A college coaching agent recently said it best when discussing golden brown colorA program that won a national title in 2010 and lasted the next three years, but also one that fluctuated rapidly in performance and suffered more than its share of dysfunction.
The agent said, “There’s something about that place that has incredible allure, because you know what it could be.” “There’s always a window where you can justify picking Auburn.”
For Hugh Freeze, the Auburn job was no easy task. A chance to return to the SEC, show off their recruiting ability, and ideally compete for College Football Playoff spots. While the freeze hire was controversial, it made sense from a football and “fit” perspective. the cold had increased ole miss in performance and recruiting, and beat Nick Saban twice alabama teams at a time when practically no one else did.
But Freeze was never able to find the magic on the plains that he had found in Oxford. Despite overseeing an Auburn program established to compete in the NIL/Portal era, he never won more than six games in a season and could not produce the same offensive performance as Oxford. Freeze was removed on Sunday After the loss to Kentucky. The Freeze went 15–19 over two seasons.
The SEC is arguably as deep as ever, but Auburn no longer has to worry about Nick Saban in the same position. Auburn still has a lot of advantages, namely its location and a fan/donor base eager to improve.
Here’s a look at who could lead the program next and how Auburn handles another coaching change. , adam ritenberg
candidate , transfer , recruits
Five candidates for the job
Tulane coach John Sumrall: He’s certainly the hottest name outside of the Power 4 and will soon have opportunities to lead high-profile programs, especially in the SEC. While Sumrall could fit in at Arkansas and other potential SEC openings, there are some natural ties to Auburn for the Huntsville, Alabama native. Sumrall, 43, has already gone 23-4 with consecutive Sun Belt championships at state as the head coach at Troy. He’s 15-7 at Tulane and could lead the team to a spot in the College Football Playoff. Sumrall played in the SEC at Kentucky and coached in the league at both Kentucky and Ole Miss. He will bring toughness and intensity along with an aggressive approach to personnel in the Auburn program.
Georgia Tech coach Brent Key: There’s a lot to like about the Keys, especially for an Auburn program seeking success in the SEC. Can win big games, as they have shown with a 7-1 record against ranked opponents in the ACC. Georgia Tech, Key’s alma mater, has gone from a pest to a CFP contender this fall, sitting at 8-1 and in the running for the ACC title game. Key also has direct ties to the state and the SEC, growing up near Birmingham, Alabama and coaching the offensive line for Nick Saban’s Alabama teams from 2016 to 2018. The 47-year-old has recruited the area throughout his career, specifically the Atlanta area which Auburn relies on to fill out its roster. Key will bring a tough-minded approach to Auburn and a philosophy based on running the ball. Plus, he can still keep it limited to Georgia.
Missouri coach Elijah Drinkwitz: After failing to land Lane Kiffin last time out, Auburn would be foolish not to assess whether any current SEC coach is interested in the job. Drinkwitz, 42, has done an incredible job at Missouri, winning 21 games over the past two seasons along with Cotton Bowl championships and a No. 8 overall pick in 2023. They have Missouri 44-25 and recently beat Auburn in overtime. Missouri has increased its investment in football and Drinkwitz enjoys Columbia, but the program has not historically been able to compete consistently at the top of the sport. Drinkwitz should be on the radar for Florida and will likely see the Gators as a better opportunity. But Auburn also has potential, especially with a dynamic offensive-minded coach who has proven himself in the SEC.
vanderbilt coach clark lee: The rest of the SEC — the rest of the country, for that matter — is paying attention to Lee and what he’s doing at Vanderbilt. Lee has changed the atmosphere at his alma mater, traditionally an SEC/Power 4 doormat, by bringing in a quarterback. diego pavia and others from the state of New Mexico. Vanderbilt is off to its best start (7–2) since 1950 and earned its first AP top-10 ranking since 1947. The Commodores are in the mix for a once-unimaginable CFP appearance, which ironically may keep Lee out of the candidate pool as schools look to fill those roles. Lee, 43, isn’t looking to flee Vanderbilt, but likely understands it would be easier to consistently contend elsewhere, and Auburn offers those resources.
Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Shuman:Most programs of Auburn’s caliber look for prior head-coaching experience in their searches. But rival Georgia is thriving with a first-time head coach in Kirby Smart, and Smart’s last defensive coordinator, Dan Lanning, is doing quite a good job in his first head-coaching gig at Oregon. Shuman is certainly viewed that way and it has come up in recent coaching searches like the one at North Carolina last year. Before joining Smart at Georgia, he spent his entire career working in various roles under Nick Saban at his alma mater Alabama. Shuman is only 35 and will need to grow into this role, but he has seen how the best SEC programs operate and he can bring that perspective to the Plains. , ritenberg
Five important players to retain
wr Cam Coleman: If Coleman decides to enter the transfer portal, he could be one of the rare non-quarterbacks to make more than $2 million next season. The 6-foot-3-inch, 201-pound talent will be similarly coveted on the open market. The No. 5 overall recruit in the 2024 ESPN 300 has caught 74 passes for 1,072 yards and 11 touchdowns in his two seasons on the Plains and has emerged as one of the SEC’s top big-play threats with 12 career catches of more than 30 yards. Coleman will have two more seasons of eligibility, but there is no doubt that he will be considered a top draft prospect entering his junior season.
LB Xavier Atkins: After playing sparingly during his freshman year at LSU, Atkins transferred to Auburn this offseason and proved he was ready to take over the starting role at outside linebacker. The 6-foot, 210-pound sophomore leads the Tigers with 69 tackles and has 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks as well as an interception against Texas A&M that he returned 73 yards.
CB jay crawford: Crawford has started 12 games in his two seasons at Auburn and had a team-high eight pass breakups as a true freshman starter in the SEC last season. This year, the 5-foot-11, 181-pound cover man has allowed only 80 passing yards and no touchdowns and one interception in his first seven games. If Crawford and Jrue are there, the Tigers should have one of the top cornerback duos in the conference in 2026 kyin lee Choose to return.
RB Jeremiah Cobb: Cobb saw limited action in his first two seasons with the Tigers, but is enjoying a breakout junior season. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound back ranks fourth in the SEC with 789 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 5.8 yards per carry. According to ESPN Research, Cobb has had four 100-yard rushing performances, including a career-high, 153-yard day against Arkansas, and led the conference in rushing yards upon contact (319) before entering Week 10. He can also add value in the return game and was third in the SEC in kickoff return yards (444) last season.
deli malik blocken: Here’s another sophomore that Auburn would love to bring back next season. The Tigers have a ton of promising talent leading up to their top 10 recruiting class in 2024, and they’ll have no shortage of options if these players hit the portal. Blockton, a 6-foot-3, 300-pound strongman, has a career-high eight tackles for loss and has begun to prove he can handle a bigger workload in his second year with a career-high 43 snaps against Texas A&M. , max olson
three major recruitments
S bralon womackNo. 32 in ESPN 300: The Tigers capped off a strong recruiting run at the end of the summer when ESPN’s No. 3 defense chose Auburn over Florida, Ohio State and Texas A&M on August 21. At the time, Womack told ESPN that his decision was heavily influenced by his relationships with Tigers defensive coordinators DJ Durkin and TJ Rushing, both of whom could have quickly fired Freeze from the program. The family connection – Womack’s older sister is a junior on Auburn’s softball team – remains the case for the top-35 defender from Flowood, Mississippi. But Womack’s Week 9 visit at LSU was notable, and Freese’s departure certainly opened the door for summer finalists Ohio State and Texas A&M, while others in the state, including Ole Miss, could enter the mix soon.
OLB Jacquez WilkesNo. 125 in ESPN 300: Auburn signs an ESPN 300 linebacker in the 2025 class, and that’s even after the Tigers flipped the four-star linebacker Shadarius Toodle Returning to his 2026 class from Georgia on Oct. 14, Wilks remains one of the key aspects of the program’s post-freeze recruiting strategy. Florida State, Miami and Texas A&M were the leading runners-up for ESPN’s No. 9 outside linebacker over the summer, and with all three programs still targeting the 2026 linebacker this fall, Auburn may face plenty of competition to hold onto its second spot.
wr jace matthewsNo. 235 in ESPN 300:The Tigers are loaded at the wide receiver position for now. if you like Cam Coleman, Eric Singleton Jr.And malcolm simmons hit the portal, Auburn will especially want to make sure it keeps Matthews — the program’s only wide receiver commit in 2026. Interest in the 6-foot-2 pass catcher from Leakesville, Mississippi may have waned due to the ACL tear that ended Matthews’ senior season last month. But Ole Miss and Texas A&M are at least two programs still pursuing Matthews, who has the ability and talent to be a Day 1 contributor wherever he lands if healthy. , eli lederman
