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No. 18’s Crystal Ball – Dead-On Target
Ole Miss head football coach, Hugh Freeze, is without a doubt, savior to a floundering program.
All photos courtesy of John Bowen
Ole Miss head football coach, Hugh Freeze, was given the green light by Ole Miss football legend Archie Manning even before he sat down to interview for the head coaching position in 2011. At the time, Freeze was a realist and promised a turn-around; but not an immediate “quick fix” of a 2-10 program left in shambles by former head coach Houston Nutt. Manning’s decision – questioned at the time – is now seen as inspiration.
Photo by John Bowen
Manning, the hiring committee’s co-chair during Freeze’s 2011 recruitment to Oxford, considered (and still does) Freeze to be a man of “high character and integrity.” Manning and the rest of the committee understood that the hiring would make Freeze one of SEC’s youngest head coaches; but also understood that he was a proven winner at each career coaching stop. Backed by elite-level recruiting classes in college football’s most competitive division, Freeze undoubtedly has Ole Miss headed in the right direction.
Photo by John Bowen
That direction now includes an impressive 48-20 2016 Sugar Bowl thrashing of the Oklahoma State Cowboys on New Years day.
Here’s hoping that No. 18 holds tight to his crystal ball when aiding in other major Ole Miss decisions in the future.
Photo by John Bowen
Photo by John Bowen
Coach Hugh Freeze celebrates after Ole Miss’ 2016 Sugar Bowl victory.
Photo by John Bowen
Jeff McVay is a staff writer and graphic designer for Hottytoddy.com. He can be reached at jeff.mcvay@hottytoddy.com
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Joe Gauvin
January 4, 2016 at 10:13 am
Jeff you wrote a good article, find out what the committee asked Hugh during his interview. I heard he told them it would take 4 years to turn the program around and get it back to a competitive level. His prediction was accurate. He’s a class act.
frank
January 4, 2016 at 8:10 pm
WOW – What a job he has done. I did not know him at the time of hire but said if Archie said OK then he was OK. He is a lot more that OK at this point. Some of the “Dawg” fans are saying he will leave soon and I say he is at HOME in Oxford. Thanks for makinf it happen Coach Freeze!
Jim. Hays
January 5, 2016 at 5:54 am
I think Ole Miss has finally found their “Johnny Vaught” that they have been searching for far so long! And I hope his continued success lasts as long as coach Vaught. Sure does make it a lot more fun for an ole “Rebel” living here in Alabama, esp. the last 2 years.