Yes—Hugh Freeze was fired by Auburn. What happened

• Auburn University announced the dismissal of head coach Hugh Freeze on November 2, 2025, after a home loss to Kentucky that left the Tigers at 4-5 overall and 1-5 in SEC play for the season. The move came midway through Freeze’s third season with Auburn.

Context and implications

• Freeze’s tenure at Auburn produced a 15-19 overall record and a 6-16 mark in SEC games, leading to the coaching change. Interim duties were placed with D.J. Durkin, former Maryland head coach.

• Auburn’s buyout of Freeze is reported around $15.8 million, payable in full and not offset by future employment, making it a significant financial commitment for the program. This aligns with a broader pattern of sizable buyouts for several Power Five programs during the 2025 coaching carousel.

• Reactions and subsequent steps vary by program, but the firing is part of a wave of midseason coaching changes across major conferences, often followed by searches for new leadership and adjustments to recruiting pipelines.

Direct answer

• Yes, Hugh Freeze was fired by Auburn on November 2, 2025, after Auburn’s loss to Kentucky and a disappointing start to the season, with the school set to owe Freeze roughly $15.8 million in a full buyout. An interim head coach was named (D.J. Durkin) as Auburn begins its coaching search.