College Football Coach Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer at 55

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis among men, outside of skin cancer. In the United States, roughly one in every eight men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis during their lifetime. It's important to get regular checkups, so if the diagnosis does come, it comes early.

A longtime college football head coach has received an early prostate cancer diagnosis on Friday.

The Auburn Tigers announced on Friday afternoon that head coach Hugh Freeze has received an early prostate cancer diagnosis. He's 55 years old.

The SEC football program announced the news on social media on Friday.

“Recently, Coach Freeze was diagnosed with an early form of prostate cancer. Thankfully, it was detected early and his doctors have advised that it is very treatable and curable,” the Auburn statement read on Friday. 

“He will continue his normal coaching duties and responsibilities, and with forthcoming proper treatment, is expected to make a full recovery. Coach Freeze is incredibly appreciative of our medical professionals and has asked that we use his experience as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing and scheduling annual health screenings.”

The Auburn Family is with you, Coach Freeze ???? pic.twitter.com/sYKWT4eJeV

— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) February 28, 2025

Freeze, who previously coached at Auburn and Ole Miss, is entering his third season at Auburn.

Thankfully, doctors were able to diagnose him early, so his cancer is believed to be very treatable and curable.

The 55-year-old SEC head coach has gone 11-14 in two seasons at Auburn. He went 6-7 in 2023 and 5-7 in 2024. The Tigers are looking to make the jump toward bowl contention and SEC contention in 2025.

Freeze is expected to continue his normal head coaching duties while receiving treatment.