Hugh Freeze 'disappointed' more wasn't accomplished last season, bullish about Year Two
AUBURN — Hugh Freeze answered a couple of questions pertaining to last season, but by the third question focused on looking back, Freeze seemed uninterested in talking about the past anymore.
“I don’t want to talk about the past anymore,” he said, when asked about RPO issues last season.
But he talked about it…some.
Auburn finished the regular season 6-6, lost a bowl game in blowout fashion, didn’t beat a ranked team, and struggled through all kinds of offensive issues, not to mention cultural issue inside the locker room. Freeze and players have attested to that.
On Thursday, as the Tigers start fall camp, Freeze took accountability for last season’s issues, but appears to be fully engaged in looking forward.
“One of the disappointing things is that I don’t think I got as much done on year one as I would have liked to have done,” Freeze said. “Culturally, chemistry, system, so it’s like a restart. It’s one that I’m excited about because of the chemistry I sense in the staff and the confidence in the players when they walk around. We are depending on young kids and that’s unknown how well they will perform, but I’m excited about their potential for sure.”
Freeze spent time on Wednesday night talking to the team about the word “gratitude.” It’s the theme of fall camp. He’s hoping an appreciation of the opportunities given, including his second chance coaching in the SEC, is an idea that resonates.
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“It’s a word I think we could all use a little more when we operate,” Freeze said. “The brevity of life is true, it’s real. My clock is ticking. I’ve lived over two-thirds of my life and I should be grateful for every single day that I have. Combine that with all the many blessings that Auburn has blessed me with, it should be received with gratitude. I addressed three things last night.”
Freeze said he wants his team to be dependent on each other to meet the standards agreed upon, adding, “the great teams do that.”
“There are three presumptions of pride we all have,” Freeze stated. “One being gossip, slander — we addressed it. We don’t do that. If we’re going to be a mature team, it stops with you in the locker room. The second is that we somehow have control over the plans we make. We don’t, we only have today. Maybe we should make the most of this day. The third is the wealth we received provides us some type of security and comfort and that it’s meant just for my kingdom and not for others.”
What might be different heading into Year Two?
“Me, and getting myself totally comfortable with everyone that’s in the building and getting the culture right within the team,” said Freeze. “I don’t know any time you take over a program that’s not had the success it desires. It takes a season or two to get the roster the way you want it, the culture the way you want it, but I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made since January. Everyone has worked with me before.” That’s mostly due to the leadership of our culture council and what they are demanding the standards are.”
