Auburn Head Coach Hugh Freeze Defends His Golf Habit, Says Focus Remains on Winning and Elevating Tigers Football to Greatness
When you’re the head coach of a powerhouse SEC football program like Auburn, everything you do is scrutinized—on and off the field. From play-calling to press conferences to recruiting, fans and media analyze every detail. So when Hugh Freeze, Auburn’s head coach, mentioned recently that he enjoys playing golf during his limited free time, the reaction was swift. Some supporters shrugged it off. Others questioned whether his hobby was a distraction, especially with the Tigers chasing national relevance. But Freeze was quick to address the chatter: he doesn’t believe his golfing habits are detrimental to Auburn football—and he’s not backing away from the links or the expectations.
“It’s funny how people react,” Freeze said during a recent media session. “I play a few rounds of golf in the offseason to clear my head, connect with people, and stay balanced. It doesn’t mean I’m not grinding 16-hour days when it’s time. I think it actually makes me a better coach.”
Freeze’s comments come at a time when the pressure around Auburn football is rising. The Tigers are entering a pivotal season. With the roster rebuilt through aggressive recruiting and transfer portal acquisitions, expectations for 2025 are high. The fanbase is hungry, the boosters are invested, and the administration expects wins—not excuses. Every action Freeze takes is seen through the lens of whether it moves Auburn closer to competing for SEC titles and national recognition.
So when images of Freeze teeing off at an alumni fundraiser or spending part of a June afternoon on a course in Birmingham hit social media, the critics pounced. Some questioned whether the coach was fully locked in. Others suggested the optics weren’t ideal given Auburn’s recent struggles in big games. Freeze, however, sees it differently—and he didn’t hesitate to push back.
“Balance is important,” Freeze said. “If I’m not healthy mentally and emotionally, I can’t lead these young men the way they deserve to be led. Golf is just one of the ways I recharge, refocus, and keep my edge sharp.”
This isn’t Freeze’s first time navigating outside noise. Throughout his coaching career, he’s been no stranger to controversy, skepticism, or public pressure. But at Auburn, the intensity of that pressure is multiplied by a fanbase that lives and breathes football 365 days a year. That’s part of what drew Freeze to The Plains in the first place. He wanted the challenge. He wanted to prove he could win at the highest level, in the toughest conference, against the fiercest competition. And now, as he enters a season filled with promise, he’s doubling down on his belief that leadership is about more than grinding tape around the clock.
“You’ve got to model for your staff and your players what it means to lead with clarity, not just chaos,” Freeze said. “If they see me burning out, stressing 24/7, it trickles down. But if they see me focused, energized, and enjoying the process—even the hard parts—that’s contagious.”
The players don’t seem to be complaining. Multiple starters have praised Freeze’s leadership, energy, and attention to detail this offseason. Quarterback Jackson Arnold, the centerpiece of Auburn’s revamped offense, said that Freeze has “been locked in every single day” and “sets the tone for what we’re building here.” Veteran linebacker Eugene Asante added that Freeze’s consistency—both in coaching and in personality—has created a much stronger locker room culture than in years past.
“He keeps it real,” Asante said. “He doesn’t pretend to be something he’s not. He’s passionate, he loves this team, and we know his heart’s in the right place.”
Freeze’s approach to golf is, in many ways, symbolic of how he approaches leadership. It’s not just about schematics or sideline intensity. It’s about relationships, about balance, about mental sharpness. And for a coach who’s constantly networking—whether it’s with donors, recruits, alumni, or media—the golf course often becomes another form of his office.
“I’ve had more meaningful conversations about the program on a golf course than I can count,” Freeze said. “It’s where people open up, ask questions, share ideas. It’s not just recreation—it’s strategy.”
Still, Freeze understands that not everyone will agree. Auburn is a blue-blood program with massive expectations, and every detail matters. But he insists his commitment has never wavered. He points to the countless hours spent evaluating film, running practices, managing the portal, recruiting tirelessly, and rebuilding Auburn’s identity from the ground up.
The results are already showing. Auburn is coming off one of its best recruiting cycles in years. The Tigers landed key transfers at offensive line, wide receiver, and defensive back. Strength and conditioning numbers are up. Culture, by every internal report, is stronger than it’s been since the early days of the Gus Malzahn era. Freeze credits that success not just to relentless work—but to intentional work.
“This job demands everything from you,” he said. “But if you don’t take care of your mind and your relationships along the way, you burn out. And I’ve seen coaches burn out. That’s not happening here.”
For longtime Auburn fans, Freeze’s comments are both reassuring and revealing. There’s a sense that the coach understands the gravity of his role—but isn’t afraid to be human about it. Unlike some of his predecessors who tried to wall themselves off from criticism or questions, Freeze is leaning into the conversation, facing it directly, and showing a level of self-awareness that’s rare in this profession.
That transparency could be a major asset moving forward. As the 2025 season begins, Freeze won’t have the luxury of being underestimated. His team will be expected to beat teams like Baylor, challenge Georgia, and hold its own against Alabama in the Iron Bowl. There will be no grace period if things don’t go as planned. The clock is ticking, and the SEC waits for no one.
But Freeze appears calm in the storm. He’s done the rebuilding. He’s set the tone. Now, it’s about execution. And if a few rounds of golf help him keep that focus, he sees no reason to apologize for it.
“I’ll always outwork expectations,” Freeze said. “That’s how I’m wired. But I also believe in modeling something bigger than just obsession. I want our players to see that success isn’t about losing yourself—it’s about being your best self when it matters most.”
As summer fades into fall and the pressure of another SEC season looms, Freeze knows the real answers will come on Saturdays. Golf won’t win him games. But if it helps him think clearly, lead confidently, and manage one of the most intense jobs in the country—it just might help more than his critics think.
Because in the end, no one will care how many holes he plays during the offseason if Auburn is winning. And Hugh Freeze knows that better than anyone.
