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Auburns 10-3 loss to Kentucky Saturday marked Hugh Freeze's final game at the helm of the Tigers football program.
“Coach Freese is a man of integrity, and we are grateful for his investment in Auburn and his tireless work over the past three years to strengthen our roster,” Auburn athletic director John Cohen said in a statement Sunday.
Madi Freese, daughter of ex Auburn coachsaid she worried about her father's well-being in the months leading up to his dismissal.
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Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze on the field before the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald Reynolds Razorback Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
In a social media video, Madi said her father's health deteriorated several months after he was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer. Freeze's diagnosis was published in February.
Thanks to early detection, doctors believe Freese's cancer is “highly treatable and curable,” according to a statement from the school. The 56-year-old footballer was then given the go-ahead to continue coaching duties during his treatment.
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“In a weird way, this was a relief for me personally because I had watched my dad’s health deteriorate because of this,” she said in a video posted to TikTok. “Other people see it, I know you all see it, he’s not healthy.”
Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze talks with an official during the third quarter of a game against the South Alabama Jaguars at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025. (John Reed/Imagn Images)
She added that Freeze will have to undergo procedures.
“I am grateful that my father will finally have the necessary surgeries, they are scheduled, and he will recover.”
Mady attends Auburn. While she expressed admiration for the school, she also suggested that her father was not fully appreciated during his coaching tenure.
“We loved Auburn, and as soon as we came here, everyone was very adamant that if you love Auburn, it will love you back,” she said. “Unfortunately, this was not the case in our case… We wish them no harm, but we hope that they will turn to the Lord and find Jesus.”
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze walks off the field after a loss to Kentucky on Nov. 1, 2025, in Auburn, Alabama. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Freese left Liberty after the 2022 season to join Auburn. He coached the Tigers to a 6–7 record in his first season. Auburn won five games under Freeze in 2024.
Auburn fell to 4–5 on the year after a Week 10 loss to the Wildcats.
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Freese finished his two-plus seasons at Auburn with a 15-19 record.
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