John Cohen and the Auburn Crossroads: The Pressure, the Politics, and the Future of SEC Leadership

11/03/2025

Introduction

In an era where college athletics is undergoing seismic shifts — from the transfer portal to Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) deals, to Power 5 coaching buy-outs and expanded playoffs — the role of the athletic director has never been under greater scrutiny. The dismissal of athletic directors alongside head coaches is no longer uncommon. That brings us to John Cohen, the athletic director at Auburn University, who carries the weight of expectations in the fiercely competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC).

In this blog we'll:

  1. Set the wider context of Athletic Director accountability (see the recent - and high-profile - departure of Scott Woodward at Louisiana State University).

  2. Review Cohen's background and his record so far (at Mississippi State and Auburn).

  3. Explore the challenges and opportunities he faces at Auburn — and ask: is he on solid ground, or does the hot-seat lie ahead?

I. The AD Accountability Moment

When LSU parted ways with Athletic Director Scott Woodward, it underscored how much power — and scrutiny — ADs now command. Woodward, who had negotiated the mega-contract of Brian Kelly at LSU and previously overseen the hiring of Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M University, found himself constrained by political dynamics — including interference by the state governor in the next-coach decision. That sort of external pressure has amplified the spotlight on Athletic Directors.

The 2025 college football season has already seen a record-level churn of head coaches and related AD firings — and ADs are no longer background figures. They are architects of strategy, finance, personnel (coaches), facilities, NIL. When a program falters, the AD may bear responsibility.

Which brings us to Auburn and John Cohen.

II. John Cohen: Background & Record

Background & résumé
John Cohen's resume is rich and multi-faceted:

  • He played baseball at Mississippi State University, graduating in 1990 with a degree in English and later earning a master's in sports management from Missouri.

  • He moved into coaching: assistant roles at Missouri (1992-97), then head coaching at Northwestern State (1998-2001), Kentucky (2004-08), and returning to Mississippi State as head baseball coach in 2009.

  • His athletic-director career began in earnest on November 4, 2016 when he became the AD at Mississippi State.

  • On October 31, 2022, Auburn announced Cohen as its 16th Director of Athletics. 

Record & highlights
At Mississippi State:

  • Under his leadership, MSU captured a team national title in baseball in 2021 (their first in any sport) and several programs posted program-best seasons. 

  • The betting you mentioned (45-39 record, 4-3 in bowls) may not be fully verified in publicly available summary stats for football during his AD tenure, but it reflects the moderate performance of the football program under his oversight.

At Auburn (since late 2022):

  • Cohen has emphasized elevating facilities, fundraising, premium seating, and broad-based athletic success (not just football). 

  • His first major football decision: the hiring of Hugh Freeze (from Liberty) to lead Auburn's football program. 

  • However, Auburn's football results under Freeze (and thus under Cohen's football purview) have been disappointing: multiple losing seasons, mounting pressure. The December 2023 Music City Bowl (6-7 record) and 2024's under-performance preceded a worse 2025 slide.

Key leadership moments

  • At his introductory press conference at Auburn, Cohen said: "I want all the information … the decisions will be my own when it comes to hiring within the athletic department." 

  • After Freeze's firing (Nov 2025), Cohen made it very clear: "I will be the committee… I will take information … but I am the committee." 

III. The Road Ahead: Challenges & Opportunities for Cohen at Auburn

The tasks ahead

  1. Hire the right football coach. Auburn fired Hugh Freeze and now Cohen faces the coaching search to restore competitiveness in the SEC and make the national stage. The football program matters as both revenue driver and public identity.

  2. Compete in the business of college athletics. With NIL equity, transfer portals, expanded playoffs (the 12-team model looming), the AD role is now strategic, fiscal, and heavily scrutinized.

  3. Balance tradition and innovation. Auburn is a storied institution with fan expectations; Cohen must blend historical respect with modern demands (digital engagement, donor growth, facilities investment).

  4. Demonstrate measurable football success. The tenure of an AD is increasingly tied to football wins — especially in the SEC. Cohen's broader successes in other sports are laudable but may not shield him if football continues to lag.

Is he on the hot seat?
Yes — implicitly, and increasingly explicitly. The larger context of AD firings shows that ADs are now vulnerable when flagship sports fail. Cohen's decisions (e.g., the Freeze hire) will be judged heavily. Auburn's fans deserve more. Cohen himself said: "Close doesn't matter. Getting it done matters." 

What gives him hope?

  • His deep experience in the SEC, with coaching, administration, fundraising and facilities.

  • His early non-football successes at Auburn (new facilities, major donor gifts, equipment upgrades, partner deals) show competence in the business side. 

  • His willingness to own the decision-making process and articulate accountability could serve him well.

What still needs to happen?

  • A football turnaround: wins in the SEC, bowl appearances, playoff relevance.

  • A well-executed coach hire: one that can recruit, adapt to NIL/portal dynamics, and restore Auburn's presence among the SEC elite.

  • Transparent metrics and communication: showing boosters, alumni, students, and the public that the athletic department is moving forward.

IV. Conclusion

John Cohen arrived at Auburn with a strong track-record in baseball, coaching and administration. His early work in facilities, fundraising and multi-sport development has been promising. But in the SEC, where football is king, the primary metric of success for an AD is often the football program's trajectory. With Auburn's football program underperforming, Cohen's next moves — particularly the next head-coach hire — will define his tenure and his standing.

In a world where the business of college athletics demands both competitive success and financial-operational competence, the question for Cohen is simple: can he deliver the football turnaround, while maintaining the expanded ambitions of Auburn athletics in the NIL/portal era? If he does, he will not just survive the heat — he will set a new standard. If he doesn't, he may find himself squarely in the accountability spotlight that so many ADs now face.

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