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Hugh Freeze on Chad Kelly: ‘I Believe in Redemptive Quality of Man’
Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze attended the 2015 Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards banquet Wednesday evening in Houston, and while he was there gave an interesting update on the status of junior college transfer quarterback Chad Kelly.
Photo by Chuck Barnes
Freeze was a finalist for the Bryant Award which is given to the college football coach of the year, as voted on by the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association, and presented by the American Heart Association and Marathon Oil Corporation.
TCU head coach Gary Patterson won this year’s award. At the event, the assembled media had the opportunity to ask the finalists a few questions. Joel Jackson, managing editor of HoustonSportsZone.com, told The Rebel Walk he asked Coach Freeze about the status of Chad Kelly.
Kelly, who began his career at Clemson and later transferred to East Mississippi Community College in 2014, got into some trouble last month following a fight outside of a Buffalo nightclub, and some wondered if the talented quarterback would still be accepted by the Rebels. However, all charges–with the exception of a non-criminal violation–were dropped at a Jan. 5 hearing, and Kelly arrived at Ole Miss this past Sunday.
Rebels have been curious as to Kelly’s status with Coach Freeze, and they may now have a much better idea of where things stand. Jackson told The Rebel Walk that Freeze explained why he is willing to offer the young man another chance:
“Chad…I had a meeting with him this morning before I left. I feel good about where things are. School starts next Wednesday, I believe. If he continues on the journey he’s on, we’re gonna give it a go together. We’re gonna handcuff ourselves together. I believe in the redemptive quality of man, to give a guy a chance.”
School starts January 21 for Ole Miss, and it now appears Kelly is much closer to having the opportunity to compete this spring with returning quarterbacks Ryan Buchanan and DeVante Kincade for the starting quarterback job.
Coach Freeze believes he and the Ole Miss program can help lead Kelly in the right direction:
“He’s obviously made mistakes. He hasn’t made them with us yet. We all think we can be a difference. If I don’t, then I tried and I’ll take some criticism. But you know, I try not to listen to criticism or praise. I’m just really about the redemptive quality of man and giving a kid a chance.”
However, Coach Freeze also explained Kelly still has conditions he must meet in order to join the program:
“Now he has to complete everything that I’ve laid out for him before the green light is given. Everything to this point points in the direction that he’s on track to do that.”
It certainly appears Chad Kelly has found a coach and a program who believe they can help him put the past behind him and become a better young man. After seeing the positive effects Coach Freeze has had on so many of his players, it is safe to say there may be no better place for Kelly than Oxford.
Evelyn is the managing editor of The Rebel Walk magazine and website.
| Sat, Aug 31 |  | vs Furman | W, 76-0 |
| Sat, Sep 7 |  | vs Middle Tennessee | W, 52-3 |
| Sat, Sep 14 |  | @ Wake Forest | W, 40-6 |
| Sat, Sep 21 |  | vs Georgia Southern | W, 52-13 |
| Sat, Sep 28 |  | vs Kentucky | L, 20-17 |
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| Sat, Oct 12 |  | vs LSU | L, 29-26 (2 OT) |
| Sat, Oct 26 |  | vs Oklahoma | W, 26-14 |
| Sat, Nov 2 |  | @ Arkansas | W, 63-35 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Georgia | 2:30 PM ABC |
| Sat, Nov 23 |  | @ Florida | 11:00 AM ABC or ESPN |
| Sat, Nov 30 |  | vs Mississippi State | 2:30 PM ESPN or ABC |
pinky Potter
January 16, 2015 at 3:52 pm
We trust Coach Freeze’s judgement and hope Kelly will make it in the Hotty Toddy world!! He has a few guys to beat first!!
Doug Ingram
January 17, 2015 at 12:04 am
I believe Chad Kelly and Ole Miss will have a great year.
Jeff
January 17, 2015 at 8:00 am
Difference in morals. Some coaches have them (Dabo) and some do not (Freeze). When at all cost will hurt in the end. I am gonna laugh when he becomes a black eye on the program. Oh wait, this is where Nkemdiche gets paid and race riots are rampart. Yea, spraying clubs with an AK is probably not that big of a deal. To the rest of the country, Ole Miss is a joke.
Stan
January 17, 2015 at 8:19 am
After seeing the positive effects Coach Freeze has had on so many of his players, it is safe to say there may be no better place for Kelly than Oxford.
I would add that there is no better opportunity for young Mr. Kelly to learn how to safely steer through life’s convolutions, than that being afforded by Coach Freeze.
Rebel
January 17, 2015 at 4:51 pm
Jeff — know all the facts before you speak!
Barry Rose
January 17, 2015 at 5:22 pm
This guy Jeff is obviously an illiterate moron and without any
understanding of Ole Miss football or anything else for that
matter. Get a life Jeff !!
Texas Rebel in Oxford
Jerry W Short
January 17, 2015 at 11:40 pm
I believe Kelly will do more for Freeze than Freeze will do for Kelly . Just like Wallace did for Freeze ! Wake up , college football isn’t about students anymore it’s all about the money ! Just follow the money !
Larry
January 18, 2015 at 4:19 pm
Jeff, you’re an idiot. You have many more issues than Chad Kelly.
Rudy
January 18, 2015 at 8:41 pm
The kid needs to take a history lesson regarding Jevan Snead. Great potential undone by a big head and loss of focus. Learn. Do something positive with the talent otherwise hit the door.
Kevin
January 23, 2015 at 11:09 am
He believes in the Win-First philosophy. I can’t think of any “positive effects” Freeze has had on any players, let alone “so many”. I believe Clemson has a staff that’s pretty good at developing their players into men, with a no-nonsense policy. They cut him loose after a few incidents, and now Ole Miss is already looking foolish for letting this AK-spraying peckerhead on the campus. Don’t like the direction Freeze is taking the program.
L Kiffin
January 28, 2015 at 8:07 am
I wonder if Chad will be given the token “OLE MISS” bong that Nkemdiche has been hording since his freshman year. Maybe Chad can attend a school play and make fun of the cast like the rest of the football team.