Freeze asks Auburn fans for ‘chance to earn your trust’

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Hugh Freeze's checkered past in the Southeastern Conference means he'll have to win more than just games. He'll also have to win over Auburn fans.

Freeze's return to the league more than five years after his scandal-plagued exit was greeted by considerable backlash on social media from wary fans. The former Mississippi and Liberty coach had to talk about his past during Tuesday's introductory news conference as much as his belief that Auburn can make a quick turnaround, urging fans to "please give me a chance to earn your trust."

"Give me some time. Get to know us. Get to know our family. Get to know the truth of our story," Freeze said. "And I think the ones who have done that have said, 'Man, you know what, I kinda like this guy and this family.'

"But that's all you can ask is, man, give us a chance to earn your trust and I think you'll like the end result."

His message clearly resonated with athletic director John Cohen. Now he has to win over fans tired of embarrassments, including the failed 21-game tenure of former coach Bryan Harsin.

Auburn gave Freeze a six-year contract worth at least $6.5 million annually, making him the eighth-highest paid coach in the SEC. The buyout, if Freeze is fired without cause, would be 75% of his remaining contract.

Freeze resigned from Ole Miss in the summer of 2017 after school officials uncovered a "pattern of personal misconduct" starting with a call to a number used by an escort service from a university-issued cellphone. The program ultimately landed on NCAA probation for 21 violations of academic, booster and recruiting misconduct mostly under Freeze's watch.

Still Cohen, who was at Mississippi State at the time, said Freeze was his top choice from the outset.

"Coach Freeze was completely transparent about his past transgressions," Cohen said. "He showed remorse, and he's had an accountability plan that he's used for the last five-plus years.

"Everything he disclosed to us turned out to be accurate, after speaking with credible industry sources. In this way, Coach Freeze was honest and truthful."