Copyright AL.com
When breaking down the decision to move on from former Auburn coach Hugh Freeze, athletics director John Cohen could only think about one thing throughout the entire process: Auburn football’s fans. After cries rang out in Jordan-Hare Stadium with ‘fire Hugh Freeze’ chants during the Tigers 10-3 loss to Kentucky, Cohen knew his next move had to not only benefit the program but all of War Eagle nation. “I grew up in the state of Alabama. I know how special this fanbase is, and again, I wake up every morning saying, ‘We’ve got to get this done’,” Cohen said during Monday’s press conference. “We got to get it done for people who are at the top of that upper deck, the people who are on our streets, the people who are on the field,” Cohen added. “We’ve got to get this done.’ And again, I know fans hear that we’re close, right? I’m not going to say that we’re close. Close doesn’t matter. Getting it done matters.” Freeze’s tenure on the Plains ended with a 15-19 record, which included a 6-16 mark in SEC play and 9-11 record at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn has also lost five straight games to Alabama and nine straight to Georgia, according to AL.com. With Cohen taking full responsibility for the Freeze hire, he’s planning on bringing the ‘best’ candidate for fans to get behind in this hiring search. “We have incredible fans; we have fans who have shown patience; we have fans who have given in every way. They’ve given time, they’ve given financially, they’ve given in every way. Now it’s time for us to give back,” Cohen said. “That’s one of the many reasons we had to make this decision. It’s time for this football program to give back to this fanbase,” Cohen added. “They deserve it. And I’m going to spend every minute of every day I’m awake trying to give our fans exactly what they deserve, which is the best. That’s the direction we’re going to go.” Interim head coach DJ Durkin made promise during his press conference, stating that he’s going to represent them and the community to the best of his abilities for their continuous support of the program. “I just want them to know that we are going to do everything possible to represent them and this great university in a way that they can be proud of. This place is built on hard work, toughness, blue collar mentality,” Durkin said. “And that’s what this team has. That’s what we’re going to display. We’re going to play with relentless effort, play for one another and really have pride in that AU that’s on our chest.” Auburn will travel to Vanderbilt Saturday in its first game of the post-Freeze era. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on the SEC Network.
