Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze was notably absent from a list of SEC coaches deemed capable of restoring the conference’s dominance in college football. FanSided analyst Michael Collins excluded Freeze in his analysis, which highlighted coaches like Kirby Smart, Steve Sarkisian, Josh Heupel, Mike Elko, and Kalen DeBoer as those best positioned to lead the SEC back to national prominence.
The SEC has faced growing criticism after failing to produce a participant in the College Football Playoff National Championship for two consecutive seasons. However, Collins dismissed the notion of the SEC’s decline, pointing to the adaptability of its top programs. “The idea that heavy use of the transfer portal, player payments, and bigger, less top-heavy conferences can’t be overcome by the SEC’s premier programs is asinine,” Collins wrote. He cited programs like Georgia and Texas as examples of teams poised to regain dominance in 2025.
Freeze’s omission was striking, given his reputation as a skilled recruiter and his success at Liberty during the early NIL era. However, his 11-14 record as Auburn’s head coach and inability to secure a .500 season thus far have placed him behind first-year SEC head coaches like Elko and DeBoer, who have already achieved eight-win seasons. Collins’ analysis underscores that Freeze’s adjustment to on-field coaching in the SEC has been slower than anticipated, even as Auburn’s recruiting efforts have exceeded expectations.
Despite the snub, Freeze isn’t alone among overlooked SEC coaches. LSU’s Brian Kelly was perhaps the most surprising exclusion, given his success in rallying the Tigers with initiatives like the “Million Dollar Match Challenge” and securing the No. 1 transfer portal class for 2025. Coaches like Florida’s Billy Napier and South Carolina’s Shane Beamer were also absent from the list, raising questions about the criteria used to determine the conference’s “trusted” leaders.
While Freeze may not yet be considered a key figure in restoring the SEC’s reputation, his recruiting success and potential for growth suggest he could join the conversation soon. For now, Auburn fans will hope 2025 is the year Freeze proves he belongs among the conference’s elite coaches.