Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, as announced by the university on Friday. Fortunately, due to early detection, medical professionals believe that Freeze’s cancer is “very treatable and curable.” The 55-year-old coach is expected to continue his football coaching responsibilities while undergoing treatment. The Tigers are set to begin their spring practice in late March.
In a statement, the university said, “Recently, Coach Freeze was diagnosed with an early form of prostate cancer. Thankfully, it was detected early, and his doctors have advised that it is very treatable and curable. He will continue his normal coaching duties and responsibilities, and with forthcoming proper treatment, is expected to make a full recovery.”
Auburn officials also expressed Freeze’s hope that his health journey will encourage others to prioritize annual health screenings. “Coach Freeze is incredibly appreciative of our medical professionals and has asked that we use his experience as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing and scheduling annual health screenings,” the statement added.
In the 2023 season, Auburn finished with a 6-6 regular-season record under Freeze, followed by a loss in the Music City Bowl. The team did not show significant improvement in Freeze’s second season, ending with a 5-7 record. However, Auburn has strengthened its roster through the transfer portal this offseason, which may enhance their competitiveness in the Southeastern Conference by 2025.
Freeze has a history of coaching through health challenges; in 2019, he dealt with a herniated disk and a staph infection, continuing to lead the Liberty Flames from a hospital bed temporarily relocated to the stadium’s coaches’ box during a game.