Auburn to Pay Hugh Freeze $65 Million Over Six Years

New Contract Buyout Friendly to Power Five Schools

Football Coach Will Receive $40 Million Through 2030

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Hugh Freeze will receive an average salary of $6.5 million per year over the next six years as Auburn's head football coach, according to a contract released by the school Friday. The deal includes a buyout option that would allow Freeze to leave for another Power Five school without penalty after the 2022 season.

Freeze was previously at Liberty University, where he had a contract that paid him an average of $4 million per year through the 2028 season. Auburn's offer is a significant pay raise for Freeze, who led Liberty to a 10-1 record in 2022.

The Auburn contract is for six years and worth $65 million. Freeze will make a base salary of $11.25 million per year. The contract also includes performance bonuses that could increase Freeze's annual salary to $15 million.