The mention of lingering back issues stems from a serious health incident during Freeze's tenure at Liberty, when a life-threatening staph infection in 2019 left him hospitalized and temporarily unable to walk. He famously coached that season opener from a hospital bed stationed in the press box, communicating with his staff via headset.

Freeze added that he doesn’t feel sick, but will reevaluate the situation with doctors in January, a plan Freeze first announced after opting out of having surgery in the spring. In the meantime, he said his wife, Jill, has had him take a “natural” route to manage the cancer.

Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze gives an injury update on the players available for fall camp and who might be limited.