Is Hugh Freeze Holding Auburn Back By Not Giving Up Play-Calling? I Auburn Football Podcast episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 30, 2025 · 34 MIN

Is Hugh Freeze Holding Auburn Back By Not Giving Up Play-Calling? I Auburn Football Podcast

from The Auburn Express · host The War Rapport || Mike G • B Wil • Ike Jones • C-Dub

🚨 BREAKING: Auburn’s offense is in full crisis mode, and the play calling is at the center of it all. Fans have watched this team struggle to move the ball, and now the question is unavoidable — should Hugh Freeze give up play calling duties? In this episode of Auburn Express, I break down Auburn’s disastrous showing against Texas A&M, where the offense was completely out of sync. From Jackson Arnold’s struggles under pressure, to Xavier Chaplin’s penalties, to an offensive line that couldn’t protect, this was one of the worst Auburn performances in recent memory. The announcers even called out Auburn’s inability to adjust mid-game — a brutal indictment of preparation and execution. We also discuss the larger issue: can a modern head coach be both the CEO of a program and the offensive play caller? History suggests it rarely works long-term. I compare Hugh Freeze’s situation to Gus Malzahn’s struggles as a dual-role coach, and how Gus thrived again when he returned to just being a play caller at Florida State. But this isn’t just about Hugh Freeze. Athletic Director John Cohen is also under the microscope. Cohen has delivered every resource Hugh has asked for — staff hires, NIL support, facilities upgrades. Yet in Year 3, results aren’t there. Auburn’s loyal fanbase is running out of patience. A bye week before Georgia gives Freeze a narrow window to fix things. Auburn has too much talent to be this inefficient on offense. Four and two keeps the season alive — but without adjustments, Auburn risks heading into the Iron Bowl with nothing left to play for. Chapters: 0:00 – Should Hugh Freeze give up play calling? 2:00 – Auburn’s offensive disaster vs Texas A&M 5:00 – Jackson Arnold & O-Line breakdown 8:00 – Can head coaches still call plays in 2025? 12:00 – John Cohen’s role in Auburn’s struggles 16:00 – What Auburn must do before Georgia 💥 Sponsors: Abels, I Know, Moore & Associates – ameanc.com | Call (912) 777-4128 | Clear, simple investing. Sky Tobacco & Vape – Columbus & Phoenix City locations for all your smoke shop needs. Rogue Shop – rogueshop.com | Use code Rapport for 15% off. Sets For Society – setsforsociety.ai | Custom personality assessments. Golden’s Cast Iron – goldenscastiron.com/twitter | Code GetYourWeightUp for 15% off weights & $65 off grills. The Vibe Vault – 3462 Crossroads Road Suite C, Phenix City, AL. 👉 Smash the LIKE button, SUBSCRIBE, and drop your comments. Should Hugh Freeze give up play calling? How much blame falls on John Cohen? Auburn fans, your voice matters! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

🚨 BREAKING: Auburn’s offense is in full crisis mode, and the play calling is at the center of it all. Fans have watched this team struggle to move the ball, and now the question is unavoidable — should Hugh Freeze give up play calling duties? In this episode of Auburn Express, I break down Auburn’s disastrous showing against Texas A&M, where the offense was completely out of sync. From Jackson Arnold’s struggles under pressure, to Xavier Chaplin’s penalties, to an offensive line that couldn’t protect, this was one of the worst Auburn performances in recent memory. The announcers even called out Auburn’s inability to adjust mid-game — a brutal indictment of preparation and execution. We also discuss the larger issue: can a modern head coach be both the CEO of a program and the offensive play caller? History suggests it rarely works long-term. I compare Hugh Freeze’s situation to Gus Malzahn’s struggles as a dual-role coach, and how Gus thrived again when he returned to just being a play caller at Florida State. But this isn’t just about Hugh Freeze. Athletic Director John Cohen is also under the microscope. Cohen has delivered every resource Hugh has asked for — staff hires, NIL support, facilities upgrades. Yet in Year 3, results aren’t there. Auburn’s loyal fanbase is running out of patience. A bye week before Georgia gives Freeze a narrow window to fix things. Auburn has too much talent to be this inefficient on offense. Four and two keeps the season alive — but without adjustments, Auburn risks heading into the Iron Bowl with nothing left to play for. Chapters: 0:00 – Should Hugh Freeze give up play calling? 2:00 – Auburn’s offensive disaster vs Texas A&M 5:00 – Jackson Arnold & O-Line breakdown 8:00 – Can head coaches still call plays in 2025? 12:00 – John Cohen’s role in Auburn’s struggles 16:00 – What Auburn must do before Georgia 💥 Sponsors: Abels, I Know, Moore & Associates – ameanc.com | Call (912) 777-4128 | Clear, simple investing. Sky Tobacco & Vape – Columbus & Phoenix City locations for all your smoke shop needs. Rogue Shop – rogueshop.com | Use code Rapport for 15% off. Sets For Society – setsforsociety.ai | Custom personality assessments. Golden’s Cast Iron – goldenscastiron.com/twitter | Code GetYourWeightUp for 15% off weights & $65 off grills. The Vibe Vault – 3462 Crossroads Road Suite C, Phenix City, AL. 👉 Smash the LIKE button, SUBSCRIBE, and drop your comments. Should Hugh Freeze give up play calling? How much blame falls on John Cohen? Auburn fans, your voice matters! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Is Hugh Freeze Holding Auburn Back By Not Giving Up Play-Calling? I Auburn Football Podcast

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This episode was published on September 30, 2025.

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🚨 BREAKING: Auburn’s offense is in full crisis mode, and the play calling is at the center of it all. Fans have watched this team struggle to move the ball, and now the question is unavoidable — should Hugh Freeze give up play calling duties? In...

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