Headlines
Rumors of Freeze Heading to Florida Run Rampant
On the eve of the biggest Egg Bowl battle in recent history, rumors are running rampant that Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze could be leaving the Rebels at the end of the season to join the Florida Gators.
As far back as August, I was concerned about the possibilities of Hugh Freeze leaving Ole Miss for Florida. In fact, I told a number of my tailgating buds to hope that the Gators have a good season to eliminate any chances of this eventuality. Apparently my instincts were not out in left field as local wags are now saying where there is smoke, there is a fire!
For weeks the rumors were fast and furious that the State coach was Florida’s number one target. However, in recent weeks these rumors have decreased dramatically. It makes all the sense in the world why Florida would be interested in Freeze. His age, his ability to recruit and now with three years under his belt as a proven SEC head coach all would be appealing to most any high profile program.
Florida also would like to recapture the number one position in their state from FSU. Unless, you have the ability to out recruit the Seminoles, the likelihood of this happening is not likely.
If this speculation has merit, would he leave Ole Miss after only three seasons? He personally told me at the Ole Miss Fantasy Camp two years ago that his aim was to be able to coach here for ten seasons and then retire, and Bjork has said the university is ready and willing to give Freeze a raise after his performance this season. I had no reason to believe otherwise then and still do not now.
All in all, his tenure here has been nothing short of sensational. Winning two bowl games in his first two seasons and having nationally-discussed recruiting classes following a 2-10 team that he inherited would get anyone’s attention. Because the talk surrounding this situation is spreading like a “forest fire”, the next concern is all of this serving as a distraction for our preparations for the Egg Bowl?
Whatever transpires, it should all be out in the open shortly. Let’s hope the ultimate ending will be in the best interest of the University of Mississippi. In the interim, let’s also hope that tomorrow’s ending to the 2014 Egg Bowl will also be in the best interest of the University of Mississippi!
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.You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.
| 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 |
| Sat, Oct 5 |  | @ South Carolina | W, 27-3 |
| 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 | W, 28-10 |
| Sat, Nov 23 |  | @ Florida | L, 24-17 |
| Sat, Nov 30 |  | vs Mississippi State | W, 26-14 |
| Thu, Jan 2 |  | vs Duke (Gator Bowl) | 6:30 PM • ESPN |
Jerry Spore
November 28, 2014 at 3:56 pm
Steve,
Given that most of the opinions expressed on this subject are based on mere speculation and conjecture, would you agree that giving “ink” on the eve of this game could be detrimentall To the teams preparation and concentration?
C’mon man! :). Show a little savvy.
JPS
Patricia Robinson-Mulloy
November 28, 2014 at 4:16 pm
He stated earlier this wk he never discusses his career & he & his family are quite content in oxford. I don’t think he is going anywhere !
Dianne Turgeon
November 28, 2014 at 5:51 pm
Exactly Jerry Spore!
Roger Parkes
November 29, 2014 at 7:06 am
Exactly, what Jerry said. Get in the game, dude.
Tim B.
November 29, 2014 at 8:12 am
Your headline is a massive exaggeration. All of this has originated from ONE Tweet made by a local sports radio talking head in Houston, TX who claims to have “sources” in Oxford and Gainesville. It is noteworthy that you have conveniently chosen to not include the source in this editorial…and, without sources, this is nothing more than an editorial. And not a very good one.
Mel V
November 29, 2014 at 6:30 pm
He gone.
Mark T
November 29, 2014 at 9:10 pm
From what I heard on local sports radio here in Tennessee the rumors have gained steam because people around Freeze and some of his staff have ducked that specific question in the media. While at the same time flat out denying other rumors….
For example
Q : Any interest in the coaching job at Michigan?
A : Absolutely not prefer to stay here in the SEC.
Q : Any interest in the coaching job at Florida?
A : No comment.
If you can flat out deny one why not the other?
And remember….
Nick Saban
Rich Rodriguez
Urban Meyer
Steve Spurrier
Les Miles
Brian Kelly
Bobby Petrino
Willie Taggart
Paul Johnson
Larry Fedora
Charlie Strong
James Franklin
Todd Graham
Chris Petersen
Kevin Sumlin
All were happy and weren’t leaving their jobs either…. LOL
Tex
November 30, 2014 at 12:24 pm
People need to understand that a university would not contact a coaching candidate directly at the beginning of a negotiation. They would contact the candidate’s agent directly. If asked by the media, Coach Freeze could be telling the absolute truth that he has had no direct contact with Florida. That is because Florida would not contact him directly at this point. Ask coach Freeze if Florida has contacted his agent… and see how he responds.