Payton Thorne will forever be blamed for Hugh Freeze's first two seasons as the Auburn football program's head coach. Especially if the Tigers turn it around in 2025, though possibly as a cope for Freeze's failures even if they continue beyond Thorne's Plains departure.
Former Florida Gator Chris Doering evoked Thorne's name to explain why Auburn underperformed in 2023 and 2024.
“I think Coach Freeze has been getting unnecessary criticism in the off-season. Everybody's worried about the 2026 signing class. I mean, we're in July right now. It doesn't matter until the 11th or 12th hour when they sign the paper," Doering said during his recent appearance on the "McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning.