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The Auburn Tigers football team opened its latest SEC practice amid rising expectations, as head coach Hugh Freeze works to lead the program back to prominence in the upcoming season. Following consecutive losing seasons, each practice is now closely under the microscope, with Auburn players and coaches facing mounting scrutiny from fans and media alike. Key storylines include the leadership of Freeze, the progression of Auburn players, and the renewed determination within the Tigers football program to return to a winning standard.
Freeze, hired as Auburn’s head coach in late 2022, faces high stakes after back-to-back losing seasons and heightened demands for a bowl appearance this fall. The Tigers football squad has not posted a winning record since 2021, and Auburn’s tradition of success means patience is running thin. On Wednesday, the Tigers held their sixth preseason practice, a session that the head coach openly criticized as sluggish and lacking energy, especially compared to a stronger, media-attended practice Monday. This dip in intensity raises concerns about the consistency and motivation of Auburn players as the grind of camp intensifies.
AL.com’s Peter Rauterkus attended the team's post-practice media session and captured the coach’s frustration after the lackluster effort. Rauterkus shared Freeze’s direct challenge to the Tigers football roster regarding the need for internal accountability.
“I told them just a while ago, if you’re only excellent when people are watching, it’s really not excellence — it’s just performing.”
Freeze pointed out that while some moments in the sixth session may have been promising, others left much to be desired.
“There were spurts of practice that were really good, and there were others where I think we just kinda got through. We’ve got to improve that and make sure that every rep, every day must be stacked in order to win these competitive, close games that we’re gonna be in.”
The coach’s message was clear that Auburn players must bring full effort regardless of setting or outside attention. Following recent recruiting challenges and an offseason filled with questions about the program’s direction, Freeze’s call for consistency highlights how essential steady improvement is for the Tigers. With a demanding SEC schedule on the horizon, including daunting road games against the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn needs rapid growth from its young roster and greater commitment during every practice going forward.
Auburn fans and college football analysts now see the third-year coach's comments as a pivotal moment for the Auburn football team, one that could set the tone for the 2025 season. As the season opener approaches against the Baylor Bears, all eyes will be on how the players respond to the challenge and whether the Auburn football program can deliver the accountability and effort needed to restore their winning tradition.
