One name being considered to replace Freeze as the full-time head coach is Jon Sumrall, the head coach of the Tulane Green Wave. Sumrall has an impressive coaching record, with an 18-7 record during his two seasons at Tulane and a 23-4 record from his two years with the Troy Trojans.

Those seven Auburn players combined for an Iron Bowl-record 11 sacks of Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle on Nov. 19, 2005 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Tommy Tuberville’s Tigers won 28-18 in the fourth of what would eventually be six consecutive victories over their archrivals from Tuscaloosa.

Headlined by players such as Cam Coleman and Xavier Atkins, Auburn is among the most talented teams on Alabama's 2025 schedule.

“As an Alabama native, along with experience as a player and coach in the SEC footprint, Sumrall is a perfect fit at Auburn,” Lassan wrote. “But if Lane Kiffin leaves Ole Miss, expect Sumrall to be candidate No. 1 in Oxford. If Sumrall isn’t the pick to replace Hugh Freeze, Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz is a name to watch.”

What could Cohen's previous coaching hires say about who he might choose to be Auburn's next head football coach?

Last week, it appeared Auburn was expected to name Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall as head coach. That might change.

A former Auburn Tigers All-SEC team member is making his push for Canton. Offensive tackle Willie Anderson was named among the 26 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2026 Class. This is the sixth time that he has been named a finalist.

From offensive scheme changes to quarterback controversies, the Tigers' "what if" season ended with a heartbreaking Iron Bowl loss despite Bo Jackson's Heisman campaign.