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What Hugh Freeze, Bruce Pearl, AD John Cohen said at Auburn alumni event in Atlanta

Justin Hokansonby:Justin Hokanson•04/25/23•

_JHokanson

Auburn HC Hugh Freeze
Austin Perryman | AU Athletics

ATLANTA, Ga. — Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze and Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl were in Atlanta, Georgia on Tuesday evening to speak at the “Ambush” alumni event at the J.W. Marriott in Buckhead. Freeze and Pearl were accompanied by Director of Athletics John Cohen.

The group will also speak to the Huntsville alumni group on April 27, the Nashville group on May 16, and the West Georgia group on May 17.

The trio spoke with the media prior to the event in Atlanta and below are highlights of what they said:

— Pearl on Corey Williams: “Really excited about Corey.” Pearl mentions he was a great student-athlete playing basketball and football, mentions Williams’ coaching tree and coaches he’s worked with, saying “it speaks volumes. — It checks a lot of boxes.”

— Freeze on the importance of the Atlanta area: “There’s so many SEC caliber players. We have to win our share of battles here.”

— Pearl on the importance of the Atlanta area: “Birmingham has the most students at Auburn, and Atlanta is next. From a recruiting standpoint, this has been unbelievable for us. We’ve had six players from Atlanta drafted.”

— Pearl said Auburn will have another “great opponent” for the Holiday Hoopsgiving in Atlanta this fall.

— “I hope we have some games we win soon that people want to storm the field.” Hugh Freeze says after the question was asked about the SEC possibly penalizing programs for fans storming the field.

— Pearl mentions there’s no reason Allen Flanigan will declare anything given he’s already declared twice. If he declares again, he has to stay in. Pearl expects Flanigan to graduate and weigh his options.

— Pearl was asked about Wes Flanigan and said they thank him for his contributions to Auburn and wish him well. The answer was short and sweet.

— Pearl said they’ll bring in “at least one, maybe two more” transfers.

— Pearl adds, “I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t utilize all 13 scholarships.”

— Freeze said the clock not stopping after first downs won’t change the game plans at all.

— Freeze on the spring portal: “We didn’t know what to expect. It’s been slower, and I’m not sure that’s a bad thing. It’s been slower than what we’ve anticipated. It looked like it picked up the last couple of days.”

— Cohen on the SEC permanent opponents: “We have to make that decision.” Mentions decisions needing to be made.

— Freeze on approach to the spring portal: “You sit here and do what’s best for Auburn, and that’s now always enjoyable by all. It’s tough to manage the 85. … It’s a challenge.” Freeze just talked about things being difficult when you don’t know what to expect.

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