Auburn given College Football Playoff warning after firing Hugh Freeze

Auburn University has fired head football coach Hugh Freeze after a 10-3 loss to Kentucky, dropping the team's record to 4-5 for the season. Freeze's tenure with the Tigers ended with a 15-19 overall record and 6-16 in SEC play over three seasons. This decision follows a brief reprieve from a Week 9 victory over Arkansas that snapped a four-game losing streak. Auburn's athletic director, John Cohen, emphasized the program's goal of competing for championships and stated that the search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

Auburn, historically successful with eight SEC championships and two national titles since 2004, faces challenges in hiring a new head coach due to a competitive market. Potential candidates mentioned include Tulane's Jon Sumrall and former Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher. The new hire will need to address Auburn's current struggles and aim to return the team to College Football Playoff contention.