New Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze hasn't even hit the road yet in recruiting, and he's already landed maybe the biggest catch of this cycle.
Carnell "Cadillac" Williams.
In fact, it was Freeze's first order of business when he accepted the job at Auburn. Shortly after the announcement was made Monday night, he met with Williams and convinced him to stay on as the associate head coach and running backs coach.
"I don't know if I had to plead and beg, but I was planning to and went after it," Freeze said. "And I think the words were just, 'You're invaluable. I need your wisdom. I need you to tell me about the players. I need you to tell me about the building. I need you to tell me who is really vital to us getting this program back to SEC championships.'"
Williams took over as the interim head coach for Auburn on Oct. 31. As a player, he was one of the best running backs in program history. He still holds the record for most career rushing touchdowns (45). But what Williams accomplished in the final month of the season, bringing life back to the team and to the fan base, it might have been his greatest feat.
The Tigers were 3-5 at the time and could have easily given up on the season. Williams wouldn't let them. They rallied in the second half and nearly beat Mississippi State on the road. They knocked off Texas A&M and Western Kentucky at home, sending the seniors out with wins in their final two games at Jordan-Hare Stadium. And he re-energized a fan base and gave the Auburn Family something to be proud of again.
It made an impact on Freeze, too, who alluded to the job Williams had done at the beginning of his opening remarks in Tuesday's introductory press conference.
"Being in this profession, I know how hard it is to finish seasons even when you're doing well," Freeze said. "Much less finishing a season playing with enthusiasm and passion and desire and excitement and having fun like what I witnessed when I turned on the Auburn football games. To me, it was a direct reflection of Cadillac and his leadership and how he led the staff and those young men. I thought it was a brilliant job.
"I knew my first priority (as head coach) was I have to have Cadillac along my side to help me drive the culture of Auburn football."
It might not have been a tough sell with Williams, an Auburn man, who penned a letter Tuesday morning to the fans, administrators, coaches, players and his family thanking them for the support and the opportunity to lead the Auburn program.
Now it's Williams' turn to support Freeze and work with him to bring Auburn back.
"It has always been my desire to remain at Auburn," Williams said in the letter. "Last night, I was able to meet with Coach Freeze where he shared his core values and vision for the football program and young men he will be coaching. He is a man of faith, and we share many of the same values when it comes to coaching. I am excited about his vision and plan for getting Auburn back to its winning ways, including winning championships."
