Tag: Bryan Harsin

How quickly can Hugh Freeze bring Auburn back to standard? ESPN weighs in

Freeze is on the right track to turning Auburn around. But how long will it take to show on the field?

After firing head coach [autotag]Gus Malzahn[/autotag] after going 68-35 in eight seasons, Auburn felt that [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] would be an acceptable alternative.

The decision seemed to backfire, as Auburn fired Harsin just 21 games into his tenure. He finished 9-12 after a solid start which saw Auburn reach 6-2 in 2021. Harsin would lose the final five games of that season, and would only manage to win three games in 2022 before getting the can.

ESPN’s Bill Connelly pointed out that six of the preceding head coaches following the [autotag]Shug Jordan[/autotag] era had at least one top-15 finish and a run of success before being fired. That streak ended with Harsin.

Now it is time for [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] to lead the program. How long will it take for him to turn things around? Connelly weighs in.

Connelly believes that Auburn made the right move by hiring Freeze due to his success against Auburn’s main rivals, Alabama and Georgia, during his time at Ole Miss. Not only that, but he has a proven track record of producing explosive offenses and winning recruiting battles.

While there is no accurate way to forecast Freeze’s overall success, Connelly believes that he will be off to a great start in 2023.

A soft nonconference slate should assure bowl eligibility or something close, but it’s still hard to tell how many games Auburn might win in Freeze’s first season. The roster had to be spackled together after imbalance and attrition issues. Auburn’s 2022 offense could only run, so Freeze brought in Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne and five receiver transfers. The offensive line lost six of last year’s top seven, so he inked four transfers there. The run defense was dreadful, so he signed nine defensive line and linebacker transfers.

Freeze is one of two first-year head coaches that will navigate the SEC this season. Mississippi State named defensive coordinator Zach Arnett as its permanent head coach following the unfortunate passing of head coach Mike Leach.

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Auburn back in the picture for five star CB

“Flipmas” was a success in 2023. Can Hugh Freeze work his magic on Alabama commit Jaylen Mbakwe?

The state of Alabama’s top 2024 recruit has been a lock for Alabama since last July. However, [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] is working to change his mind.

[autotag]Jaylen Mbakwe[/autotag], a five-star cornerback from Clay-Chalkville in metro Birmingham, took an official visit to Auburn last weekend. During his visit, Freeze and defensive assistants [autotag]Wesley McGriff[/autotag] and [autotag]Zac Etheridge[/autotag] told Mbakwe that they were making him a priority this recruiting cycle, which may have him changing his tune when it comes to Auburn.

Mbakwe admitted to Christian Clemente of Auburn Undercover that Auburn was high on his list when [autotag]Gus Malzahn[/autotag] was the head coach on the Plains, but he put Auburn aside when [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] took over. He says that Freeze opened his eyes during his recent visit.

“I like to look in-state first. It kind of opened my eyes,” Mbakwe said in an interview with Auburn Undercover. This was the place I first wanted to come before the coaching change. I kind of backed off with coach (Bryan) Harsin here. With coach Freeze and the new staff, it kind of opened my eyes.”

Not only does Mbakwe want to compete on the gridiron at the next level, but he is also looking to run track. While on his visit, he spent time with Auburn Track and Field head coach [autotag]Leroy Burrell[/autotag].

“The track coaches are great,” Mbakwe said. “I came down for a track practice once. They were really fast. I see myself being one of those guys, a 9.9 guy.”

After his visit, Mbakwe says that Auburn has a chance to flip his decision and that he plans to return to campus in July for Big Cat Weekend.

RELATED: Meet the top 2024 prospects from the state of Alabama

Mbakwe is the No. 1 prospect from the state of Alabama for the 2024 cycle according to 247Sports and is the No. 19 athlete in the nation.

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Looking into Hugh Freeze’s incentive package at Auburn

Freeze could earn upwards of $3 million by completing several tasks.

It has taken nearly seven months for full details of [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag]’s contract at Auburn to emerge, but it appears that the Tigers’ leading man will have plenty of opportunities to make extra cash.

Freeze will be making $6.5 million annually to coach the Auburn Tigers, but what type of bonus money will Freeze have the opportunity to rake in during his time on the Plains?

According to the Opelika-Auburn News, which filed an open records request with Auburn University, here’s a look at Freeze’s incentives:

  • Five SEC wins would bring in $150,000 for Freeze plus an additional $150,00 for each SEC win after. An SEC Championship game appearance would mean $200,000 for Freeze while winning the game would mean $400,000.
  • A National Championship game appearance would be worth $1 million for Freeze while winning it all would be worth $2 million.
  • An appearance in a non-SEC group of six Bowl game would earn Freeze $50,000 while going to the Citrus Bowl or an SEC group of six Bowl game would allow Freeze to pocket $150,000.
  • Winning SEC Coach of the Year and one of the National Coach of the Year awards would be worth $75,000 apiece.
  • Personal appearances and endorsements earn Freeze $3,125,000 annually.

Freeze officially became Auburn’s head coach on Nov. 28, 2022, following the dismissal of [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] just under a month prior. Freeze holds a record of 83-43 as a head coach at the FBS level and is 6-2 in bowl games.

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Auburn among top teams destined to rebound in 2023

Athlon Sports predicts the Tigers to go bowling after sustaining a five-win campaign last season.

Auburn went through a rough patch last season by sustaining a 5-7 season. The losing season sparked a coaching change as [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] was relieved of his duties on Oct. 31.

Things are trending upward for the Tigers, as [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] has brought a new sense of confidence to the Auburn fanbase by recruiting and utilizing the transfer portal to find the best players for positions of need.

Because of the noticeable difference in overall morale, Athlon Sports feels that Auburn will be one of five teams that will rebound in 2023.

Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassan recently shared five teams that he sees improving from their 2022 campaign. Auburn joins a list of programs such as Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Nebraska, and Miami that are poised to get back to normal this season.

When discussing Auburn, Lassan shared that the Tigers’ lack of creating points, plus their struggles with stopping the run, led to a disappointing season. However, recent upgrades should get Auburn back on track.

The arrival of Hugh Freeze and a solid staff is the biggest reason Auburn should improve in ’23. Freeze and coordinator Philip Montgomery should jumpstart the offense, and the transfer portal additions of quarterback Payton Thorne (Michigan State) and four potential starters on a thin offensive line are another reason for optimism. Also, running back Jarquez Hunter should have a breakout year. The Tigers are solid in the secondary, and similar to the offense, a couple of transfer portal additions are slated to boost the line of scrimmage.

Several positions that received boosts this offseason include running back, offensive line, and quarterback. The new-look Tigers will begin their run to a bowl game on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Jordan-Hare Stadium against UMass.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

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The fighter: T.J. Finley continues to face competition head on

Finley is keeping a positive attitude during the ongoing quarterback battle.

The 2023 season was a tested one for Auburn quarterback [autotag]T.J. Finley[/autotag].

After winning the quarterback battle during the summer, Finley would go on to play in just three games before a shoulder injury sidelined him for most of the season.

In those three games, however, he endured heavy criticism after throwing four interceptions to just one touchdown. Once his shoulder was back in playing shape, he elected to take a leave of absence from the program over the final four games of the season.

“I’m not really sure what triggered it, what prompted it,” Finley said Saturday when explaining his leave of absence. “I like to leave the past in the past and focus on the future. All I know is I’m a completely better person now mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and hopefully who I am right now can lead this team to a national championship.”

Now that he has returned to the team under new leadership, he is ready and willing to do whatever it takes to win the starting quarterback role. He says that it is his nature to compete, and he feels that he can contend with any quarterback in the country.

“I believe I can compete with anybody in the country, and that’s why I transferred here from LSU; I felt like I can compete with [autotag]Bo Nix[/autotag],” Finley said. “Competition doesn’t scare me. I know who I am. I know what I can do, and with the right coaches, I know who I can grow into, and hopefully, this is the place. Competition brings the best out of everybody, and if you can’t handle competition, you don’t need to be in this industry.”

Now that Auburn’s football staff includes the likes of [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag], [autotag]Philip Montgomery[/autotag], and [autotag]Kent Austin[/autotag], former Auburn running back Tank Bigsby says that Finley will have the best chance to compete as opposed to his chances during the [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] years.

“All the adversity he’s been through, he keeps going. He keeps fighting. He’s looking for more. I can relate to guys like that,” Bigsby said during the NFL combine in March. “He’s great. He’s going to be great. He’ll be fine. He’s just going to get around the right guys, and I feel like he is now. The right coaches are in, and he’s going to do what he has to do.”

Finley will be in stiff competition with [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] and [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag] for the top spot on Auburn’s quarterback depth chart. In last Saturday’s A-Day game, Finley completed one pass for four yards in a rain-soaked contest.

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Former Auburn head coach expresses high confidence in Hugh Freeze

Can Hugh Freeze challenge Nick Saban at Alabama? One former head coach seems to think so.

Former Auburn head coach [autotag]Gus Malzahn[/autotag] and current Auburn head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] share similar coaching backgrounds. Both made it big in the high school ranks before ultimately becoming successful at the highest level of college football.

So it is easy to see why both coaches have become great friends and show support to one another.

In a recent interview with Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated, Malzahn has confidence that Freeze will succeed at Auburn by saying that Freeze and Auburn are a good pair.

“I think Auburn and Hugh is a really good match. Auburn is an unbelievable place. Hugh is really, really good. I’m excited for both parties. You can win the whole thing there. Unbelievable fan base and support. He’s coming at a great time with NIL and the new facility. Everything came together.”

Malzahn was also asked to give his opinion on Freeze’s past which led to his resignation from Ole Miss following the 2016 season. Malzahn says that “everyone makes mistakes,” and that he hopes Auburn fans will give him a chance. Malzahn also feels that Freeze will sway more Auburn fans to join his side in one particular aspect.

“He’s going to be himself. He’s had success and he’s had success against Alabama. Not a lot of coaches have had success against Alabama. That’s what makes it a great match.”

Malzahn won 68 games during his eight-year span at Auburn from 2013-20. His tenure would see Auburn appear in the BCS National Championship in 2013, and in two SEC Championship games, winning the conference crown in 2013. He was ultimately relieved of his duties following the 2020 season, which made way for [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] to take the job. Harsin’s era was shortlived as he posted a 9-12 record in just 21 games coached. Freeze now holds the title of the head football coach at Auburn, boasting an 83-43 record between stops at Arkansas State, Ole Miss, and Liberty.

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Lane Kiffin opens up about his ties to Auburn job

The Ole Miss head coach was believed to be a contender for the Auburn vacancy before Hugh Freeze was ultimately hired.

Even before Auburn dismissed [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] from his position as head football coach in October, Ole Miss head coach [autotag]Lane Kiffin[/autotag] was believed to be the front-runner to be the program’s next leader.

Once the news of Harsin’s firing became official, rumors began to grow even more rampant.

Despite the rumored interest, Kiffin elected to stay at Ole Miss which led him to sign a hefty extension. More than four months after the speculation cooled off, Kiffin is opening up about the situation.

In a recent interview with Alex Scarborough of ESPN, Kiffin says that he struggled with the criticism he received despite making what he feels was the right move.

“We screw up all the time. But when you think you’re doing the right thing and then you’re really criticized for it — especially by your own people — I struggled with that because I feel like I went through a decision-making process that you’re supposed to go through,” Kiffin said. “I mean, you got to decide. It’s your life and your family’s life.”

Most of the criticism he received was due to his team’s performance over the final three weeks of the season. Auburn fired Harsin on Oct. 31, which was two days following Auburn’s 41-27 loss to Arkansas which moved their record to 3-5. Following that date, Ole Miss lost three straight games to Alabama, Arkansas, and rival Mississippi State.

Most believed that Ole Miss’ poor performance was due to Kiffin being distracted by the speculation of him leaving for Auburn. Kiffin says that he informed his team privately before the Rebels’ game against Mississippi State on Nov. 24 that he was indeed staying in Oxford.

“I felt that it would have been a distraction to make this big statement 24 hours before the game and making it about me,” Kiffin said. “So, I thought I was doing the right thing by saying, ‘OK, I’m going to avoid making this about me, you guys go play. But just so you know, you don’t have to sit here and worry that your coach is leaving tomorrow after the game or something. I’m staying, I just haven’t made it known publicly.’ I told them thinking that’s what obviously matters the most, and because we lost it wasn’t done right. If we won, nobody would’ve cared.”

Kiffin publically shot down the talks of his interest in Auburn following his team’s loss to Arkansas on Nov. 19 by saying that he was “very excited about the future.” Six days later, he reportedly signed a contract extension to stay at Ole Miss, which paved the way for [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] to earn the job.

Auburn’s decision to hire Freeze has been a positive one to this point, as Auburn has already seen an uptick in high school recruiting as well as transfer portal additions. The turnaround on the gridiron has yet to be seen, but his tenure off to a great start nonetheless.

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Florida hires former Auburn staffer under Bryan Harsin

Bryan Harsin’s offensive coordinator in 2022 will be staying in the SEC.

One of Bryan Harsin’s former assistant coaches is staying in the SEC.

Former Tigers offensive coordinator [autotag]Eric Kiesau[/autotag], who was recently let go by Auburn as new coach Hugh Freeze brought his own staff to the Plains, is set to join the Florida Gators in an analyst role as reported by Matt Zenitz of On3.

Kiesau came to Auburn in 2021 as an offensive analyst, but he was quickly promoted to wide receivers coach four games into the 2021 season. He was further promoted in 2022 when he earned the offensive coordinator job in Harsin’s second campaign — that wouldn’t last, though. Auburn struggled during the 2022 campaign on the offensive side of the ball, causing the Tigers to fire him and multiple other staff members on Halloween.

The Gators will hire Kiesau coming off a disappointing season in Gainesville, Florida, that saw Florida struggle to make a bowl game and get blown out in the Las Vegas Bowl against Oregon State. With quarterback Anthony Richardson declaring for the NFL draft, head coach Billy Napier looks to strengthen the offensive side of the ball through Kiseau’s hiring.

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Defense by the Numbers: Top Tigers based on snap count

Which defensive player saw the most action during the 2022 season?

The offseason is now here, which means it is time to take a look back at the season that was for Auburn Football.

The 2022 season ended in disappointment as the Tigers finished with a 5-7 record. Auburn fired its head coach, [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag], eight games into the season, which led to assistant coach [autotag]Cadillac Williams[/autotag] taking over and leading Auburn to a 2-2 record to close out the season.

Defensively, Auburn had great performances from such names as [autotag]D.J. James[/autotag], [autotag]Derick Hall[/autotag], [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag], and [autotag]Owen Pappoe[/autotag]. Their success translates to the time they spent on the field.

Auburn played a total of 894 plays on defense in 2022. Who saw the most playing time for Auburn on defense in 2022? Here’s a look at the data according to Pro Football Focus.

RELATED: Auburn Football’s top defensive players of 2022 according to Pro Football Focus

RELATED: Offense by the numbers: Top Tigers by snap count

Former Auburn DC Derek Mason resigns from same role at Oklahoma State

Mason was a member of Bryan Harsin’s inaugural staff as defensive coordinator in 2021.

A former member of Auburn football’s coaching staff has decided to take time away from the field.

[autotag]Derek Mason[/autotag], who was a part of [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag]’s first staff in 2021, announced Thursday he was stepping down from his role as defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State.

In a tweet, Mason said he plans to take a sabbatical from coaching to spend more time with his family and pursue other opportunities within college football. In his tweet, he also took time to show gratitude to Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy, Cowboys players and Cowboys staff.

After spending one season on The Plains, Mason stepped down from his role as Auburn’s defensive coordinator on Feb. 7, 2022, to take the same role at Oklahoma State. His departure came at a strange time. One week before Mason’s departure, [autotag]Austin Davis[/autotag] resigned as offensive coordinator after just 43 days in the job.

Under Mason, Auburn’s defense allowed 372 yards per game, including 126 on the ground. The Tigers allowed an average of 21 points per game.

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