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Hugh Freeze Is America's Greatest College Football Coach
Commentary by HottyToddy.com contributor Steve Vassallo.
I deliberately wanted to submit this story prior to the Auburn game because the outcome of this game in no way will change this writer’s opinion and countless others as well.
Flip back the calendar two-plus years ago when we were coming off the most embarrassing season in Ole Miss history! I cried internally the night the LSU QB took a knee here in Vaught-Hemingway to keep from running up the score even greater. The most HUMILIATING moment in Ole Miss football history had just occurred!
Exit Houston Nutt, enter Hugh Freeze. No one including me had any idea what we were getting. Archie knew but was in a distinct minority as to knowing what was to come. I was one of the “cheerleaders” at the time hoping for the Bama Defensive Coordinator. Thank God I’m not being consulted in making head coaching decisions! What has happened since is a Paramount motion picture classic. Hugh Freeze and his All-American family have exceeded expectations even Bear Bryant would have had difficulty duplicating.
The 0-8 SEC team that Coach Freeze inherited was not the best lineup to compete against the murderer’s row of the SEC. He went to work immediately and quickly sized up what we needed; how to go about obtaining it; while keeping everyone “on board” as he worked the “Freeze Factor” for future success. He assembled a championship staff of assistants who are committed to the mission, placing personal agendas aside.
Fast forward to Tuesday night, October 28, 2014…a date that will be hardly forgotten in the lifetimes of all of us who were “glued” to our TV sets that night. Working from number 25 forward, I told my wife, Rosie, when they named her school (TCU) No. 7, I said “I guess we’re right in front of you at No. 6.” Was I ever wrong! Enter Bama at No. 6. It took me several hours afterwards to truly comprehend what our leader had accomplished.
In 2.5 seasons this young, exciting talent has not only made the Rebels competitive, he has US in the discussion for a national championship! We’re not talking smoke and mirrors either. Anyone who has seen this team play knows we’re close to having an All-star team, save the depth that still needs to come and will! The probability of this happening in this timeframe is slightly less than placing a man on Pluto next year.
It’s time Rebel Nation to circle the wagons around Coach Freeze and family and solidify their tenure at Ole Miss indefinitely. Whatever it takes, we have to deliver it. This outstanding coach is John H. Vaught II. Thank you Archie for bringing us the greatest Christmas gift you could have possibly delivered to Oxford. Hugh Freeze may not be Santa Claus, but he’s the closest resemblance we’re ever going to find! I’m proud to be a REBEL! The only “knees” we’ll see being taken in the future are those from Ole Miss QB’s. A new era has dawned…the wake-up call to the Bama’s, Tennessee’s and Bulldogs’ of the world has been made.
Hotty Toddy my friends!
Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. In addition, he is a certified economic and community developer and currently, a highly successful leader in the real estate business with Premier Properties of Oxford. Steve’s lifelong dream has been to live in Oxford full-time. “I am now living my dream daily as is my wife Rosie, who works with the Oxford Chamber of Commerce,” Steve said. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.