Paul Finebaum puts Hugh Freeze on blast, calls for Auburn to stop blaming everything on Bryan Harsin
Birmingham, AL — In a fiery and unexpected segment on ESPN Radio, longtime SEC analyst Paul Finebaum lit into Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze, calling on the embattled Tigers leader to take accountability and “stop using Bryan Harsin as a scapegoat” for Auburn’s ongoing struggles.
Finebaum’s sharp remarks came during a national broadcast of The Paul Finebaum Show, following a weekend in which Auburn recruiting momentum slowed and questions resurfaced about the program’s lack of on-field progress under Freeze’s leadership.
“At some point,” Finebaum declared, “Auburn needs to stop acting like Bryan Harsin is still running the program. He’s not. Hugh Freeze is. And Hugh Freeze, so far, has not delivered.”
When Hugh Freeze was hired in late 2022, Auburn fans were cautiously optimistic. Freeze, despite a controversial past, brought a proven offensive mind and SEC experience to a program desperate to stabilize after the tumultuous Harsin era.
But after two seasons, results have been mixed at best. Freeze’s Tigers finished the 2023 campaign at 6-7, including a home loss to New Mexico State and a heartbreaking Iron Bowl collapse against Alabama. In 2024, early optimism has again turned into frustration, as recruiting wins have been sporadic, development uneven, and offensive consistency lacking.
“He was hired to fix things quickly,” Finebaum continued, “and what Auburn fans have gotten instead is a coach who keeps looking in the rearview mirror, hoping people won’t notice the road ahead is bumpy.”
Few voices carry more weight in SEC circles than Paul Finebaum’s. Known for his no-holds-barred commentary and deep Auburn connections, Finebaum has historically been both critical and protective of Auburn when appropriate. That made Monday’s criticism all the more pointed.
“You can’t keep telling fans it’s ‘Harsin’s fault’ when you’re the one calling plays, making depth charts, and closing recruits now,” Finebaum said. “That excuse wore out months ago.”
Sources close to the Auburn program told ESPN insiders that Freeze has privately referenced the state of the program under Harsin as a reason for current recruiting hurdles and culture issues. But some believe that narrative has grown stale, particularly in light of Freeze’s own recruiting misses and inconsistent quarterback development.
While Auburn landed a few key blue-chip prospects in the spring, the Tigers have missed on several top-tier SEC targets in recent weeks, including:
- 5⭐️ CB Myron Jenkins (committed to Georgia)
- 4⭐️ QB Zachary Davis (chose Tennessee)
- 4⭐️ WR Braxton Lee (flipped to Texas A&M)
Many fans believe Auburn’s NIL infrastructure and game-day environment remain strong—but the coaching staff’s close and player development vision haven’t convinced enough elite recruits.
Finebaum zeroed in on this as well:
“You can’t keep saying ‘recruiting is trending up’ when Georgia, Bama, and LSU are locking down your backyard. At some point, the excuses run out.”
Finebaum’s words sent Auburn social media into overdrive. Some fans agreed wholeheartedly, thanking him for “saying what needed to be said.” Others pushed back, citing the “wreckage” left behind by Harsin as justification for the slow climb.
“Harsin destroyed our recruiting foundation,” one Auburn message board user wrote. “Freeze inherited a mess.”
“Freeze is 10-10. That’s not progress. That’s Harsin 2.0,” wrote another.
On local radio, former Auburn players voiced frustration over the lack of identity on offense and the inconsistent quarterback play that has persisted across multiple games and regimes.
When asked to respond to Finebaum’s criticism at a press availability, Freeze didn’t shy away.
“Look, I respect Paul and what he’s meant to the SEC,” Freeze said. “He’s got a job to do. I’ve got mine. We’re working our tails off every day to make Auburn better. And I still believe in what we’re building.”
Freeze also clarified that he’s not looking for excuses but “context.” He pointed to the number of freshmen and transfers playing key roles, along with the roster turnover from the 2022-2023 offseason.
“We’ve got a young team. We’ve got a new culture. I get that people want results now, and believe me—we do too.”
According to program insiders, there is no panic inside the athletics department—but there is growing urgency. Athletic director John Cohen, who hired Freeze, remains supportive but is also aware that Year 3 is typically the judgment year for SEC head coaches.
With the 2025 season looming and expectations rising, Freeze’s third campaign will likely be pivotal for his future at Auburn. A strong start could silence critics and re-energize recruiting. A sluggish one might bring louder questions—and fewer excuses.
Auburn’s 2025 schedule includes:
- Road games at Georgia and Texas A&M
- Home showdowns with LSU and Arkansas
- A neutral-site season opener vs. Louisville in Atlanta
The path is unforgiving. And with Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee all in top-five recruiting territory, Auburn must do more than survive—it must close the gap in talent and wins.
“You can’t lose to teams like Kentucky and expect boosters to stay quiet,” one SEC insider said. “Freeze has to deliver.”
Paul Finebaum’s takedown wasn’t just media criticism—it was a reflection of growing fatigue in and around Auburn. Fatigue with excuses. Fatigue with mediocrity. Fatigue with waiting.
“At some point,” Finebaum concluded, “you’ve got to stop looking out the window for blame and start looking in the mirror for answers.”
Whether Freeze takes that advice—or tunes it out—may well determine how long he remains the head man on the Plains. Either way, one thing is clear:
The honeymoon is over.
The scoreboard—and the accountability—are what matter now.
