HotFootballTake: If the Seat’s on Fire, Who’s Next at Auburn?
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Hugh Freeze isn’t getting fired today. But after back-to-back SEC losses that exposed every crack in his operation, his buyout isn’t the only thing making Auburn fans sweat. His seat is scorching, and if this slide continues, the question shifts from if to when. And at Auburn? The next question is always: who’s next?
This isn’t about firing a coach in September. It’s about vision. Auburn’s defense is championship-ready—DJ Durkin has those guys hunting—but the offense, discipline, and overall leadership are dragging the program backward. If Freeze can’t fix it, Auburn can’t afford to waste this defensive window.
So here’s MY PERSONAL short list:
Matt Campbell (Iowa State)
The Fixer. Campbell is the culture guy—he turned Iowa State, one of the hardest gigs in college football, into a consistent winner. He builds discipline, toughness, and accountability, the exact foundation Auburn has lacked. He’s a proven program manager who empowers his coordinators and doesn’t let the details slip.
Why He Fits Auburn: He’d stabilize the program and bring instant accountability.
The Cons: His Midwest recruiting chops don’t automatically translate to the SEC meat grinder, and his offenses at Iowa State haven’t been explosive enough to hang with Bama and Georgia. Plus, prying him out of Ames comes with a monster buyout.
Rhett Lashlee (SMU)
The Fan Favorite. Lashlee is Auburn family—he called plays during the 2013 title run, and he’s since built a winner at SMU. He’s 31-14 as a head coach, brought SMU into the ACC, and runs a fast-paced, modern offense that recruits love. His hire would light up the fanbase and boosters overnight.
Why He Fits Auburn: He brings energy, offensive fireworks, and a feel-good Auburn connection.
The Cons: He’s an offensive mind, meaning Auburn’s defense lives and dies by whoever he hires at DC. His buyout at SMU is steep after a new extension, and while he’s proven at the Group of 5 and ACC levels, the SEC is a different animal.
DJ Durkin (Auburn DC)
The Continuity Pick. Durkin has Auburn’s defense playing championship ball right now. He’s one of the best recruiters in the league and knows the SEC as well as anyone. Promoting him would keep the roster intact and avoid another massive buyout hit.
Why He Fits Auburn: He gives you elite recruiting, no transition period, and keeps the defensive standard high.
The Cons: His Maryland tenure ended in scandal, and Auburn would take a PR beating if it put him in charge. His head coaching résumé is thin (11-15), and promoting from within may feel like a half-step instead of the bold reset fans want.
Pete Golding (Ole Miss DC)
The Rising Star. Golding has SEC chops from his time under Saban and has turned Ole Miss into one of the most aggressive defenses in the nation (led the country in sacks last year). He’s young, relentless, and knows how to recruit the South. He also understands the need to pair an elite defense with a dynamic OC.
Why He Fits Auburn: He’s energetic, proven in the SEC, and would give Auburn the defensive identity it craves.
The Cons: He’s never been a head coach, and running an SEC program (with NIL and the portal) is a whole different beast. He also comes with baggage from past recruiting controversies and would require a hefty buyout.
Jon Gruden (Wildcard)
The Chaos Card. Gruden’s name alone would send shockwaves. He’s a Super Bowl-winning coach, an offensive savant, and a QB developer. His hiring would bring massive national attention, NIL money, and instant recruiting juice.
Why He Fits Auburn: If Auburn wants to make noise, Gruden’s name does that on Day 1.
The Cons: His exit from the NFL was ugly and controversial, and Auburn would have to brace for a media firestorm. He hasn’t coached in college in decades, knows nothing about NIL or the transfer portal, and would rely entirely on others to recruit. It’s high-risk, high-reward—pure Auburn chaos.
Here’s the bottom line: Auburn isn’t making a move right now, but the writing’s on the wall. If Freeze keeps wasting this defense with sloppy, self-inflicted offensive disasters, his seat will melt through the chair.
And Auburn better be ready. Because when the fire gets this hot, the question isn’t if Auburn makes a change. It’s if they’ve already lined up the next man before the flames burn the whole thing down.