AP: Auburn Hiring Hugh Freeze as Head Football Coach

Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze watches as players warm up prior to an NCAA college football game against against the Connecticut in East Hartford, Conn., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (AP Photo / Bryan Woolston)

Auburn is hiring Liberty coach Hugh Freeze to take over the football program more than five years after his resignation from SEC Western Division rival Mississippi amid both personal and NCAA scandals.

A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that Freeze has signed a memorandum of understanding with the school. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because final details of the contract were still being worked out and approved.

Freeze went 34-15 in four seasons at Liberty. He replaces Bryan Harsin, who was fired on Oct. 31 after going 9-12 in less than two seasons at a proud program that has fallen on hard times.

Sports Illustrated was first to report that Auburn was finalizing a deal with Freeze.

Freeze took over at Liberty in December 2018 and the Flames became the second program to win a bowl game during each of its first three seasons in FBS.

His 2020 team finished 10-1 and ranked No. 17. Liberty (8-4) was upset by New Mexico State 49-14 on Saturday in its regular-season finale, losing three straight after knocking off Arkansas.

Freeze is 68-44 in 11 seasons as a head coach.

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