Hugh Freeze on Changing Coordinators: ‘It Was Absolutely Necessary’

Before Hugh Freeze took over as the head coach of the Auburn Tigers, the program already had a long streak of replacing its coordinators yearly.

Freeze kept that tradition alive after his first season on the Plains but explained that it was a necessary change. He depends on his coordinators to help him bring energy to the team.

"It was absolutely necessary for me to do that for my sanity, for my help, I have to have some help with that," Freeze said. "DJ (Durkin) and Charles (Kelly) and (Derrick) Nix really have helped me with that. I think it's become contagious. I think the kids see it, it breeds over some confidence to them. I couldn’t be more pleased with the chemistry of the staff right now."

It was not surprising when Phillip Montgomery stepped away from the program after serving as its offensive coordinator last season. The Tigers struggled on that side of the ball and performed best when Freeze took over the play-calling.

The departure of Ron Roberts was not equally expected as Auburn had success on defense last season and that is ultimately what helped it compete.

Writing began to appear on the wall that Roberts could be on the way out, however, when it was announced that Auburn hired Kelly hours before it took on the Maryland Terrapins in the Music City Bowl.

Freeze has stressed the importance of chemistry among the staff and now has a set of coordinators he is more comfortable with.

Nix, Auburn's new offensive coordinator, spent time working with Freeze at Ole Miss.

Durkin and Kelly, who will serve as co-defensive coordinators, are both veteran coaches who bring years of on-field and recruiting experience with them.

Freeze knew what his staff needed after a shaky start to his Auburn tenure and did what was needed to set things straight.