Josh Pate On Auburn Hiring Hugh Freeze (Late Kick Cut) 

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Josh believes that empirical evidence is the only true value in public discussion? What a narrow-minded approach to debate. Also, what gives with his last implication? “The difference between Hugh Freeze and some of the other coaches is that you know about the stuff in Hugh Freeze’ past. That’s the *only* difference.” And he based it on some intel he has personally. Does Josh have info regarding other coaches and them attempting to hush sexual assault victims? Has he turned that over to authorities?

I’m in camp 4. Freeze is simply an 8-4 coach and since Auburn was the only SEC program and Auburn should have hired a better coach.

He was 1-3 vs Malzahn. Not really an upgrade for Auburn, more of a sidegrade.

poor guy making millions at Liberty.

The only reason this guy is relevant in the coaching world is his two victories against Alabama (which I would argue were lucky, had less to do with coaching and more to do with the oblong shape of footballs - first was early in the season breaking in a new Kiffin offense with Blake Sims at QB, 23-17 in Oxford, second was a really flukey game that Cooper Bateman started in). He went 19-21 against SEC opponents including multiple losses to Vandy and a loss to Memphis in his only season with double digit wins at Ole Miss. He had one 10-win season at Liberty. I hear they didn't even call Dan Lanning. I would've rather taken a chance with Cadillac or Prime if Dan turned it down. I simply don't think he was the best available and the baggage isn't worth it. The irony of the reasons behind the attempted Harsin coup makes it even worse. I'm not even an Auburn fan. I did my entire bachelor's degree at UA... but I do have family and friends that are Auburn grads that are serious about the Creed. I've got significant secondhand embarrassment. I know you say winning heals all but this isn't the way.

I wish you talked more about what you think Freeze will bring to Auburn football-wise

You do not care, but should Auburn care. If anything like his past at HS, Ole Miss, or Liberty happens at Auburn, again "if" being used that has too look bad on Auburn. And other then beating Alabama back to back, what has he done? I do not know, IMO, i think it is a hire that probably will come back and bite them.

Regardless of any opinion, it's a bad call for auburn to get a coach that invites any major controversy straight off the bat.

The best hire Auburn can possibly make Hugh Freeze will do some good things there regardless of how tough of a job it is 💯

Freeze's wife, Jill, is from my hometown, so for her sake I hope he has got his life straightened out. The guy can coach, he's proven that, and Auburn came out ahead by hiring him rather than Kiffin. Has he wised up? Time will tell.

I guess my point is he will hide those who would commit such crimes .Because of a winning .Because this is what High Freeze is . He lied . He had two personalities 1 Public . 2 Private .

As an Alabama fan with a wife that is an Auburn fan I’ve told my wife all along, even before they fired their coach that Hugh Freeze is the guy that could turn that Auburn program around. Personally I’m glad the guy is getting a second chance. We all mess up from time to time and we’ve all done things in the past we wish we could change. I’m sure I’ll regret saying this when Auburn starts being a thorn in our sides lol

Hugh Freeze is the perfect coach for that holier than thou dirty program.

I needed to hear this

People have high morals until those morals conflict with success lol morals go out the window when a coach wins.

LOL at Auburn

L take

Agreed! I believe that he will walk the straight and narrow with this opportunity.

Everyone was assuming the announcement of a new head coach at Auburn would either come Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. But each of those days came and went. Then, finally, Hugh Freeze is hired on Monday. I think Auburn moved ahead in talks with Hugh Freeze as soon as Lane Kiffin appeared to be off the table. I think that those talks were mildly complicated due to the immediate backlash to rumors of the Freeze hire. I think this caused Auburn to renegotiate the price by which they were willing to pay Freeze. His deal at Liberty was going to be 5 million dollars for 8 years, a contract priced at 40 million dollars. His deal at Auburn is 6.5 million dollars for 6 years, a contract priced at 39 million dollars. I believe Auburn was originally planning to pay him more than that, but was pushed to reconsider this. And Hugh, wanting to be back in the SEC more than anything else, said he’d take lower if they want to give him lower.

Seriously? Mentioning Fake Cajun Coach Buttrub Dance? Bwahahahahaha

He's a good coach that deserves a second chance. That said, UGA is still going to dominate the War Eagle Plainsmen Tigers. GO Dawgs!

Did you root for Cam Newton and Nick Marshall? Seriously, Auburn has a long track record beyond these 3 examples of being a place for second chances. I wish Coach Freeze nothing but the best. WDE!

To me this hire fits in the category of hiring Bobby Petrino, Lane Kiffin, or Rich Rodriguez; it's gonna end BAD. He may win 10 games next year, he may win a National Championship in 2 years, but his exit will be a train wreck. It's just a matter of how long Auburn can hold their nose while he's there. I don't think Hugh Freeze deserves a life time ban or something because of his previous mistakes, but how can any player take him seriously? If Saban or Harbaugh tells his players to 'behave during the bye week' or 'don't be out in the clubs late at night' for example, it carries some weight; but this guy is a joke as far as his morals. That's why I think it's a bad hire.

Welcome, Coach Freeze!! This was a great hire!

He defended his players? Were they innocent? Why shouldn't he defend his players?

Whole lot of moral gymnastics on display here.

So….briarcrest doesn’t matter? Hiring hookers for underage kids doesn’t matter? Going after sexual assault victims doesn’t matter? The dude is a red flag walking. Punishment? He’s made millions and is continuing to make millions. A 2 year vacation where he’s STILL basically saying it’s not his fault isn’t s good sign? Bobby Petrino isn’t a major coach for this reason… Josh, this take is so bad that it’s unthinkable. This was basically a defense of freeze. The message is “winning trumps all” and that logic is how you get Art Briles and Baylor, or Joe Paterno and PSU…. I honestly can’t watch other segments knowing this is the mentality here, that’s doing all he’s done is ok, because he’s won football games…he can go coach a division 3 school if he wants to be a coach so bad.

Poor Hugh Freeze. What a price he paid. Only making 5 million a year at Liberty. How tough that must’ve been for him. It’s a disgusting look for the sport. For those who preach the Auburn creed, the hypocrisy should be a bit hard to swallow. But hey, he’ll probably win games. Does anything else really matter?

Josh I think you’re reducing the role of a head coach as a win at all costs, and that’s all that matters. If that’s your stance, then fine, this probably doesn’t bother you all that much. But for me, I want someone who is the face of my football program, leading men, to be a little bit better. And no it’s not too much to ask that coaches of all stripes be held to a higher moral standard

Are we enabling ,another coach to have another Baylor sexual assault scandal? Or another situation were we have another Penn state Jerry Sandusky , child molestation ,case?And the question,In this recent Climate of college football,would those cases ever had been tried in a court of law?

So tell me .Would you hire Art Briles ..Next?

This type of justification is a slippery slope fallacy that allows bad behavior to continue, and with each occurrence, gets worse until there's a much larger problem. To excuse it because it's college football, would be a grave mistake. It's not just football. We are molding impressionable young men into future adult leaders, so who Auburn chooses to lead these young men matters. But, I guess it's okay with you, Josh, to sacrifice our mothers, daughters and sisters in order to excuse and justify known bad behavior. It's college football after all, right? What is heart-breaking and concerning is that Auburn has a very serious issue with sexual harassment on campus that university leadership is not addressing....and the football program still made this decision. But hey, it's college football, so who cares? This is a bad look for Auburn. If you are a man and you overlook, justify, or excuse this hiring decision, shame on you. What if it was your daughter, mother or sister that was sexually harassed by Hugh Freeze? Would you still think..."oh he paid his dues, it's okay?" No. This is not okay.

Can’t believe Auburn agreed to pay his salary in $1 bills. That’s just wild to me

Using a burner phone repeatedly is a plan not a mistake.

Nah, bad takes here. His friends are right. You say "he's paid his price." How? In July 2022, he DMd a sexual assault victim who had a lawsuit against Liberty. If you haven't already, you should read the details that Josh Pate is unwilling to talk about. I would be so embarrassed right now if I was an Auburn fan. What a shame.

What is Hugh freeze was black? Wonder how long it would take him to recover and pay price for checkered pass?

Freeze is just not a good enough coach to overcome the poor character. My personal opinion of him is that he is a religious charlatan like Jimmy Swaggart or someone of that nature. He invokes religion to manipulate. But that aside, I just don't think he is a good enough coach for Auburn to risk its reputation and divide the fan base while they're doing it. The hire was meh. No one else was beating down Freeze's door like Auburn. That tells me something.

Two points from me: 1. He did not own up to it in that press conference, he merely said that our lives wouldn't be comfortable if ours were broadcast like his. That's not owning up to mistakes, that's defending his actions. 2. Why is no one talking about the hiring process here as far as the boosts are concerned? Less than 1 year ago, we have booster's fabricating a cheating scandal on Harsin while he's out of the country because they want him out, but now we're hiring someone with real public infidelity issues? The boosters are real losers, but no one cares because Harsin is out. And, unfortunately, I agree with you, wins will wipe the slate clean very quickly. As far as punishment is concerned, a couple years at Liberty making millions is not a punishment. It's just not.

I hope Yellawood paid you a lot for this. Never ruin your own reputation on account of somebody else.

I like watching Josh Pate but I was very disappointed with his take on this situation. I'm not one to judge if someone should "suffer" or continue to be punished for past sins. With that said, Josh mentioned that Freeze coached at Liberty, insinuating it was punishment to coach at a lower tier school. Liberty just gave Freeze an extension through 2030 worth $40 million dollars. In what universe is that suffering and paying a price??? I'm not saying Freeze should be living on the streets, but that's no where near suffering. You can drag my name through the mud for that kind of money. Freeze can be forgiven for his sins and move past them overtime; however, he's shown a pattern of some bad decision making. If you disagree with that, then let's just say he's put himself in some sketchy situations repeatedly to the point that it's perceived he makes lots of bad decisions. What kind of bad decisions does he make with regard to running a multi-million dollar football program? I'm still floored that Auburn would hire him. I'm also a little surprised he would leave Liberty with a crazy contract of $40M and he doesn't have to have all his baggage dragged out into the public forum again.

Whataboutism is the great way to cap off this segment. Bravo.

I disagree with the overall point that people talking against him will disappear after a ten win season, maybe the Auburn pundits. However I feel like either your giving no credence to some of the other accusations that have come out against him, or you lump them in with the burner phone incident. Its not like this guy is Pruitt where he was slinging dough when it wasn't kosher to be paying players, if this guy wasn't good at being a football coach theirs a none zero chance he could be in jail or heading to it.

Didn't like the idea of Freeze when he was rumored to be Harsin's replacement in February during the failed coup. And unfortunately I don't believe he has that short of a leash. The fact that Auburn has bent over backwards to protect this hire from PR backlash leads me to believe they will protect their asset again. Hugh Freeze will have "plot armor" courtesy of YellaFella himself.

Pate State missed with this one

Did Auburn put a burner phone in Freeze's contract?? Thats all I wanna know.....

What confuses me is that he's the best they could do. He's good at coaching but there are plenty of equally good coaches out there with clean pasts that you wouldn't even have to have this conversation about, and you know Auburn can afford pretty much whoever they want. I mean Matt Rhule went to a much worse-off team than Auburn and he's clearly a very capable coach, I don't think Wisconsin is a better job than Auburn if they had gone after Fickell, and so on. It's possible no one else wanted the job, but I'd be surprised. It's not necessarily that I'm anti-Freeze (ha ha), I'm just surprised Auburn would be willing to let this conversation get all over the news. Agree with it or not it was a predictable outcome, and I can't imagine it's helpful for recruiting or sponsorships and I'm just not sure his on-field performance is clearly above other alternatives enough to make it worth that risk. I guess the Auburn admins disagree, and that's their call to make ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Love JP and his analysis and unfortunately he's spot on. I love the football hire but hiring Hugh Freeze is the equivalent of hiring Harvey Weinstein because he directs great movies. The AD and Auburn needed to look in the mirror and determine what he stands for. We got our answer.

high key disappointed with this take. Hugh Freeze made a middle schooler take off her shirt in front of him... do you condone that kind of behavior? Or is that "none of your business" because by turning a blind eye you give this predatory behavior the green light. Next thing you know you realize you just Joe Paterno'd the next Jerry Sandusky. There is a lot wrong with this dude's character and moral compass. 18 months from now Freeze will be apologizing to the people of Auburn in a press conference wearing a neckbrace - Bobby petrino style - for whatever misconduct he oafishly threw upon himself. smdh

Josh, only thing that rubs me the wrong way is that many of us have had to grow up and live with people close to us that have talked (read: posted on social media) constantly about the “Auburn Creed” and suggested with a straight face that their school is different- when in reality they have Bruce Perl and Hugh Freeze as their two highest profile coaches. AU cares about Ws and Ls and places a high premium on them (just like the other 13 SEC schools). It is just gonna really fire people up when the whole “Auburn Man” and “Creed” posts start popping up in 2-3 years.

As someone with a degree (about to be two) from Auburn, I’m incredibly frustrated by the hire. At the end of the day, football is a money maker for the university, so I absolutely know why he was brought in (and to his credit, we’ll be a better football team), but also the “front porch” as well. It’s embarrassing having to be represented by someone like him. As for the “you wouldn’t want your mistakes presented in this way”, sure I wouldn’t but I feel incredibly good about myself compared to what he has out there.

Well Auburn fans at least you didn’t hire Lame Kiffen.

You omitted camp #4, us who feel like this a Gus 2.0 hire. Runs the same offense as Gus & Gus beat Bama 3 times. However, I’m willing to keep an open mind and give Freeze a chance. WDE!!!

Given his past transgressions I don’t believe he should be in a position of power and authority at an educational institution. He’s shown multiple times he does not have the ability to handle that power responsibly. Should he be dead and buried, no, but he definitely should not be in charge of molding and mentoring young men.

It’s all about money… they had a good coach in Caddy. Should have gave the guy a chance. HF will be gone in 3-4 years.

The problem with hiring Hugh Freeze is he’s made questionable decisions at his last two jobs. If something like what happened at Liberty happens at Auburn it will be a much much bigger story. Auburn is taking a huge risk by hiring Hugh Freeze, it’s a risk they didn’t need to take. There are other good coaches who can win at Auburn.

He’s won 10 games once at Ole Miss. but because he beat Saban people act like he’s an amazing coach. For his career at Ole Miss he had a 61% win percentage. And a 48% win percentage in SEC conference games.

Josh says, "People who live in glass houses, should not throw stones." Confucius says, "People who live in glass houses, should take shower in basement." In all seriousness, Freeze may do well eventually with the $ and talent AU can bring ... but my humble opinion is, he'll be another Bobby Petrino and Ed Orgeron. Coaches who's stars aligned enough for some success but were eventually forced out due to moral issues. I've said in the past that whom ever was responsible for Jimbozo's ridiculous contract should be checked for a previous lobotomy ... I hope the powers at AU learned from that debacle. ^v^

Which is why I'm pretty much done with college football. The hypocrisy is just piled too high and deep. Like some magic man in the sky gives a flip about a football game. Spare me.

Ole Miss is really good at making bad decisions. Having to apologize and settle with Houston Nutt for the fake stories etc. allegedly since I don't know the details. Then Aubuirn says hold my beer! lolololololol

Black coaches can't get a first chance while these rascals like Hugh Freeze gets a second and third chance 😒🤦‍♂️

I couldn’t care less about the escorts honestly, but forcing an underage girl to change in front of him goes past the “who among us hasn’t made mistakes” concept. I suspect that people who can’t see the difference have no personal capacity to come to their own determination on how some things are worse than others, and only get their sense of morality from external sources. I guess that’s where religion comes in.

Yes, Freeze has paid price...America is built on 2nd chances.

He's over-rated, this is a bad hire.

Auburn is certainly hoping it won't matter. But asking someone's daughter to undresses in front of you should be disqualifying for any job working with young people. Public school teachers lose their licenses all the time for similar conduct.

Hugh Freeze will be a great Auburn coach...perhaps even exceeding their best coach in 20 vs years Gus Malzahn.. translation nothing changes at Auburn with this Hire

Pat Dye mumbled like Bear.....I loved how Bear mumbled ..lmao

my 2 cents worth, I think the powers that be at AU want someone beholding to them, so a good coach with some baggage is more tasteful to them than a Better coach that has some measure of autonomy. Josh I don't think the comparison to Brian Kelly holds a lot of water, Kelly had been to the playoffs and a string of 10 win seasons, I just don't see Freeze reaching that level. (disclaimer Life long Alabama resident and Crimson Tide fan, I want Auburn to get better, so when the undefeated tigers reach the Iron Bowl and get crushed I can hear the wails of anguish from Huntsville to Mobile)

I'm a Bama fan but I think it could be a mistake to hire Freeze but I also thought Bama hiring Lane was possibly a mistake. We know how that turned out. That being said I wouldn't mind Jeremy Pruitt being Bamas defensive coordinator 👍

Auburn search committee wanted someone who could beat Bama ,plain and simple!

His past behavior is bad and I am Not for it but my objection is I don’t think he’s a good fit Whether he wins a natty or not or wins 10 games or 2 only games He’s going to come in and try to win like other sec schools win and it’s not sustainable at auburn. It’s just different at auburn Coach Cadillac has shown us what auburn needs To me if you are taking a chance on a candidate then they should’ve taken a change on Coach Cadillac. Not that it matters but I am a lifelong auburn fan. Graduated from there as did my father and both grandfathers While I will not go against Auburn I can’t support this hire

People’s take on his “situation” at Liberty is far from the truth. The facts are below: - in no way was Hugh Freeze involved in ANY accusation of covering up SA victims at Liberty - the lady that posted the screen shots off Hugh’s DMs has tagged him over 40 times in comments on her social media despite the fact that he had nothing to do with her claims. - Hugh’s first DM to the girl was an invitation to hear her out - Hugh’s second DM was a defense of the AD at Liberty because of the nonstop posts where he was tagged. Should he have dm’d the student, no, but there isn’t any validity to this being a concern. This accusation is an absolute nothing burger.

I just cant even grasp sexually assaulting a woman..Hugh paid the price..Its time to win some games..Mark my word..Kiffin wont ever defeat Freeze at Auburn.

At what price glory? Auburn really demeaned itself hiring that phony. So much for ethics.

Go watch Nick Saban's SI interview on And & But....Thats the difference

College athletics is a cesspool. Great entertainment but sewage nonetheless. I feel like if you get caught horse playing in the pool you should be removed permanently. This should be the cost of doing business in a space like this.

I don’t think peoples biggest issue with Freeze is even the shit at Liberty and for certain not the dial a hooker thing. It’s the rumors that no one will investigate about his time as a high school football and more importantly girls basketball coach. Cuz that shit is wild, then he essentially sold a player to a college and magically got a job and the rest has been chaos.

Hugh Freeze does not deserve this job, but Auburn deserves everything they get from hiring him.

He literally said nothing but sticking up for his boss it wasn't anything out of the way...people need to get over it if is was you you would do the same thing

Ehhhhhhhhhh...I don't see this ending well though.

He’ll win some games and then give Auburn a reason to fire him for cause when they want to move on.

Regardless of what everyone seems to be saying, Auburn is still a dumpster fire, period. All the things they said earlier on Harsin, they are saying about Freeze. Wait till he has a bad season, a rumor will start that he had an affair with an alien, then he's done.

As a working girl, I believe many you guys are being judgmen......... oops.......gotta go........call coming in from a burner phone.

He better not hire Chuck Person as an assistant coach.

I'm in camp four ,I think he in a perfect match ,Auburn is always firing good coaches for no reason and they'll suck off Satan for a W . I wouldn't wish Auburn on my worst enemy.

Wish lsu had hired freezus. Strippers are fun

I have watched you for a while and respect your view. I think I fall into your camp 2. I think there is a path of redemption, but it involves amends, and by amends I mean working towards offsetting the harm he has caused. That means becoming involved in working towards safer college campuses. Creating transparency and accountability around sexual assault and violence on college campuses. Lending his status and position of power to the organizations that having been advocating this work. He caused harm inserting himself into that situation, and his path towards healing involves working in that same space.

The problem I have with this is the the SEC basically told Saban "You can't hire Freeze as your OC". Now that Auburn has hired him as their head coach, Saban needs to hire Jeremy Pruitt as DC and tell the NCAA and SEC to go pound sand.

I wish we wouldn't start already on the damn coach, come on Let me tell u a secret, a lot of coaches have controversy, some of the winning programs dont go Hay wire about it cause they want to WIN! He didnt sexually harass anybody he made a comment afterward and it was frowned upon. Big deal. Everything is offensive now. The Ole Miss stuff was bad but thats 1 strike not 2.

😂😂😂😂 over PRIME

I believe in 2nd chances but obviously he's still a heavy drinker. Who would want to go against Saban and Kirby every year. Ouch!!!

Enough, let’s get to what it means to Auburn Football!

As a Liberty Dad, gonna suck, as a Vol, be interesting to see how it goes. The way JP covers the story just reinforces his top dog status.

Aye it is what is lol Iam Arkansas Razorbacks supporter, we definitely hit hard times when Bobby Petrino hired his side chick on the side and crashed his motorcycle lol 😂 I didn’t think he should’ve got fired but I understand the university could got sued because probably was better equipped employees so I get it.

Not a good hire, Aurburn just ran a rerun of past aurburn coaches

Josh casually omitting that Hugh lied to recruits and players on the team about the NCAA investigation so they couldn’t leave or transfer. Only admitting to it once the report came out after signing day and once Ole Miss restricted the portal so hard they were trapped. This man should never be a head coach at a power 5 school, never give him that power again.

The only coach Auburn could hire .Makes Pat Dye look like a Choir boy..

Auburn done hired them a snake. Don't give this man an extension he will leave you soon after. Any coach that signs a extension and leaves soon after is an evil snake.

Auburn must hate itself .

Auburn would not be happy no matter who it was as coach