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SEC Media Days kicked off on Monday in Atlanta with a number of notable coaches taking to the podium. Lane Kiffin and Brian Kelly were among the first four speakers. Each was asked about rival Hugh Freeze.
Kiffin has a pre-existing feud with the Auburn head coach. Kelly decided to get in on the action.
Let’s rewind a bit. Freeze is entering Year 3 on The Plains having posted an 11-14 overall record with the Tigers. His recruiting for the 2026 class has fallen well below expectation.
Auburn ranks 78th in the nation for the upcoming cycle according to 247 Sports. They have an SEC-worst nine commitments and are currently in the cellar of the conference standings.
With wins proving to be elusive both on and off the field, Hugh Freeze finds himself in the crosshairs of the fanbase.
Hugh Freeze spent more time golfing than recruiting in June.
The coach received backlash for his proclivity to book a tee time during the offseason. It was reported that he was on the links 10 times over the first 20 days of the month.
Typically, that might be overlooked. Given the recruiting failures, though, it became a talking point.
Lane Kiffin took a shot at Freeze after seeing criticism from the fanbase. It continued a lengthy online beef that seems to surface each and every season.
Kiffin was asked about that rivalry at SEC Media Days. He downplayed the hate while filling viewers in on the root of the drama.
“That had nothing to do with his golf game. Which sounds like he’s doing amazing at that. So, that’s great for him.” – Lane Kiffin when asked about his recent tweets directed at Auburn Head Coach Hugh Freeze #SECMD25 @BBHealthAL pic.twitter.com/46W8sQZmSB
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) July 14, 2025
Freeze’s golf game was a topic of interest despite his absence from Day 1 of the media day event, which came days after the coach defended his hobby.
Freeze defended his golf obsession amid criticism.
The Auburn head coach has heard the noise. He responded last week while making an appearance on the See Ball Get Ball podcast with David Pollack.
“This is that time where people are looking for things to write about,” he said. “And I do love golf. I enjoy playing… but what people don’t realize is probably, you know, I assure you that I never missed a camp day or a recruiting day…
“If camp got over at three o’clock one day, and Jill [Freeze] and I go out at 4:30, we absolutely might do that, and I’m not apologizing for that part of it. But my focus is 100-percent on getting Auburn in that win column this fall.”
Freeze wouldn’t apologize for his love of golf. It’s his way of enjoying downtime.
Unfortunately, downtime is something seldom experienced by a college football head coach. His lack of recruiting success has only amplified the narrative surrounding his commitment to the program.
Brian Kelly did little to remove the heat from Hugh Freeze’s seat.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly was asked about how his golf game has been:
“You know what, I had other things to do in the month of June.” pic.twitter.com/3V2U3HK7mF
— Max Cohan (@MaxCohan) July 14, 2025
“I had other things to do in the month of June,” Kelly said when asked if he enjoyed any golf during the offseason. He’s been hot on the recruiting trail.
LSU has nabbed eight new commitments since the start of June. That group is headlined by five-star talents Lamar Brown and Trenton Henderson.
The Tigers boast a Top 10 class. Kelly says it’s due to his dedication to recruiting. Freeze denies that his golf game has had a negative impact. He’ll surely be asked about it when he speaks at SEC Media Days on Tuesday.