Ryan Glasspiegel
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Hugh Freeze is the leading candidate to replace Gus Malzahn at Auburn, a source tells OutKick. Should Freeze wind up falling through, another potential candidate is Louisiana-Lafayette coach Billy Napier, the source said.
The tea leaves are out there for Freeze. Already, college football insiders are talking about the potential that Freeze, who previously coached Ole Miss, leaves Liberty to return to the SEC. Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated mentioned that he has a buyout:
Some notes on Hugh Freeze-Auburn:
– Freeze just signed a 6-year, $3 per year extension with Liberty, with a buyout (but no buyout is scaring a program that just spent $22M)
– If hired, SEC may require Auburn to hold something similar to a show-cause bc of the past NCAA troubles— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 13, 2020
And Brett McMurphy of Stadium has said Art Briles would be a candidate to replace Freeze at Liberty should he leave:
If Hugh Freeze leaves Liberty, former Baylor coach Art Briles would be a leading candidate to replace Freeze, sources told @Stadium
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) December 13, 2020
Previously, we discussed Briles’ candidacy for the Texas Tech job.
Early signing day is next week. How fast will Auburn move?
Auburn has never before hired a coach away from Liberty University. Hugh Freeze would be a historic hire in that regard and that is a fact.
Tennessee might be a better fit – weaker division, won’t have to play Alabama every year. Happy for Hugh – he made a terrible mistake, has paid for it and worked hard to make things right.
No Freeze. Too much stink on him still and AU wont go for that considering what going on with Basketball. The REAL word in Auburn is that it’s Mario Cristobal and if they cant pull him then Billy Napier.