John Cohen, Hugh Freeze react to reports SEC could increase penalty for field storming

Auburn Athletics Director John Cohen, football coach Hugh Freeze and basketball coach Bruce Pearl covered a variety of topics during a recent stop in Atlanta.

The trio attended an Auburn Ambush tour stop for fans earlier this week and also held a media session at the event.

One of the topics the group was asked about was a recent report stating that fines could increase for SEC teams whose fans rush the field or court after a big win.

According to Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated, potential increased penalties could include forfeiting home games.

As the rules currently stand, it is a $50,000 fine for the first offense for storming a field or court, $100,000 for the second offense and $250,000 for each additional instance after that.

“Nobody wants to take away the fun from the fans, but there’s a safety element here and it’s very important. I think we all recognize that,” Cohen said. “Safety’s gotta be the most important thing.”

While Cohen clearly believes that safety is important, he also seems open to some sort of a compromise that allows fans to still celebrate big wins in a unique way.

“I think there’s gotta be a way to preserve the fun for the fans and create that environment that makes the Southeastern Conference so special,” Cohen continued. “But also provide safety for everybody involved. I feel really confidently we can get there.”

Hugh Freeze, Bruce Pearl offer thoughts

Auburn head football coach Hugh Freeze offered a little humor when discussing his thoughts on penalties potentially being increased for storming the field.

“I hope we have some games that we win soon that people want to storm the field,” Freeze said. “I hope we have some that it feels like you would want to do that for but we would abide by whatever the administration and SEC decides is the safest manner to celebrate.”

Freeze is entering his first season as the head coach at Auburn, after spending the past four years at Liberty.

He is familiar with the SEC, having coached at Ole Miss from 2012-2016.

Pearl added that he has an alternative idea for storming the court or field.

“After one or two of those wins, I’m just going to lead everybody down to Toomer’s Corner and let’s just throw toilet paper,” he said. “And that’s what we’ll do when we win.”

Pearl just wrapped up his ninth season at Auburn. The Tigers finished the 2022-23 season with a 21-13 record, including a 10-8 mark in SEC play.