Auburn's Hugh Freeze keeps cancer on periphery as fall camp kicks off

Hugh Freeze hit the ground running as Auburn opens fall camp even as the Tigers' coach takes the field knowing he will likely need surgery for prostate cancer.

Freeze, 55, said he hasn't felt this good physically to start a season in years.

"I don't think anything about the health right now," said Freeze. "Whether that's right, wrong or indifferent. I talk to docs. I had three of them text me yesterday. They're awesome. I've got a great team around me, but I just don't have any ... I mean, I don't feel sick."

Freeze made similar comments in March, when he decided he could postpone any medical procedure until January.

Auburn went 5-7 last season and Freeze said earlier this month at SEC Media Days he's confident his third year will bring a breakthrough. He has 14 losses -- nine against conference teams -- in two seasons.

An avid golfer, Freeze has gotten some attention for the amount of time he's spending around the greens as the Tigers look to close the gap in the SEC. This isn't the first health concern for Freeze. He had a staph infection in his back while coaching at Liberty in 2019, and said he still experiences some pain. Freeze worked through that serious medical issue, coaching from the press box on game day.

Auburn originally disclosed the diagnosis in February and doctors told Freeze the form of cancer he's fighting is "treatable and curable."

"My wife's got me taking all kinds of natural things that -- supposedly -- may cure prostate cancer," Freeze said. "We hope it does. We'll recheck it in January and see where things are. But other than an old back, I feel great. Sometimes it gets a little tight. But I had that deal at Liberty where I had the infection get in, and I'm always going to have some arthritis there. But my energy is good. I feel great and excited about camp."

--Field Level Media