Kalen DeBoer and Hugh Freeze Land on ESPN’s “Hot Seat” List for 2025
The college football offseason is in full swing, but the pressure is already mounting for two of the SEC’s most high-profile coaches: Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer and Auburn’s Hugh Freeze. Both coaches, despite being early in their tenures, have found themselves featured on ESPN’s “way-too-early” coaching hot-seat list.
The list, which categorizes coaches by their level of job security, places both DeBoer and Freeze in the “We Want This to Work” tier. This category suggests that while neither coach is in immediate danger of losing their job, the expectations are high, and significant improvement is needed in the coming season.
Kalen DeBoer: Pressure to Uphold Alabama’s Dynasty
Kalen DeBoer took the reins of Alabama’s storied football program following the retirement of legendary coach Nick Saban, who won seven national championships with the Crimson Tide. DeBoer’s debut season, however, failed to meet the lofty expectations associated with the program.
Alabama finished the 2024 season with a 9-4 record, ranked No. 11 in the College Football Playoff rankings. This marked the end of Alabama’s remarkable streak of 16 consecutive seasons with double-digit wins. The Tide’s disappointing 19-13 loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl only added to the frustration, as they fell to an undermanned Wolverines team.
“DeBoer’s first season seemed to confirm fears about whether he could succeed in a different region, especially while replacing a legend,” ESPN wrote.
While Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne remains supportive of DeBoer, the pressure to rebound in 2025 is immense. ESPN speculated that DeBoer’s skill set and coaching style might be a better fit elsewhere, such as at USC, raising questions about his long-term future in Tuscaloosa.
With Alabama’s 2025 schedule featuring matchups against perennial SEC powerhouses and a non-conference clash with Wisconsin, DeBoer will need to deliver a strong season to quell doubts about his ability to sustain the Tide’s dominance.
Hugh Freeze: Auburn’s Long Road Back to Contention
Unlike DeBoer, Hugh Freeze inherited a program already struggling to compete at the highest level. Auburn’s roster and performance had declined significantly in the years prior to his arrival, and Freeze was brought in for his proven ability to rebuild programs in the South.
However, Auburn fans are still waiting for tangible progress. The Tigers finished the 2024 season at 7-5, a modest improvement but far from the breakthrough the program had hoped for. While Freeze has a contract running through the 2028 season, patience is wearing thin among Auburn’s passionate fanbase.
“A manageable 2025 schedule could lead to a breakthrough, which Freeze needs despite a contract that runs through the 2028 season,” ESPN noted.
The 2025 season offers a golden opportunity for Freeze to make a statement. Auburn’s schedule is notably lighter, with winnable games against non-conference opponents and several SEC teams in transition. However, the Tigers will still face formidable foes like Georgia and Alabama, making consistent progress essential for Freeze to maintain support.
A Critical Year Ahead
For both DeBoer and Freeze, 2025 represents a make-or-break season. DeBoer must prove he can maintain Alabama’s status as a national powerhouse, while Freeze needs to demonstrate that Auburn is on the path back to SEC contention.
Though neither coach is in immediate danger of being fired, the stakes are high. Alabama fans are unaccustomed to mediocrity, and Auburn supporters demand results from a coach with deep Southern roots. As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on these two programs to see if their coaches can rise to the challenge or if their seats will grow even hotter.
