Every time a new coach takes over a program that is considered a rebuild, he or she eventually must have a “signature” win that marks a turning point and truly inspires hope for the future.

Ideally, that victory materializes during the first year of that coach’s tenure, but not always. Sometimes, that elusive win never comes and the aforementioned coach is soon looking for employment elsewhere. Hugh Freeze had been on the Auburn sideline for 23 games before this past weekend and the most impressive thing on the ledger was a blowout win over a very mediocre Arkansas team (sorry Jake) in 2023.

Andy Graham is a regular columnist for The Outlook.