This is an opinion column.

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Something unexpected happened after Nick Saban retired. Alabama hired a coach known for inspiring loyalty and Auburn’s Hugh Freeze transformed into the SEC’s new unapologetic tyrant.

Can’t believe I’m saying this, but I kinda like it.

It took a while, but Freeze is finally demonstrating at Auburn that he has what it takes to survive in the SEC. It’s not about taking care of the Auburn family. It’s about winning at all costs.

What’s been going on at Auburn during the transition of power over in Alabama? While the Sabans were planning life after football in sunny South Florida, Auburn’s coach was plotting and scheming. First Freeze waved so long to Auburn legacies Cadillac Williams and Zac Ethridge. As an encore, Freeze then hired controversial assistant coach D.J. Durkin.

It was a page right out of the Saban playbook.

With a series of bold staff changes, Freeze is putting together a team he thinks gives Auburn the best chance to compete for a national championship. Fans may not like the staff turnover, but none of that will matter if Freeze can position Auburn on even ground with Alabama and Georgia at the beginning of this new era in the Southeastern Conference.

This is a time of change in college football, and Freeze is making the most of the chaos. With Saban out, Auburn now has one of the best coaching staffs in country.

Based on everything we’ve seen, you have to wonder if Freeze knew the end was coming for Saban’s time at Alabama. Auburn’s coach had a plan in place for when it happened. Did Freeze have inside knowledge, or did he just anticipate Saban walking away? Either way, no other team in the SEC benefits more from Saban’s exit and Freeze was ready to make his moves.

I hate to see Williams and Etheridge go. Freeze thinks it was for the best. We’ll see. As much as I love Williams and what he did for Auburn, I have to be completely honest about my opinion of what’s taking place on the Plains. Freeze is sending a powerful message. He’s going to do whatever it takes for Auburn to consistently compete against its two behemoth rivals.

Strong leaders make difficult decisions. We’ve seen it before.

When Saban was hired at Alabama, he wasted no time cleaning house. The good-ol’ boy network was out. Feelings were hurt. Some big names were pushed aside. Saban was ruthless but every tough decision he made was for one reason, out-recruiting the competition in the SEC.

It’s hard to believe, but here we are. Suddenly, in the span of a month, Auburn is more Saban than Alabama. How that affects the dynamic of the Iron Bowl is anyone’s guess, but there’s no question the rivalry is already transitioning into a post-Saban reality.

Saban was a players’ coach, but he was hard on his assistant coaches. Some adapted to the rigorous demands and some flamed out but none hung around for long. Kirby Smart was the exception and now we know why. He was the second coming.

Alabama’s football facility was always a revolving door of Saban recruiters. It looks like Freeze decided to manage Auburn’s staff just like his old friend.

This is Auburn’s time, and no one can blame Freeze for doing what he thinks is best for the Tigers.

Freeze couldn’t replace Williams immediately, of course. Think back to 2022. Williams saved Auburn football and was the toast of the Tigers. Many, including me, thought he could have made a good head coach. Freeze, on the other hand, was a questionable hire with a checkered past. Williams helped with the transition, but it’s impossible to be a successful boss and then take a backseat.

Cadillac will always have those magical four games at the end of the 2022 season. Auburn is better for them and the history of the Iron Bowl is richer in spirit thanks to Williams. No one can ever take that away from him.

What’s next for this Iron Bowl rivalry?

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer isn’t anything like his predecessor. That’s not a bad thing. No one expects him to lead like Saban and, frankly, if DeBoer even tried then that would be a death sentence for his time in Tuscaloosa. Here’s what we know about DeBoer. He’s an offensive-minded coach who inspires loyalty in his assistant coaches. That’s pretty much the opposite of Saban in every way.

Saban inspired fear. Freeze was paying attention.

Never forget that Auburn sent out a late-night news release about the resignation of Cadillac Williams. It hit my inbox at 9:34 p.m. It was the day after Saban retired. Perfect timing, in other words, for as little scrutiny as possible.

Sneaky stuff.

Just Auburn being Auburn? Not quite. This was something different. It was Freeze announcing his new image as the Iron Bowl’s uncompromising dictator.

SOUND OFF

Got a question about Auburn, Alabama or SEC football? Want to get something off your chest? Send Joe a question about what’s on your mind for his Friday mailbag. Ask him anything.

Joseph Goodman is the lead sports columnist for the Alabama Media Group, and author of the signature book about Nick Saban’s reign at Alabama, “We Want Bama”.