Hugh Freeze, the head football coach of the Auburn Tigers, is married to his supportive wife, Jill Freeze.
Hugh Freeze was born on September 27, 1969, in Oxford, Mississippi, and grew up on a dairy farm in Independence, Mississippi.
He began his coaching career in 1992 at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis, Tennessee, as an offensive coordinator and defensive backs coach before becoming the head coach in 1995.
His tenure at Briarcrest was highly successful, with state championships in 2002 and 2004 and a 94-30 overall record.
In 2008, Freeze moved to college football as the head coach at Lambuth University, where he achieved a 20-5 record over two seasons, including an undefeated regular season in 2009.
He then joined Arkansas State in 2010 as an offensive coordinator and was promoted to head coach in 2011, leading the team to a 10-2 record and a Sun Belt Conference title.
Freeze became the head coach at Ole Miss in 2012, where he quickly gained national attention for improving the program.
Under his leadership, Ole Miss had two nine-win seasons and back-to-back victories over Alabama, culminating in a 2016 Sugar Bowl win.
However, NCAA violations marred his tenure, prompting the NCAA to vacate wins and forcing him to resign in 2017.
After a brief hiatus, Freeze became the head coach at Liberty University in 2019.
At Liberty, he revitalized the program, leading the team to four consecutive bowl games and earning national recognition.
In November 2022, the Auburn Tigers hired Freeze as their head coach, signing him to a six-year contract and bringing him back to the SEC.
Hugh Freeze and His Wife, Jill Freeze, Are Proud Parents of Three Daughters
Hugh Freeze and his wife, Jill Freeze, met during their time at the University of Southern Mississippi and married in 1992 at a Baptist church in Independence, Mississippi.
Their bond grew stronger as they began their journey as a couple with a honeymoon in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Hugh frequently posts photos on their social media, celebrating memorable events such as their anniversary.
In September 2024, Hugh and Jill spoke at the “Fall-Star” Supper hosted by the Women’s Philanthropy Board at Auburn University.
Hugh emphasized the importance of integrity, stating:
Integrity is not always getting it right; it is when you don’t get it right, you own it, you accept the consequences, you make the necessary changes, and you play the next play.
Via Auburn
He also praised Jill for her unwavering support and adaptability through the many moves and challenges of being the wife of a Division-1 football coach, describing her as a ‘rockstar.’
Jill, in turn, referred to Hugh as the rock of their family, highlighting their mutual respect and partnership.
Hailing from Mississippi, Jill earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education, along with a Master’s degree in Secondary Education.
Her passion for education led her to teach high school students for ten years.
Now, Jill focuses on supporting other coaches’ wives and dedicating herself to philanthropic efforts.
Together with Hugh, she co-founded The Freeze Foundation in 2014.
The foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of orphans and underprivileged children around the world.
The Freezes are proud parents to three daughters: Ragan, Jordan, and Madison.
Ragan, their eldest daughter, married Ryan Reynolds (not the actor), and they welcomed their daughter, Hudson Blair Reynolds, in July 2023, making the Freezes grandparents.
Jordan, their middle daughter, married Mark McManus in January 2022.
Their youngest, Madison, is currently attending Auburn University after graduating from Oxford High School.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Born on September 27, 1969, Hugh Freeze hails from Oxford, Mississippi.
- In 1992, he graduated from Southern Miss with a mathematics degree and a minor in coaching and sports administration.
