See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: Hugh Freeze EXCLUSIVE Convo with David Pollack Post-Auburn Firing

Date: December 2, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features the first public, in-depth conversation with Hugh Freeze following his firing as Auburn’s head football coach. David Pollack facilitates a candid discussion about Freeze's emotions in the aftermath, the realities of building a program in today’s college football climate, leadership philosophies, and the challenges inherent to the modern college game. The two explore topics ranging from close losses, roster management, and NIL to the impact of realignment and what Freeze sees as needed reforms in the sport. Listeners get unique insights into Freeze’s mindset and plans for the future.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hugh Freeze’s Immediate Emotions Post-Firing

• Mix of Emotions: Freeze describes a range including disappointment, gratitude, and humility (03:05).
  • “It's a mixture of some, of all of it... I have a sense of joy and thankfulness that Auburn gave me a chance at a place that I love and my family loves... Do I wish I had more time because we were so dang close?” — Hugh Freeze (03:06)
• Responsibility and Perspective: Freeze centers on leading "young men the right way" and being faithful to what he could control.
  • “In God's economy, I'm responsible for the work, He's responsible for the fruits.” — Hugh Freeze (03:33)
• No Bitterness Toward Administrators: Expresses gratitude for Auburn’s administration and reiterates he doesn't hold anger — just wishes the outcome were different.

2. The Season’s Close Losses and Near Misses

• Pain of Narrow Defeats: Freeze and Pollack note 7 SEC games decided by a touchdown or less.
  • “There’s no question we were really, really close with the elite teams in this conference of winning games... But we didn't do that.” — Hugh Freeze (04:56)
• Factors in Losses: Freeze points to critical mistakes and a few officiating calls but stops short of casting blame.
  • “Officiating, if we were to be true picky, I think hurt us in several games, and I really can’t control some of that.” — Hugh Freeze (04:36)
• Culture Change: Stresses the locker room’s leadership and the positive response of his players throughout adversity.
  • “After heartbreak, loss, heartbreak, loss, they still respond and still respond... I think that speaks to the great leadership in the locker room and the culture.” — Hugh Freeze (11:20)

3. The Auburn Firing: Breaking the News & Environment

• Finding Out: Learned of his dismissal from a close administrator following the Kentucky game (11:40).
  • “He was always welcome in my office... And I knew as soon as he walked in, he was emotional. Obviously, I was emotional.” — Hugh Freeze (12:40)
• Booster Influence Myth: Pollack raises the notorious Auburn booster dynamic. Freeze rebuts strongly.
  • “I had zero issues with boosters trying to insert themselves... Never once did I feel like that there was, that I didn't have control over what happened in our building.” — Hugh Freeze (14:20)
• Fan Reaction: Acknowledges support and also the harsher critiques that come with losing at a major SEC school.
  • “You hear the displeasure... It's not G rated... We sign up for it. I hate it for my kids and wife and the families of our coaches.” — Hugh Freeze (15:57)

4. The State of College Football: Hiring/Firing, NIL, the Portal, Calendar

• Broken System: Freeze echoes widespread frustration about the pressures and broken incentives in college football today.
  • “We have created a system where it is playoffs or you have failed. And that's the system that... whoever sits in those rooms has created.” — Hugh Freeze (16:03)
• Coaching Moves & Lane Kiffin Parallel: On the difficulty coaches face with abrupt moves, incomplete seasons.
  • “None of them are easy. You're getting ready to hurt the very group that has helped you have those decisions…” — Hugh Freeze (18:41)
• Players Are Most Impacted: Both agree student-athletes are the ones least protected by current processes.
  • “We’re hurting the players in a lot of ways... there’s no question it affects them.” — Hugh Freeze (21:11)

5. Solutions for College Football’s Calendar and Transfer Chaos

• Needed Reforms: Freeze proposes moving signing day back to February, aligning the calendar, and expanding the playoff.
  • “Signing day has got to go back to February... You don’t have a signing day before the portal, because how are you going to manage your 85-man roster?” — Hugh Freeze (22:10)
  • “I would also do away with all the championship games... and start a 24-team playoff… You give more teams [a shot] and you start a 24-team playoff.” — Hugh Freeze (24:49)
• Call for Coaches’ Input: Advocates for coaches to be given a voice in rule and calendar changes.

6. Advice to Alex Golesh, New Auburn Coach

• Roster Retention is #1: Freeze stresses importance of keeping the current roster together above all else (27:22).
  • “Retain your roster because it’s a good roster... That’s something we wouldn’t have said five years ago.”
• Demands on a New Coach: Highlights the overwhelming number of simultaneous challenges for new head coaches now—staffing, recruiting, portal, NIL, and personnel management.
  • “This thing is a major operation, and so he's got all of that on his plate. Signing day, Wednesday, portal getting ready to open soon… an entire team that probably wants to meet with you.” — Hugh Freeze (28:07)

7. What’s Next for Hugh Freeze?

• Not Done Coaching: Freeze is physically feeling better after surgery, mentally refreshed, and still intent on leading a program.
  • “I'm not through coaching. I don't believe that for one minute... I want to coach again. I've got a great staff ready to go.” — Hugh Freeze (29:25)
  • “I guess if... I don't like that this sounds kind of ugly, but I'm kind of pissed off too. And a little something to prove.” — Hugh Freeze (33:10)
• Family and Faith: Ready to be patient if called to wait, but the competitive fire is very much alive.

8. Myths, Media, and Golf

• Media Narratives: Freeze rebuts rumors he’d been golfing during the season, clarifies his back condition prevented it, and expresses incredulity at how fast misinformation spreads (34:39).
  • “I can honestly say I did not play golf. My back wouldn't let me, number one. Nor were we playing well enough.”
• Pollack’s Take: Wraps by expressing his wish for his own son to be coached by someone like Freeze (34:02).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On emotions after being fired:

  • “I don't really have anger. I do have the disappointment and the sense of failure and those things. But I know in God's economy I was faithful and I know that we led families the right way and a program the right way.” — Hugh Freeze (06:03)

• On Auburn's culture and environment:

  • “I never felt anything but support from our fans and the boosters, obviously until we started losing those close games and you have to walk off the field and you hear the displeasure of a lot of people…” — Hugh Freeze (15:32)

• On boosters at Auburn:

  • “I had zero issues with boosters trying to insert themselves, so I don't know what people's... but I never once did I feel like that there was, that I didn't have control over what happened in our building.” — Hugh Freeze (14:20)

• On the current state of college football:

  • “We have created a system where it is playoffs or you have failed. And that's the system that... whoever sits in those rooms has created.” — Hugh Freeze (16:03)

• On solutions for chaos in recruiting/portal:

  • “If the presidents would see we have a major issue and we've got to fix the calendar... move signing day back to February that would... probably maybe move spring practice to like some OTAs in June.” — Hugh Freeze (22:10)

• On what’s next:

  • “I'm not through coaching. I don't believe that for one minute. ...I think my resume kind of speaks for itself. And I'm a little pissed off and can't wait to whenever that time is… I think we'll be back out there.” — Hugh Freeze (29:25, 33:38)

Key Timestamps for Segments

• 03:05–07:40: Freeze’s emotional reaction and perspective on his firing
• 08:08–10:51: Analysis of Auburn’s narrow losses/differences at Auburn
• 11:40–13:36: Freeze explains how he was informed of firing
• 14:20–17:45: The truth about boosters and support at Auburn
• 18:41–22:07: Lane Kiffin situation, dysfunctional calendar, how players are most affected
• 22:10–25:36: Freeze’s fixes for college football’s calendar and transfer issues
• 27:11–29:14: Advice for Alex Golesh, new Auburn coach: roster, staff, challenges
• 29:25–33:38: Freeze’s future plans, desire to coach, competitive fire
• 34:39–35:55: Debunking the golf rumor, misinformation
• 34:02–36:26: Final thoughts, Pollack’s endorsement, wrap-up

Summary Takeaway

This episode offers clear insight into how Hugh Freeze processes high-level adversity, his unfiltered views on the profession’s demands, and pragmatic solutions for some of college football’s biggest issues. Freeze repeatedly emphasizes relationships, culture, and responsibility, while refusing to indulge in bitterness or scapegoating. Simultaneously, he issues a direct challenge to the sport’s leadership to address the core problems afflicting athletes and coaches today—all while making it clear he’s eager and ready for another opportunity to lead.

For those seeking a window into today’s college football climate from a head coach’s perspective—and the heart behind high-pressure leadership—this episode is a must-listen.