Beating Arkansas 21-19, the LU HC interested has escalated. Many Auburn fans are clamoring to hire him after 5th year FBS team LU beat the Razorbacks in Fayetteville. MY guess is about 70% to 80% on this board want the selection. Kiffin may be the first choice for admins, but Freeze seems the most popular choice.

REASONS FREEZE WILL - He'll want one more shot to coach and win at the highest level. It's not about the P5 HC money. Freeze just resigned with LU at almost $5 million a year until 2030 (to be the highest among G5).

REASONS FREEZE WILL NOT - At LU, Freeze is making lots of money with just a minimum of scrutiny that he would receive if at Auburn. At LU, Freeze receives little reminder for his past cellphone/hooker antics. That issue is not as important to those teams outside the SEC as it to those team within the conference.

The LU game against Arkansas yesterday is an example. LU came in as a novelty. A FBS newbie just 5 years from being FCS. Having lost it's two previous tries against SEC competition. A two touchdown underdog even being ranked #23 in one poll and unranked in another. The betting line was hovering about 14 points in favor of the Hawgs. LU also had that experience with BYU the week before being 7 points underdog.

THE ODDS: The intensity builds on Auburn to select it's HC increasing with it's overtime loss last night. At LU, it's "Hugh Freeze, coach of the Liberty Flames". His success and popularity are at an all time high. He has hinted in an interview this week that he has a list of schools "in his pocket" he would entertain discussions with. That he is not a big city guy. Auburn fits that description.

The GUESS: It's always best to leave on a high note and take over a team that is playing poorly. Auburn fits the bill. We can expect an announcement any day that Freeze accepts the Auburn HC position, staying at LU, taking LU to it's highest profile bowl, and winning. He'll motivate his LU players to likely win out (U-Conn, VaTech, NMSU) and possibly be 11-1. And odds are he'll win that bowl. How's that for a send off.

Congrats Auburn. You are going to get an exceptional coach. And he is a lot like Liberty. Full of past blunders and warts from past actions. And currently riding high.

I disagree. At Liberty, Freeze is building a legacy, something that will put him along all-time greats Vince Dooley, Saban, Bear Bryant, etc. He wouldn't have that chance at Auburn, IMO. Too much pressure from everyone.

I'm not really sure who does fit at Auburn. Although I wouldn't try for a second time with Terry Bowden, his first tour of duty with Auburn was a success, IMO, albeit not a long-term one. I would actually scour the NFL for candidates also. Some NFL coaches have fared well in college. Saban was one such coach.

Rome, Georgia is a nice community with good people.

To New Times, I doubt Freeze gets much push at Auburn outside of a couple of trustees because his issues are with the conference.

I'm not sure who we'll get this time around, but we'll see.

To Dawg in Bama, there is no need to mention Terry Bowden. He left abruptly for some off field reasons which negates the possibility of his return, even if he merited consideration, which he doesn't.

Whoever Auburn gets this time needs to be a program builder as Harsin literally destroyed it from the ground up. He never recruited on Friday night High School games, he left recruits for hours of waiting before pick up at the airports, he scheduled a recruiting visit with a high school practice time and failed to show. He destroyed more trust in the program than any coach in Auburn history. IMO, they could and should fire him with cause and refuse to pay his buy out for failure to perform his duties.

I like Mark Stoops, but he may not be interested. He does things the right way at the grass roots level and knows how to build a program up. That is what Auburn needs, not a splashy hire, but a meat and potatoes approach with a man of solid character. And that isn't Freeze, nor is it Kiffin, who is likely the one they are looking at.

My observations in this post about Freeze was made from the perspective of what he will be enticed and choose to do. As a LU fan, I hope he stays for the reasons that JR stated. There are upsides for him to remain at LU. And upsides and obstacles if he goes to Auburn, or any SEC school in the future.

And JR, Rome is a nice community. My wife and I researched the community extensively prior to making the move in July of 2021 from Florida.

I deleted my post mentioning Jamey Chadwell. I knew there was a reason major schools have not pursued him.

[quote] In 2018, the NCAA released a detailed report concerning numerous NCAA violations across the Charleston Southern athletics department that occurred during Chadwell's tenure as head football coach. The athletics department was found to have incorrectly certified 55 student athletes across 12 sports over a six-year period, and football players were found to have used scholarship funds to purchase electronics and jewelry from the campus book store. Ultimately, the NCAA sanctions included vacating 18 wins from the 2014 and 2015 football seasons and the 2015 Big South Championship, in addition to several vacated wins in other sports. Also vacated were three wins over crosstown rival The Citadel, games during which CSU used ineligible players.[wiki]

Rumors are swirling about Dan Lanning today. I think that would be a pretty good hire.

For Lanning's part, it might be wise to get out of Oregon ASAP. As soon as the LA schools leave the PAC 12, the recruiting pipeline for most PAC 12 schools will evaporate.

(11-07-2022 08:47 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  Rumors are swirling about Dan Lanning today. I think that would be a pretty good hire.

For Lanning's part, it might be wise to get out of Oregon ASAP. As soon as the LA schools leave the PAC 12, the recruiting pipeline for most PAC 12 schools will evaporate.

It is also the biggest reason why Oregon wants in the B1G. The recruiting aspect is why USCLA wants to keep Oregon out of the B1G.

BTW JR, I already knew about Terry Bowden. Right now, he has taken over a program that is fighting just to stay in FBS and I highly doubt that anyone else wants him either, save for the random FCS team. I just remember how well Auburn did with him for his first two years. And you are right, off-field issues did him in.

(11-08-2022 05:44 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(11-07-2022 08:47 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  Rumors are swirling about Dan Lanning today. I think that would be a pretty good hire.

For Lanning's part, it might be wise to get out of Oregon ASAP. As soon as the LA schools leave the PAC 12, the recruiting pipeline for most PAC 12 schools will evaporate.

It is also the biggest reason why Oregon wants in the B1G. The recruiting aspect is why USCLA wants to keep Oregon out of the B1G.

BTW JR, I already knew about Terry Bowden. Right now, he has taken over a program that is fighting just to stay in FBS and I highly doubt that anyone else wants him either, save for the random FCS team. I just remember how well Auburn did with him for his first two years. And you are right, off-field issues did him in.

And Bowden's past, like so many other coaches, even those without issues, to keep a program pertinent and relevant, is why Freeze's name keeps being mentioned. He was able to do at Liberty what he was unable to do at Ole Miss. Beat Arkansas at Fayetteville. He's a tremendous coach and motivator with a blemished past. A great fit for Liberty. A questionable fit for Auburn and other SEC teams seeking a change. As a Mississippi native, he's southern all the way. No California or west coast or big city, large market temptations for Freeze.

(11-06-2022 07:52 AM)NewTimes Wrote:  Beating Arkansas 21-19, the LU HC interested has escalated. Many Auburn fans are clamoring to hire him after 5th year FBS team LU beat the Razorbacks in Fayetteville. MY guess is about 70% to 80% on this board want the selection. Kiffin may be the first choice for admins, but Freeze seems the most popular choice.

REASONS FREEZE WILL - He'll want one more shot to coach and win at the highest level. It's not about the P5 HC money. Freeze just resigned with LU at almost $5 million a year until 2030 (to be the highest among G5).

REASONS FREEZE WILL NOT - At LU, Freeze is making lots of money with just a minimum of scrutiny that he would receive if at Auburn. At LU, Freeze receives little reminder for his past cellphone/hooker antics. That issue is not as important to those teams outside the SEC as it to those team within the conference.

The LU game against Arkansas yesterday is an example. LU came in as a novelty. A FBS newbie just 5 years from being FCS. Having lost it's two previous tries against SEC competition. A two touchdown underdog even being ranked #23 in one poll and unranked in another. The betting line was hovering about 14 points in favor of the Hawgs. LU also had that experience with BYU the week before being 7 points underdog.

THE ODDS: The intensity builds on Auburn to select it's HC increasing with it's overtime loss last night. At LU, it's "Hugh Freeze, coach of the Liberty Flames". His success and popularity are at an all time high. He has hinted in an interview this week that he has a list of schools "in his pocket" he would entertain discussions with. That he is not a big city guy. Auburn fits that description.

The GUESS: It's always best to leave on a high note and take over a team that is playing poorly. Auburn fits the bill. We can expect an announcement any day that Freeze accepts the Auburn HC position, staying at LU, taking LU to it's highest profile bowl, and winning. He'll motivate his LU players to likely win out (U-Conn, VaTech, NMSU) and possibly be 11-1. And odds are he'll win that bowl. How's that for a send off.

Congrats Auburn. You are going to get an exceptional coach. And he is a lot like Liberty. Full of past blunders and warts from past actions. And currently riding high.

You left out some reasons Freeze will NOT. First off, his wife loves it in Lynchburg. His daughters all went to school there and they all live locally. When Freeze was in a high pressure SEC job before, that is when his life when south. He may want to say in Lynchburg where he still gets family time and isn't scrutinized as much for winning 8 games a year.

Liberty just lost to much improved UCONN, 36-33.

Not a legacy yet. Good coach at a good place for him.

If he goes to Auburn, he’ll be heavily scrutinized by internal and external forces for any “short-cuts” he undertakes, while still being pressured to deliver fast.

Even with the pressures at Auburn, one would think there would be some excellent “up and coming” coaches, with recorded successes, that would be interested in the job. Some are not highly familiar names.

Media reports before the LU/Auburn game stated "Freeze auditioning..." and the likes. Inference being that Freeze was sending out job applications. If anyone has listened to YouTube or Podcast where he has been interviewed, a theme is clear. He is a Southern boy from Mississippi. He's stated he likes schools in small towns. After reaching the pinnacle in the SEC, LU only got him as a HC because of his blunder at Ole Miss. He's at the best scenario on the G5 level with LU with almost $5 million a year for 8 years GUARANTEED. What G5 team other than LU can match that salary?

Is he going out of the South to coach? Nope. No to the Bigs or PAC. That leaves the ACC and SEC. Then there is the baggage he bring along with his coaching success. ACC schools such as UVA (highly unlikely) and VT (unlikely) are floundering but will their alumni/donors express their concerns. Likely not as academics are often used as a reason to make football decisions, which is really a manipulation tool.

And does Freeze really want the perpetual reminder of his cell phone gaffe plastered on signs at every SEC away game. Opposing SEC fans can be brutal. That's not happed at LU away games.

Will Freeze be tempted to replace Saban when he retires? If Freeze does not accept the Auburn job if offered, maybe he is waiting for Alabama to come calling. And that would be Freeze's greatest challenge. Coming into the most visible and successful FB program in this generation, and maintaining it's success. Alabama is not Mississippi but it's close. And what better way for Freeze to get the last laugh, if he's successful. He gets a good run at LU and all the accolades. Then goes to Alabama and, if he wins a national championship, he'll be the toast of the town, loved in Lynchburg and Tuscaloosa.

(11-07-2022 08:47 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  Rumors are swirling about Dan Lanning today. I think that would be a pretty good hire.

For Lanning's part, it might be wise to get out of Oregon ASAP. As soon as the LA schools leave the PAC 12, the recruiting pipeline for most PAC 12 schools will evaporate.

Lanning does have more connection with the SEC than Harsin, but he's in the first year of a 6 year contact and might not want to "Kiffin" any school. I think it would also be smarter for Auburn to hire someone not currently from the west like Harsin.

(11-07-2022 10:36 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  I disagree. At Liberty, Freeze is building a legacy, something that will put him along all-time greats Vince Dooley, Saban, Bear Bryant, etc. He wouldn't have that chance at Auburn, IMO. Too much pressure from everyone.

I'm not really sure who does fit at Auburn. Although I wouldn't try for a second time with Terry Bowden, his first tour of duty with Auburn was a success, IMO, albeit not a long-term one. I would actually scour the NFL for candidates also. Some NFL coaches have fared well in college. Saban was one such coach.

That's some rare air considering that he hasn't won anything at Liberty. Maybe let him win a couple National Titles before you start comparing him to those others?

(11-07-2022 08:47 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  Rumors are swirling about Dan Lanning today. I think that would be a pretty good hire.

For Lanning's part, it might be wise to get out of Oregon ASAP. As soon as the LA schools leave the PAC 12, the recruiting pipeline for most PAC 12 schools will evaporate.

I disagree, he still has Phil to fund his NIL programs indefinitely and the new CFP on the horizon. Oregon will be just as big in 10 years as they are today. Auburn is clearly a bigger program than Oregon ofc, but Lanning has zero history with them. I think that Auburn may get Lanning (and Stoops and Kiffin) a raise, but none of them are leaving unless their schools let them.

If I was Auburn and I had my pick I'd take Stoops in a heartbeat over any of the others. He's built a solid SEC winner at a basketball school, imagine what he could do at Auburn?

Cadillac Williams appears to be doing a fine job of pulling the fb team together and getting them focused. Whoever Auburn chooses, hopefully it mostly about basics and fundamentals, and not ‘fluff’. Recruiting skills and player development is critical given the surrounding competition and high expectations to show solid results fast and sustain a pattern of success.

Who is available and ‘may fit’ best? TBD or announced.