Hugh Freeze is Fired Up About Alabama’s Rivalry With Nick Saban: ‘I Hope They’re a Little Nervous Today’
Hugh Freeze is Auburn’s new head coach, and the storylines are plentiful.
Freeze returns to the SEC after resigning as head coach of Ole Miss prior to the start of the 2017 season due to a “pattern of personal misconduct,” including calls from his work phone to numbers associated with an escort service.
It’s also no secret that Auburn was interested in current Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin before turning to Freeze after Kiffin signed a new contract to stay in Oxford.
Then there are the storylines that will take place on the football field between the lines.
Auburn has only one goal: to defeat Alabama.
It’s been three years since the Tigers defeated Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide, and Auburn fans are hoping the program has found the right man to turn things around.
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Freeze has beaten Saban twice in his career, winning back-to-back games against Alabama in 2014 and 2015.
He recognizes the significance of the Iron Bowl, telling reporters at his introductory press conference that he looks forward to the challenge that Alabama presents.
“You don’t take this job unless you’re built to want it,” Freeze said of future meetings with Saban. “That makes me happy. I’d like to have it. That is where I want to be.”
“I have a lot of respect for Nick,” he added. “He and Mrs. Terry have also been great friends to us, but I’m sure they’re nervous today.”
“I have great respect for Nick. He and Mrs. Terry have been great friends to us too, but I hope they’re a little nervous today.”
Hugh Freeze can’t wait for the Iron Bowl 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mHA6Y04wI9
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 29, 2022
Freeze takes over at The Plains after going 34-15 in four years as head coach at Liberty University.
Since the 2017 season, Auburn has not won more than nine games.
