Auburn Tigers football head coach Hugh Freeze has come under fire this offseason, not for play-calling or player development, but for spending time on the golf course. As the program works to rebound from a rocky year, Freeze’s perceived lack of urgency has ignited criticism from fans and media alike. But now, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has stepped in to push back.
Speaking on the “The Opening Kickoff” podcast, Sankey addressed the backlash, saying the criticism of Freeze has been exaggerated.
“It’s healthy for me to go outside and play golf,” the SEC commissioner said.
“I think the criticism [of Freeze] is misplaced.”
Freeze, who led Auburn to a 5-7 record and just two SEC wins in his first year, has been under pressure as the 2026 recruiting class lags behind rivals. The situation worsened when two Auburn football players were arrested within the last month, raising discipline concerns inside the program.
Critics have framed Freeze’s downtime as tone-deaf, especially with off-field issues mounting. However, Sankey drew parallels to other high-pressure SEC football jobs, stating that mental resets like golf are normal and necessary—even for top-tier coaches.
Adding a layer of drama to the controversy, Lane Kiffin made a joking reference to Freeze’s golf habits during SEC Media Days. While he didn’t directly criticize, his comment—referencing a prior online exchange with Freeze—added fuel to the narrative and drew laughs from reporters. The exact tone of Kiffin’s remark remains open to interpretation, but it reflected the ongoing rivalry and mutual awareness between the two SEC head coaches.
It also underscores the rising competitive tension between Auburn and Ole Miss as both programs deal with quarterback changes and roster turnover. Freeze and Kiffin share coaching roots in Mississippi,…
Source link : https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/auburn-football-news-hugh-freeze-golf-controversy-sankey-defense
Author :
Publish date : 2025-07-18 05:00:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
