Sports
SEC Country: NCAA Taking Toll on Ole Miss Coach
Hugh Freeze
Photo by John Bowen
Courtesy of Brandon Marcello and SEC Country
As the NCAA cracks down on Ole Miss, coach Hugh Freeze has been trying to control the damage on the recruiting trail.
He’s also been working to fix himself.
“I must own everything that happens,” Freeze said. “I own the gradual success we’ve had. I also own some very difficult losses: two that kept us out of Atlanta, a broken leg to Auburn, fourth-and-25 last year that would have given us a shot to go to Atlanta.”
The NCAA investigation and the 13 charges from the NCAA, including nine under Freeze’s watch (four serious violations), is taking a toll on Freeze.
“Probably more difficult than I can express to you,” Freeze said. “Maybe I care too much.”
Freeze also shared a story about a mentor, who once told him of life as a head coach.
“This job will make you callous and I do see where that is true because it is very difficult to be raised by my parents like I was, to be who I want to be, say who I am and have people create narratives I may or may not have had control over,” he said.
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| Sat, Mar 8 |  | @ 6 Florida | 5:00 PM SECN |
Don Brown
May 31, 2016 at 6:37 pm
Coach Freeze is a class act and will come through this trouble a better coach, administrator and person. I have great confidence in Freeze. Ole Miss may suffer for some errors, but she will come out of this better and more successful. Hoping Coach Freeze has a long tenure as our coach. Hotty Toddy, Coach Freeze, Hotty Toddy and God bless you for who you are.
Louann Irby
May 31, 2016 at 6:46 pm
Could not have said it better myself, Don. Thanks!
Donna Sivils
May 31, 2016 at 7:01 pm
I stand behind Coach Freeze!
Joe Barnes
May 31, 2016 at 8:01 pm
To me Coach Freeze is the best coach that OLE MISS has had in some time Hotty TODDY Hugh I’m behind you
Johnny Cox
May 31, 2016 at 10:53 pm
I have told you many times that you are the best coach Ole Miss has had, and only one other coach tops your effort and that was Johnny Vaught. I am very proud you are our coach, and Archie Manning will tell you the same exact thing. I will tell you that one of the best fullbacks the Rebels ever had, Bobby Wade just learned that he is now cancer free, and we all thank Jesus for a true miracle. I want you to hold your head high, and realize you are a fine man, a wonderful Christian, and the best thing you are my friend, and I think the world of you. I will come to see you play this fall a couple of times, and we will soon be back to even greater joys because of you.
M Ab***
June 1, 2016 at 12:22 am
Why worry, unless your guilty!!!!!
JW
June 1, 2016 at 7:20 am
Regarding the above comment, I can only think you are an MSU alum trolling an Ole Miss website because of the grammatical error. Should be You’re not Your. Hugh Freeze worries because he is a fine man who wants the best for his players.
Frank
June 1, 2016 at 7:39 am
You are the “best” thing to happen at Ole Miss in a long time. Stay Rebel Strong! We are behind you 110%.
John K. Helveston
June 1, 2016 at 7:47 am
Coach Freeze has proven to be a man of solid integrity. He has not only turned a struggling football program around in remarkable fashion, but has transformed the lives of some young men who were heading the wrong direction in life. I have no doubt in time Coach will be thoroughly exonerated.
Amy Hartley
June 1, 2016 at 9:57 am
Impressive for you to own mistakes that may not have been your own… Class act!
CSGO
June 4, 2016 at 6:12 am
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Chuck posey
July 4, 2016 at 3:28 pm
Coach freeze is a very godly man n believes in everything he says and does.he will bring the rebels back to the glory days now you can bank on that.