Paul Finebaum: Hugh Freeze 'flawlessly' handled transition back into SEC

When Auburn hired Hugh Freeze as its new football coach, there was some initial backlash. While it’s a return to the SEC for the former Ole Miss head coach, concerns grew about the way things ended in Oxford and some issues that came up at his next stop at Liberty.

During his introductory press conference, Freeze asked Auburn fans to give him a chance to earn their trust. Paul Finebaum said it appears that has happened as Freeze successfully made the transition back to the SEC.

“Not only did it happen, Matt. It happened flawlessly,” Finebaum told Matt Barrie about Freeze’s move back to the league. “All the hue and cry about what he did or didn’t do or why he got fired, it was over in five seconds. He handled his introduction brilliantly. I’ve seen Hugh a couple of times at events and he’s just very cool. … I give him an A-plus-plus for the way he’s handled it.”

Paul Finebaum: ‘Auburn fans are just enthusiastic’ as Hugh Freeze era gets underway

Finebaum also talked about the situation Freeze is inheriting. He’s taking over for Bryan Harsin, whose tenure on The Plains — suffice to say — didn’t go well. Harsin had a hard time winning over both fans and boosters as he went 9-12 in less than two seasons at the helm.

Freeze, however, appears to have brought new life to the fan base. After all, he beat Nick Saban and Alabama in back-to-back years while at Ole Miss, meaning he’s had success in the SEC before against Auburn’s fiercest rival. Add in some big pick-ups from the transfer portal, and Tigers fans seem to be happy with where things stand entering the 2023 season.

“Not only that, Auburn fans are just enthusiastic,” Finebaum said. “They are on board. It has as much to do with the person who replaced. Bryan Harsin, no debating here whether he’s a good football coach. He was a terrible fit. Not his fault he took the job. But he neutered any level of enthusiasm.

“Freeze has said, ‘You know what? I’m I know this league. I’m not afraid of Big Bad Nick Saban. I’ve already beaten him twice. I can handle these guys.’ And Auburn fans are just clapping and screaming and chanting and think that they’re back. It won’t take much for Hugh Freeze to seal that deal, and I think he’s got a good chance of doing it.”