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Auburn Tigers coach Hugh Freeze could be on the hot seat. The Tigers dropped a tough one to the Arkansas Razorbacks in a 24-14 loss in open conference play.
The Tigers fell to 2-2 on the season, leaving reason to believe that the Auburn coach could be on his way out after a 6-7 campaign last season. Hugh Freeze led the Tigers to a Music City Bowl appearance in 2023 but lost to the Maryland Terrapins 31-13.
If the Tigers' football program elects to move on from Hugh Freeze, here are three candidates who could replace the coach.
Three potential Hugh Freeze replacements for Auburn
#1 Barry Odom, UNLV
While he's certainly not on the way out at UNLV, Barry Odom is an experienced coach with SEC experience, leading Missouri to back-to-back bowl game appearances in 2017 and 2018.
Odom's UNLV Rebels are 3-0 to start the 2024-25 campaign. He's making his mark at UNLV, leading the Rebels to a bowl appearance in 2023-24. UNLV is starting its 2024-25 campaign off strong, topping Kansas in an upset win in Week 3 before a bye week in Week 4.
The Rebels take on Fresno State in their in-conference matchup. Barry Odom is a name to keep an eye on in the coaching carousel following this season.
#2 Matt Rhule, Nebraska
It would likely take a colossal collapse for Nebraska to move on from Matt Rhule, but if he's unable to capitalize on their immense talent in 2024-25, his seat could get hotter as the season progresses. The Cornhuskers started their season off with a 3-0 record but dropped a Week 4 matchup to Illinois.
Auburn would be an enticing opportunity for Matt Rhule to enter the SEC with a team with more recruiting and NIL resources than Nebraska. For the sake of Cornhuskers fans, we wait to see how the rest of the season unfolds before predicting any firings.
#3 Billy Napier, Florida
Billy Napier is going to be a name thrown out a lot throughout the season as pressure builds around the Florida Gators this season. The Gators mustered an impressive Week 4 win over Mississippi State, but the pressure seems immense when gauging the Gators.
Napier gave Florida fans plenty to be excited about when he was hired after three straight 10-plus win seasons at Louisiana, but a 6-7 season in 2022 and a 5-7 in 2023 has swayed fans in a different direction. Auburn could give the two-time Sun Belt Coach of the Year another shot in the SEC.
