things that are coming from him, some of the things that are coming from his mouth before and after games.”

Aside from Auburn’s record, Freeze has faced criticism on what’s supposed to be his biggest area of expertise. With his decision-making and management at the quarterback position being questioned and the Tigers scoring just 16.2 points per game in their four conference matchups this season.

“I know that may sound harsh, but I’m just being real, and I wonder if Auburn really wasn’t sold the bill of goods on him. If you take away those wins against Nick Saban, what exactly has Hugh Freeze accomplished as a head football coach?” Finebaum asked. “And I know what his record was at Liberty, and I really don’t care. I’m looking at Ole Miss and Auburn, and he has been a failure as the Auburn head coach in my mind.”

Auburn has failed to surpass six wins since the 2019 season under Gus Malzahn. A mark that would take a 4-1 finish to the season by Freeze on a schedule that currently features three ranked opponents. As Freeze’s early success in recruiting continues to not match success on the field.

“And I know Bryan Harsin was fired at this point two years ago with a better record by a game or two, but that’s not really telling the story. I’ve said it repeatedly, I like what Hugh Freeze has done in recruiting, I like the fact that he brought some some some stability back to this program. But on the football field, which is really where you are ultimately judged, I don’t like anything I’m seeing,” Finebaum explained.

“You asked me is there anything to be salvaged from this season, no. Not much, I mean this season has been a complete and total disaster for my standpoint.”