While the SEC is arguably the most competitive conference in college football, that also means that coaches who aren’t delivering can be put on the hot seat at any given point.
Two coaches that could be on the hot seat this year are Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze and Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier.
Could Hugh Freeze Lose His Job This Season?
While Napier could be gone fairly quickly from his job at Florida if he does not win this year, there are some who believe Freeze has a chance to end this season in a worse position.
College football analyst Josh Pate thinks so as he shared his opinion on “The Next Round.”
“Going into this season, who is on the hotter seat? Billy Napier or Hugh Freeze?” @TheLanceTaylor
“I don’t think Freeze, from my perspective, enters the year there. I think he has the capability to finish the year in worse position than Napier…” @JoshPateCFB pic.twitter.com/vlUNwv1yoA
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) February 19, 2025
Pate might have a very compelling point here.
While Napier is just 19-19 in his career as the head coach at Florida, he did turn the season around last year en route to guiding the team to its second bowl appearance in three years. If he can win more this year, his job could be safe for the time being.
On the other hand, Freeze could be in more trouble than he realizes.
Freeze Must Win Now
Auburn has not been a real national title threat since they made the national title game over a decade ago. Since that appearance against Florida State during the 2013 season, Auburn has won 10 or more games in a season just one time.
Freeze has guided the Tigers to back-to-back losing seasons in his first two seasons, which is not good enough at a historic place like Auburn. It is time for Freeze to make Auburn a true contender again.
In the SEC, winning is everything to so many schools looking to put themselves on top of the pedestal. Failure to do so will result in the loss of a job.
KEEP READING: Auburn Tigers Recruiting: Brilliant 2026 Class Is Exactly What Hugh Freeze Needs
That job could be either Napier’s or Freeze’s to lose if they fail to meet expectations once their teams touch grass next season.
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