Auburn University appointed Hugh Freeze as its head football coach on November 28, 2022, with a six-year contract averaging $6.5 million annually. The contract includes an annual retention bonus of $250,000, starting February 1, 2024, effectively increasing his salary each year.
The contract is structured as follows:
2023: $6.5 million
2024: $6.75 million
2025: $7 million
2026: $7.25 million
2027: $7.5 million
2028: $7.75 million
If Auburn terminates Freeze’s contract without cause, he is entitled to 75% of the remaining value of the contract.
Freeze’s contract is laden with performance-based incentives, potentially adding up to $3.3 million annually. These incentives include:
Conference Victories: $150,000 per SEC win, starting with the fifth conference victory each season.
SEC Championship: $200,000 for an appearance; $400,000 for a victory (non-cumulative).
Bowl Games:
$50,000 for a non-SEC Group of 6 bowl appearance; $150,000 for a win.
$200,000 for a New Year’s Six bowl appearance; $250,000 for a win.
College Football Playoff:
$750,000 for a semifinal appearance.
$1 million for a national championship appearance.
$2 million for winning the national championship.
Coach of the Year Honors: $75,000 for SEC Coach of the Year; an additional $75,000 for national awards.
Academic Performance: Bonuses ranging from $25,000 to $150,000 based on the team’s Academic Progress Rate (APR), with the highest bonus for a perfect APR of 1,000.
These incentives are designed to reward both athletic success and academic achievement, reflecting Auburn’s commitment to excellence in both areas.
Prior to joining Auburn, Freeze served as the head coach at Liberty University, where he signed an eight-year contract worth $40 million, fully guaranteed. His move to Auburn represents a shift to a more competitive conference and a new set of challenges.
Overall, Freeze’s contract with Auburn underscores the university’s investment in its football program, offering substantial financial rewards tied to both performance on the field and the academic success of its student-athletes.