The question to Hugh Freeze was short and simple.

“Are you tired of having to defend playing golf?”

It’s one of the topics that doesn’t seem to want to go away. Lane Kiffin might have something to do with that. The Ole Miss coach trolled Freeze about playing golf in a time where Auburn was losing commitments only to suggest that wasn’t the case Monday.

On Tuesday, during the second day of SEC Media Days, Freeze was asked directly about the ongoing topic.

“I really haven’t had to defend it,” Freeze told the gathered media. “I just — you know, it’s something I enjoy doing, but I assure you it does not take away from my time working to take Auburn back to the top of the college football world.”

Because of the perceived trolling, Freeze was asked about his relationship with Kiffin. A day earlier, the Ole Miss coach talked about how he liked Freeze.

“I’m not on social media, but I love Lane,” Freeze said. “He makes me laugh. He’s a good football coach for sure.

“Loved his family a long time; Chris, his brother, was with me at the beginning of my journey. I owe a lot to him and his wife Angela. Monte would always come and help when he could.

“I think Lane’s done a great job. I couldn’t get away with doing all the social media, so I admire him. Go have fun with it.”

Freeze does have a social media account. However, last year, he told reporters he no longer runs his social media. His daughter does.

Back in 2022, Freeze refuted a report he had to relinquish control of social media accounts, despite a report that said otherwise. He added how could you in today’s college football, but “there’s maybe some wisdom in that.”

An SI report at the time, citing multiple sources, said the background check on Freeze was extensive when Auburn hired the coach.

One SI source at the time said, “If he’s contractually obligated to stay off social media and they had to hire an ‘Oh S—’ firm before he even started, is hiring him really a good idea?”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.