< Previous30 HEAD COACH HUGH FREEZE Treadwell was Ole Miss’ first ever SEC Freshman of the Year in 2013 and be- came the school’s first Biletnikoff Award finalist in 2015. Nkemdiche was the first defensive lineman to be named a Hor- nung Award finalist. Engram won the Ozzie Newsome and Pop Warner Col- lege Football awards following the 2016 season. Eleven Ole Miss players were select- ed in the NFL Draft during Freeze’s time as head coach, including first-rounder Engram as well as D.J. Jones, Derrick Jones and Chad Kelly in 2017. In 2016, the Rebels had three first-round draft picks in Tunsil, Treadwell and Nkemdi- che. As head coach at Arkansas State in 2011, the Red Wolves captured the Sun Belt Conference championship with a 10-2 overall record. It marked the pro- gram’s first 10-win season since 1986 and the best debut season ever by an A-State head coach. Freeze was named Sun Belt Coach of the Year and 13 of his pupils earned all-conference honors. Freeze’s first season in Jonesboro saw him serve as Arkansas State’s offensive coordinator, guiding the Red Wolves’ of- fense to a record-breaking year in 2010. Before Arkansas State, Freeze com- piled a 20-5 record over the 2008 and 2009 seasons at the helm of the Lam- buth University football program in Jackson, Tenn. Freeze was named the American Football Coaches Associa- tion’s Southeast Region Coach of the Year in 2009 after leading the Eagles to their best regular season in school histo- ry with an 11-0 record. Under Freeze’s direction, Lambuth won the Mid-South Conference West Division, advanced to the second round of the NAIA playoffs for the first time since 1999, finished the year with a 12-1 mark and ascended to the No. 6 ranking in NAIA. Prior to taking over as head coach at Lambuth, Freeze served on the Ole Miss staff from 2005-07, including the final two seasons as the tight ends coach. Freeze served 13 years at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis as a teach- er, coach and administrator. He was the Saints’ head football coach from 1995 to 2004, running the no-huddle “spread system” for six years that led to six straight state championship games. Freeze compiled a 99-23 record while at Briarcrest, which included an undefeated season in 1996 and state championships in 2002 and 2004. He won six regional titles and was the Re- gion 8-AA coach of the year five times and Associated Press coach of the year four times. Among his talented players during that period were eventual Rebels and NFL starters Michael Oher and Greg Hardy. Before assuming the role of head coach at Briarcrest, Freeze served as offensive coordinator and defensive backs coach from 1992-94, as the Saints reached the TSSAA state semifinals twice. A 1988 graduate of Senatobia (Miss.) High School, Freeze received an associ- ate’s degree from Northwest Mississippi Community College in 1990 and was a two-year letterwinner on the Ranger baseball team. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in coaching and sports administration from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1992. While attending USM, Freeze be- came active in mission projects, serving as a missionary in Houston, Salt Lake City, St. Petersburg, Russia and Australia. Freeze also served as state president for the Mississippi Baptist Student Union. In 2013, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) awarded Freeze the Grant Teaff coach of the year award. Freeze has been heavily involved with FCA throughout his career; he has been featured in the FCA Magazine and spo- ken at FCA functions. Freeze was also a finalist for the 2014 Bear Bryant Award and the 2014 Bobby Dodd Trophy while at Ole Miss. Born in Oxford and raised in Inde- pendence, Miss., Hugh and his wife Jill are the parents of three daughters: Ra- gan, Jordan (an Auburn graduate) and Madison. They have one granddaughter, Hudson. AUBURNTIGERS.COM FREEZE AT A GLANCE PERSONAL Hometown: Independence, Mississippi Wife: Jill Daughters: Ragan, Jordan and Madison Education: Southern Miss (1992) COACHING EXPERIENCE 2023-current: Auburn (Head Coach) 2019-22 – Liberty (Head Coach) 2018 – Arizona Hotshots (Offensive Coordinator/Oct. 2018 – Dec. 2018) 2012-16 – Ole Miss (Head Coach) 2011 – Arkansas State (Head Coach) 2010 – Arkansas State (Offensive Coordinator) 2010 – San Jose State (Offensive Coordinator/Dec. 2009 – Feb. 2010) 2008-09 – Lambuth (Head Coach) 2006-07 – Ole Miss (Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator) 2005 – Ole Miss (Assistant AD for Football External Affairs) 1995-04 – Briarcrest High School/Tenn. (Head Coach) 1992-94 – Briarcrest High School/Tenn. (Offensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs) CAREER COACHING HONORS 2020 George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year finalist 2013 Grant Teaff FCA Coach of the Year 2011 Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year 2009 AFCA Southeast Region Coach of the Year 2009 Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year 5-Time Region 8-AA Coach of the Year 4-Time Associated Press High School Coach of the YearA Complete Range of Vehicles for a Complete Game Plan! Where You are Always #1! KiaOfAuburn.com 1687 South College Street Auburn, AL 36832 (334) 329-745132 2023 COACHING STAFF Assistant Coaches AUBURNTIGERS.COM BEN AIGAMAUA Tight Ends TANNER BURNS Special Teams JOSH ALDRIDGE Linebackers MARCUS DAVIS Wide Receivers Coaching Experience 2010 ........................................................................Lambuth: Defensive Graduate Assistant 2011 ...............................................................Arkansas Tech: Offensive Graduate Assistant 2012-18 ..............................................Ole Miss: Offensive Graduate Assistant (2012-14), .............................................................................................Player Personnel Analyst (2015-16), .......................................................................Assistant AD/Community Relations (2017-18) 2019-22 .............................................................................................................Liberty: Tight Ends 2023 - ...............................................................................................................Auburn: Tight Ends Postseason/Bowl Experience Player ...................................................................2008 NAIA playoffs, 2009 NAIA playoffs Coach.........................................................................2013 BBVA Compass, 2013 Music City, .....................................................................2014 Chick-fil-a Peach, 2016 Sugar, 2019 Cure, .................................................................2020 Cure, 2021 Lending Tree, 2022 Boca Raton Personal Hometown ............................................................................................Leone, American Samoa Wife ............................................................................................................................................Kendra Children .......................................................................................................................Lily, Benjamin Education College ...........................................................................................Lambuth (Bachelor’s, 2010) ..................................................................................................................Ole Miss (Master‘s, 2015) Playing Experience 2006-09..............................................................................................Lambuth (defensive line) Coaching Experience 2013 ..............................................................Oakland Raiders (NFL): Special Teams Intern 2014-18 ..................................................................Arkansas: Special Teams Quality Control 2019-2022 ...............................................Liberty: Special Teams Coordinator (2019-22), ....................................................................................................Outside Linebackers (2020-22) 2023 .................................................................................Auburn: Special Teams Coordinator Postseason/Bowl Experience 2014 Texas, 2015 Liberty, 2016 Belk, 2019 Cure, 2020 Cure, 2021 Lending Tree, 2022 Boca Raton Personal Hometown ..................................................................................................... San José, California Wife ...............................................................................................................................................Becca Children ....................................................................................................................Blakely, Kinsley Education College .....................................................................................................................Ole Miss (2012) Coaching Experience 2013 .......................................................................................Ouachita Baptist: Defensive Line 2013 .......................................................................................Lindenwood: Graduate Assistant 2014-17 .....................................West Georgia: Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator 2018 .................................................Lenoir-Rhyne: Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers 2019-22 ....................................Liberty: Defensive Line (2019-21), Linebackers (2022), ...............................................................................................Co-Defensive Coordinator (2022) 2023 - ............................................................................................................Auburn: Linebackers Postseason/Bowl Experience Coach:............................................................NCAA Division II playoffs (2014, 2015, 2017), .....................................................................2018 Division II Super Region finals, 2019 Cure, .................................................................2020 Cure, 2021 Lending Tree, 2022 Boca Raton Personal Hometown .....................................................................................................Jackson, Tennessee Wife .............................................................................................................................................Jessica Children .......................................................................................................................Braxton, Nora Education College .......................................................................................................................Harding (2012) Playing Experience 2008-11 .............................................................................................Harding (defensive tackle) Coaching Experience 2018-19 ...............................................................................Auburn: Offensive Analyst (2018), .........................................................................Assistant Director of Player Personnel (2019) 2020 .................................................................Florida State: Offensive Graduate Assistant 2021 ...........................................................................................................Hawaii: Wide Receivers 2022 ..................................................................................Georgia Southern: Wide Receivers 2023 - .....................................................................................................Auburn: Wide Receivers Postseason/Bowl Experience Player ............................................................................2014 BCS Championship/Pasadena, ........................................................................2014 Outback, 2015 Birmingham, 2016 Sugar Coach............................2018 Music City, 2019 Outback, 2021 Hawaii, 2022 Camellia Personal Hometown ..............................................................................................Boynton Beach, Florida Wife ..........................................................................................................................................Amberly Children ........................................................................................................................................Milah Education College ...............................................................Auburn (Bachelor’s, 2016; Master’s, 2017) Playing Experience 2013-16 ......................................................................................................Auburn (wide receiver)GOTIGERS! GOTIGERS! DowntownAuburn 129E.GlennAvenue (334)209-6390 1684S.CollegeStreet (334)209-2233 1673ShugJordanPkwy. (334)209-1295 SERVINGAUBURNFOROVER40YEARS34 2023 COACHING STAFF Assistant Coaches AUBURNTIGERS.COM ZAC ETHERIDGE Secondary JEREMY GARRETT Defensive Line PHILIP MONTGOMERY Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks RON ROBERTS Defensive Coordinator Coaching Experience 2012 ...........................................................................................Penn State: Graduate Assistant 2013-14 ................................................................................Georgia Tech: Graduate Assistant 2016-17 ......................................Western Carolina: Cornerbacks/Outside Linebackers 2018 ...........................................................................................................Louisiana: Cornerbacks 2019-20 .....................................................................................................Houston: Cornerbacks 2021- .............................................................................................Auburn: Cornerbacks (2021), .............................................Secondary/Associate Head Coach (2022), Safeties (2023) Postseason/Bowl Experience Player .................................................................2007 Cotton, 2007 Peach, 2010 Outback, ................................................................................................2011 BCS National Championship Coach.........................2013 Music City, 2014 Orange, 2018 Cure, 2020 New Mexico, ..................................................................................................................................2021 Birmingham Personal Hometown .................................................................................................................Troy, Alabama Children ............................................................................................................................................Mia Education College ......................................................................................................................Auburn (2009) Playing Experience 2006-10 ...................................................................................................................Auburn (safety) 2011 .............................................................................................................Oakland Raiders (NFL) Coaching Experience 2010 .....................................................Southhaven High School (Miss.): Assistant Coach 2011-18 .........................Ensworth High School (Tenn.): Defensive Assistant (2011-17), ..............................................................................................................................Head Coach (2018) 2019 .........................................................Vanderbilt: Defensive Quality Control Assistant 2020-21 ............................Cleveland Browns (NFL): Assistant Defensive Line Coach 2022 ...........................................................................................................Liberty: Defensive Line 2023 -........................................................................................................Auburn: Defensive Line Postseason/Bowl Experience Coach...........................................................................2020 NFL playoffs, 2022 Boca Raton Personal Hometown .................................................................................................Senatobia, Mississippi Wife ..................................................................................................................................................Shay Children .......................................................................................................Grace, Jayden, Jacob Education College ............................................................................................Ole Miss (Bachelor’s, 2007) ...................................................................................................................Harding (Master’s, 2010) Playing Experience 2004-07 ..........................................................................................Ole Miss (defensive tackle) Coaching Experience 1994-95 ...............................................Tarleton State: Student Assistant/Running Backs 1996-01.............................Stephenville High School (Texas): Quarterbacks/Backfield 2002 ...............................................Denton High School (Texas): Offensive Coordinator 2003-07 ....................................................Houston: Quarterbacks/Backfield (2003-07), ........................................................................................Co-Offensive Coordinator (2006-07) 2008-14 ...................................Baylor: Quarterbacks, Offensive Coordinator (2011-14) 2015-22 ..............................................................................................................Tulsa: Head Coach 2023 -.........................................................Auburn: Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Postseason/Bowl Experience Coach.........................................................2003 Hawaii, 2005 Fort Worth, 2006 Liberty, ..............................................................2007 Texas, 2010 Texas, 2011 Alamo, 2012 Holiday, .....................................................................2014 Fiesta, 2015 Cotton, 2015 Independence, ...........................................2016 Miami Beach, 2020 Armed Forces, 2021 Myrtle Beach Personal Hometown ...............................................................................................................Eastland, Texas Wife ..................................................................................................................................................Ashli Children .......................................................................................................................Cannon, Maci Education College ...........................................................................................................Tarleton State (1995) Playing Experience 1990-93............................................................................Tarleton State (quarterback, safety) Coaching Experience 1992-93 .......................................Houston High School (Tenn.): Defensive Coordinator 1994-96 .........................................................Burroughs High School (Calif.): Head Coach 1997 ................................................................Greensboro College: Defensive Coordinator 1998-02 ..............................Tusculum: Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach 2003 ..................................................................................Texas State: Defensive Coordinator 2004 ....................................................Mount Whitney High School (Calif.): Head Coach 2005-11 ...................................................Delta State: Defensive Coordinator (2005-06), ........................................................................................................................Head Coach (2007-11) 2012-17 ........................................................................Southeastern Louisiana: Head Coach 2018-19 ...........................................................Louisiana Lafayette: Defensive Coordinator 2020-22....................................................................................Baylor: Defensive Coordinator 2023 -.......................................................................................Auburn: Defensive Coordinator Postseason/Bowl Experience Player .......................................................................................................1988 NCAA DII playoffs Coach................2006-07-08-11 NCAA DII playoffs, 2010 DII championship game, ...............................2013-14 FCS playoffs, 2018 Cure, 2020 LendingTree, 2022 Sugar Personal Hometown ...........................................................................................................Visalia, California Wife ...................................................................................................................................................Didi Children ...............................................................................................................Reed, Reilly, Ryan Education College ..........................................................................Tennessee Martin (Bachelor’s, 1990) .................................................................................................................Memphis (Master’s, 1992) Playing Experience 1985-86 .........................................................................College of the Sequoias (linebacker) 1988-89 .....................................................................................Tennessee Martin (linebacker) Auburn Family, let’s Sack Obesity! Established in 1984, Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation has raised more than $120 million—in partnership with generous donors—to support new programs, education, equipment, technology, and capital expansion across Ascension St. Vincent’s Central Alabama footprint. We also address the special needs of our patients and their family members. Visit stvfoundation.org to learn more. Childhood obesity presents a serious threat to the health of children in the United States with 1 in 3 overweight or obese. That’s why Coach Freeze, Physicians Realty Trust, and Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation are partnering on the Sack Obesity initiative. Last year, $25,000 was raised. Physicians Realty Trust has committed a generous contribution of $750 to Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation for every quarterback sackthe Auburn defense makes during the 2023 season. These funds will be used to purchase P.E. equipment in five greater Central Alabama and five Opelika City elementary schools to expand existing exercise opportunities and combat obesity. Join the effort! To make a donation, visit stvfoundation.org/sack-obesity or scan the QR code below. St. Francis Xavier School in Birmingham was one of last year’s recipients. Scan here to Sack Obesity36 2023 COACHING STAFF Assistant Coaches AUBURNTIGERS.COM DOM STUDZINSKI Head Strength and Conditioning Coach JAKE THORNTON Offensive Line CARNELL WILLIAMS Associate Head Coach/Running Backs Coaching Experience 2010 ...............................Tulsa: Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach 2010-12 ....Southern Miss: Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach 2012-18 ...................Ole Miss: Assistant Football Strength and Conditioning Coach 2019-22 ...............................................Liberty: Head Strength and Conditioning Coach 2023- ..................................................Auburn: Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, ........................................................................................................................Assistant Head Coach Postseason/Bowl Experience Player ..............................2006 NAIA National Champions, 2007 NAIA Runners-Up, ..........................2008 NAIA National Champions, 2009 NAIA National Champions, ....................................................................................................................2010 NAIA Runners-Up Coach............................................. 2011 Hawaii, 2013 BBVA Compass, 2013 Music City, ....................................................................2014 Chick-fil-A Peach, 2016 Sugar, 2019 Cure, .................................................................2020 Cure, 2021 Lending Tree, 2022 Boca Raton Personal Hometown ...........................................................................................Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin Wife .............................................................................................................................................Hayley Children .......................................................................................................................Magnus, Milo Education College .........................................................................................Sioux Falls (Bachelor’s, 2010) .......................................................................................................Southern Miss (Master’s, 2012) Playing Experience 2006-09...................................................................................................Sioux Falls (linebacker) Coaching Experience 2016 ...............................................................Western Carolina: Offensive Quality Control 2017 ................................................................Alabama: Offensive Line Graduate Assistant 2018-19 .................................Tennessee Tech: Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator 2020 ......................................Gardner-Webb: Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator 2021-22 ..................................................................................................Ole Miss: Offensive Line 2023 - .......................................................................................................Auburn: Offensive Line Postseason/Bowl Experience Coach......2018 Sugar, 2018 BCS Championship/Atlanta, 2022 Sugar, 2022 Texas Personal Hometown .............................................................................................................Toccoa, Georgia Wife ...............................................................................................................................................Alyssa Children .........................................................................................................................Shaw, Sutton Education College ...................................................................................................Western Carolina (2015) Playing Experience 2011-12 .................................................................................................Carson-Newman (center) 2013-15 ...............................................................................................Western Carolina (center) Coaching Experience 2015 .......................................................................................................................Henderson State: ...........................................................NFL Players Association Coaching Internship (RBs) 2016 ...............................................................West Georgia: Offensive Graduate Assistant 2017 .............................................................................................IMG Academy: Running Backs 2018 .........................................................................Birmingham Iron (AAF): Running Backs 2019- .................................................................................Auburn: Running Backs (2019-23), ............................................................................................................Interim Head Coach (2022), ........................................................................................................Associate Head Coach (2023) Postseason/Bowl Experience Player ..................................................2001 Peach, 2003 Capital One, 2003 Music City, ............................................................................................................................................. 2005 Sugar Coach.........................................................2020 Outback, 2021 Citrus, 2021 Birmingham Personal Hometown .......................................................................................................Gadsden, Alabama Wife ............................................................................................................................Evan-Christina Children ...........................................................................................................................Cole, Cuinn Education College .......................................................................................................................Auburn (2014) Playing Experience 2001-04 ....................................................................................................Auburn (running back) 2005-10 ......................................................................................Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) 2011 .................................................................................................................St. Louis Rams (NFL) charles barkley owned and approved charles barkley owned and approved officialpartnerofofficialpartnerof auburnathleticsauburnathletics redmontvodka.com livelegendary,responsiblyAuburn University is constantly in- vesting in the educational betterment of its students, faculty and staff. Doing that requires consistent upgrades and creative thinking, bringing the campus infrastruc- ture up to date with current and future technological advances. Completed in 2022, the Academ- ic Classroom and Laboratory Complex (ACLC), Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Sci- ence Center and the Football Performance Center represent the largest and most cur- rent advances in Auburn’s timeline. Academic Classroom and Labo- ratory Complex — The complex is a 151,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility with a total seating capacity of more than 2,000 students in 20 hybrid classrooms/laboratories and 11 Engaged and Active Student Learning (EASL) classrooms/lecture halls. When the ACLC opened for the fall 2022 semester, it increased the amount of EASL space on campus by 40 percent. Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Sci- ence Center —This is a first-of-its-kind building for Auburn University as it combines a major academic compo- nent with revenue-generating elements. The 142,000-square-foot facility also opened its doors for the fall 2022 semes- ter. It is home to the College of Human Sciences’ Horst Schulze School of Hos- pitality Management and features class- rooms, culinary laboratories and food and beverage venues. The building also houses The Laurel Hotel & Spa and 1856 — Culinary Residence, where students receive hands-on training. Woltosz Football Perfor- mance Center — The center is a 233,400-square-foot facility consisting of a 138,100-square-foot Football Op- erations Building, a 95,300-square-foot indoor practice facility and two full-sized, natural grass outdoor fields. Key focus areas for the operations building are a 25,000-square-foot Creel Family Play- er Development Lab offering strength and conditioning equipment and train- ing space, the Huddle Locker Room and a state-of-the-art sports medicine facili- ty that includes hydrotherapy. These efforts to build innovative fa- cilities that invest in the student, faculty and staff experience continue with the following projects. A new building for the College of Education and the STEM + Agricultural Sciences Complex will be constructed on the former site of the Hill Residence Halls. College of Education Building — Currently under construction, the new facility is scheduled to open for class during the spring 2025 semester. The 167,000-square-foot, three-story build- ing will include modern and collabo- rative classrooms, instructional labo- ratories, up-to-date technology and administrative spaces for faculty and staff. It will also consolidate the college’s departments into one building that is lo- cated at a prominent campus location — the corner of West Samford Avenue and Duncan Drive. STEM + Agricultural Sciences Com- plex — This is on track to be one of the largest academic projects in Auburn University history. The 265,000-square- foot complex will consist of three, three-story buildings and will facilitate the university’s efforts to replace and upgrade STEM-related and agricultural science facilities. It will support six de- partments within the College of Agri- culture and the College of Sciences and Mathematics, providing key collabora- tive research opportunities and efficient, modernized lab space and support facil- ities to meet the needs of competitive research. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics will be relocated from Parker Hall, the Department of Geosciences will be relocated from Beard-Eaves-Me- morial Coliseum and four other depart- ments will be relocated from Funchess Hall. These relocations will enable the immediate demolition of Parker Hall and will facilitate the eventual demolition of Funchess Hall and the coliseum. The es- timated completion for this complex is fall semester 2026. Hood McPherson Building — Lo- cated in downtown Birmingham, Ala- bama, it was built in 1914, and opened as a furniture gallery. It sat empty for years before being purchased by Auburn. It is now undergoing a comprehensive reno- vation, including repairing and renovat- ing the building envelope and interior. Once complete, the building will include a communal lobby; shared university professional amenity space; College of Architecture, Design and Construction fabrication space and design studios for its Urban Studio, as well as Harbert Col- lege of Business Executive Instructional and Outreach space. The renovation is scheduled to be completed this fall. For more information on these and other campus construction projects, visit the Capital Projects page on the Facili- ties Management website. UNIVERSITY NEWS BY MARTHA GENTRY NEW AND UNDER- CONSTRUCTION FACILITIES PROVIDE VERSATILE TEACHING AND LEARNING EXPERIENCES IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM A new home for the College of Education is currently under construction at the corner of West Samford Avenue and Duncan Drive. The 167,000-square-foot building will accommodate all the college’s departments under the same roof. The Academic Classroom and Laborato- ry Complex opened a year ago, provid- ing Auburn with a 151,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art teaching space featur- ing 20 hybrid classrooms/laboratories and 11 Engaged and Active Student Learning classrooms/lecture halls. 38 UNIVERSITY NEWS AUBURNTIGERS.COMlegacyofhope.org Have a HEART. When you become an organ donor, you’re helping people in need. Please register today. It’s quick, it’s easy and it could save up to eight lives. Scan the code to register now!Next >