Paul Finebaum Names Major SEC Coach Who Is Under Pressure in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Several coaches hired in previous coaching cycles are entering a pivotal season in 2025. They must demonstrate progress to avoid the risk of losing their jobs.
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One prominent coach facing this pressure is Hugh Freeze, the head coach of the Auburn Tigers. He is set to begin his third season at Auburn, where he has recorded two losing seasons and finished with a 5-7 record in 2024. This performance marks the fourth consecutive losing season for the team, and the 5-7 record represents a decline from his first year, which ended with a 6-7 record.
Given these circumstances, SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum discussed the situation on “The Paul Finebaum Show.” When asked by a caller about which coaches are on the hottest seats, Finebaum mentioned several coaches before highlighting that Freeze is also under pressure.
Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze.© Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
“Hugh Freeze has a little bit of pressure, too,” Finebaum said.
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If fired without cause, Freeze will be owed 75 percent of the remaining value of his contract, with no offset. He signed a six-year deal before the 2023 season that started at $6.5 million and increases by $250,000 each year. This season, he is set to earn $7 million. That would make it around $13 million after the 2025 season.
According to 247Sports, there is some reason for optimism, as the Tigers have secured the No. 6 recruiting class and the No. 4 transfer portal class. Quarterback Jackson Arnold and wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. are two of their prized portal additions.
In his first season as the starter at Oklahoma, Arnold threw for 1,421 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions over 10 games. Singleton Jr. had an impressive season at Georgia Tech, accumulating 754 yards and three touchdowns. He was also ranked among the top five players in the transfer portal.
Another positive aspect for Freeze is that, despite the seasons not going as well as hoped, Finebaum does not perceive any increasing pressure from Auburn’s athletic department. He recently mentioned that he doesn’t believe Freeze is in a critical situation. Finebaum noted that Freeze is well-liked by the Auburn community and has support where it truly counts. Nonetheless, he described Freeze’s first two seasons as quite underwhelming.
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Auburn opens the season on Aug. 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET, facing the Baylor Bears on the road.
Related: Greg McElroy Names Surprising Team He Thinks Can Win the SEC
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
