According to sources, Auburn’s head coach Hugh Freeze will assume the role of playcaller on offense for the 2024 season. Freeze, known for his prowess in playcalling, previously handled this responsibility during his tenures at Arkansas State, Ole Miss, and Liberty. However, in his inaugural year as Auburn’s head coach, he appointed Philip Montgomery as the primary playcaller. Despite this decision, Auburn’s offense struggled, ranking 11th in the SEC in scoring with 26.2 points per game and scoring 20 or fewer points in six games.

Following a disappointing season, Freeze announced the dismissal of Montgomery after just one year. Despite Montgomery’s prior experience as Tulsa’s head coach, Auburn’s offensive performance remained subpar, ranking 121st in passing offense with 162.2 yards per game.

In search of a solution for the upcoming season, Freeze explored various options for running the offense. Ultimately, he decided to reclaim the playcalling duties, deeming it the best course of action for the program. While it’s increasingly challenging for head coaches to handle playcalling in today’s college football landscape, Freeze believes it’s the optimal strategy moving forward.

During his hiatus from coaching after his departure from Ole Miss, Freeze discussed the possibility of joining Nick Saban’s staff as Alabama’s offensive coordinator. However, SEC restrictions prevented any conference school from hiring Freeze until Ole Miss completed its NCAA probation. Prior to accepting the Liberty job, Freeze was also a candidate for the offensive coordinator position at Auburn under Gus Malzahn.

Freeze’s track record demonstrates his offensive prowess, with his Ole Miss and Liberty teams consistently ranking among the top 25 nationally in scoring. As Freeze assumes playcalling responsibilities, Kent Austin will transition to quarterbacks coach. Austin, a former Ole Miss quarterback, previously worked with Freeze at Liberty and brings experience from his roles in the CFL and as the head coach at Cornell.