Is it the shoes?

It was a day where Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said he wants to be more like Scottie Pippen than Micheal Jordan when it comes to coaching his players.

The Tigers‘ third year coach stepped out of his comfort zone during Tuesday’s SEC media day session, rocking Nike air maxes in support of Auburn’s new brand deal with Nike.

“We’re thankful to be partnering with Nike. Mr. Knight and his wife Penny have known them for years,” Freeze said during his SEC media day conference. “I’ve never worn sneakers with a suit before, but I felt like it was appropriate to celebrate our turnover and partnership with them that began July 1.”

Just like how legendary film maker Spike Lee assumed Jordan’s shoes gave him his basketball abilities. Freeze’s Nike’s and suit collab might have cooled down his hot seat just a little bit.

Freeze survived the gauntlet of questions in every scrum of media he stood before. He spoke with a passion and confidence that sparked a wave of hope in what’s being built on the plains.

“I embrace the expectation of Auburn. You should have them ever year,” Freeze said. “I think every year you should have them. But the exciting now is I really like this locker room. I like the kids; I enjoy coaching them and we are primed to start winning every game.

“It’s time to start being in every game and finding a way to win them. We have to do the little things better we did not do last year.”

Five of the Auburn’s seven losses last year came by 10 or fewer points. The Tigers scored just eight red zone touchdowns in eight conference games, while leading the SEC with 22 turnovers.

With aspirations to lead the Tigers to the College Football Playoff, Auburn’s season opening game against Baylor will be the country’s first glimpse of the new look Tigers.

“There is zero hiding from the fact that that first game is a big game, and we must embrace that too,” Freeze said.

“That should help elevate our focus all throughout our fall camp because we’re playing a very good football team that has a very good football coach in Dave Aranda.”

Auburn will begin fall camp on July 29, exactly one month before Auburn travels to Waco to face Baylor.

So, whether it was the media day atmosphere or the Nike’s on his feet. Freeze made promises Tuesday that he’ll have to back up come this fall.

With an 11-14 overall record at Auburn, this is the season to silence the critics.

If not, it could be his last dance.

Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports forAL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3or email him at [email protected].