There's been some complaining on Auburn boards lately about Hugh Freeze entering his Scott Frost phase, spending most of his time playing golf with his friends. He's out on the course three or four times a week. Freeze's defenders say he's still recovering from cancer treatment and that's why his recruiting has dropped off so much. Also we're in a dead period, so there's nothing for him to do right now.
Up until about a month ago, the line coming out of the Freeze camp had been that this is going to be the year where Freeze's work comes together. Finally the remains of Gus and the Potato Man would be completely wiped away and it would be Freeze's program, a winning program. Starting about a month ago, the tone changed, with lots of messages coming out trying temper expectations for the season. Everything from 'Freeze has been sick' to 'Auburn is the only school following the rules of the House settlement' have been trotted out.
Seems to me that if you're well enough to play in golf tournaments (and win), you're well enough to be in the AV room reviewing tape and building up initial game plans for the season's opponent. The recruiting dead period doesn't mean coaches can't do any other work with the program. My guess is he knows this is likely his last season and is lowering expectations so he can last a bit deeper into the season than if they start with high expectations that get quickly dashed.