The dismissal of Auburn’s former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Philip Montgomery, in January raised concerns about the team’s play-calling strategy for 2024.
Following Montgomery’s departure, head coach Hugh Freeze appointed former Ole Miss assistant Derrick Nix as Auburn’s offensive coordinator and running backs coach, and promoted Kent Austin to quarterbacks coach.
Regarding play-calling responsibilities, Freeze explained that it will vary by game. “I don’t know the percentage of play-calling between Nix, Kent, and I. Every game will probably be different with that,” Freeze told reporters ahead of SEC Media Days.
Nix will handle play-calling on early downs, based on pre-determined game plans. “Until we say we’ve got to scrap the game plan, these are the things that we want to see. So, he’s got free reign there,” Freeze said.
In third-and-long situations, Austin will take over. “He’s always done that for me and he’s really good as that… as good as you can be on third-and-long in this league,” Freeze said.
In critical moments, Freeze will have the authority to step in. This approach was similar in 2023, but Freeze anticipates a smoother process in 2024 due to familiar terminology. “Now that it’s back to our terminology that I’m very comfortable with, once we have a successful play or it’s not third-and-long, I’m going to have the freedom and flexibility to jump in, certainly with our landmarks (on the field),” Freeze explained.
Freeze emphasized the comfort level with having Nix and Austin, who both have prior experience with him, back on his coaching staff. “It’s just a comfort level to have D-Nix and Kent (Austin) in that room knowing that the verbiage and terminology and everything will be things that I understand clearly and can add value to when I need to,” Freeze said back in January.
With Nix and Austin having worked with Freeze at Ole Miss and Liberty, respectively, Freeze is surrounded by familiar faces in offensive meetings. Although his “it depends” answer regarding play-calling raises more questions, Freeze is confident in his staff’s cohesion and the return to a familiar offensive system. “The one thing I do know is that every single person in that offensive room has been with me before and the entire verbiage is back to where I’m very comfortable,” Freeze stated.
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