Sports
I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Coach Hugh Freeze celebrates after Ole Miss’ 2016 Sugar Bowl victory.
Photo by John Bowen
By Ed Meek
President, New Media Lab LLC/HottyToddy.com
Few people in my lifetime have contributed as much to Ole Miss as Hugh Freeze has in the almost five years since he arrived on our campus.
Donors provide generous financial support, but Coach Freeze has given us much more. He has given our community and the Ole Miss family inspiration and heart by his example of leadership and dedication to his Christian faith. The rise of Ole Miss as a renewed power player in athletics has flowed from his leadership by example, his devotion to others, and his tackling difficult problems often faced by good athletes who are learning to become young men and finding their way through life. It’s a tough job, and he wins some and loses some, but he is always on his game on our behalf giving 110%.
His faith and commitment are the foundation of his leadership for God, his family, Ole Miss and others he reaches.
Wags in the NCAA, national press and at other institutions are talking about a possible suspension of Coach Freeze — the first ever under what may be a flawed process put in a few years ago. Some are even attacking this fine man on his faith, some even saying it is not real. God knows and we know, Hugh Freeze is for real.
Chancellor Vitter and Ross Bjork outlined the University’s position and expressed their complete support of Coach Freeze, jointly signing a letter on May 27.
Throughout what has to have been a very stressful process since the notice of allegations was issued in January 2016, Hugh Freeze has not wavered. He has remained steadfast for his coaches, his team, our University, its fans, alumni, friends and foes alike.
There’s always someone out there second-guessing a football Coach, but no one can question the faith of Coach Freeze.
I stand with Coach Hugh Freeze.
Ed Meek and his wife, Becky, are benefactors who established the Meek School of Journalism and New Media at The University of Mississippi. He is the author or co-author of several books and is the founder of New Media Lab LLC, publisher of HottyToddy.com — companies whose profits benefit the University of Mississippi. He can be reached at edmeek1@gmail.com.
Mississippi Highway Patrol being represented in Haiti by Master Sergeant Anthony Granderson!! pic.twitter.com/FOF9CiyHbr
— Hugh Freeze (@CoachHughFreeze) March 16, 2016
Very proud of @SuccessfulQuon pic.twitter.com/RmGl3FLq2V
— Hugh Freeze (@CoachHughFreeze) March 27, 2016
Blown away by Gods goodness & miracles for @SConque and baby Nika. So happy the Freeze Foundation could play a part pic.twitter.com/8Qu7woENiq
— Hugh Freeze (@CoachHughFreeze) July 13, 2016
Hotty Toddy! Thanks @CoachHughFreeze for stopping by to see some of our patients today. pic.twitter.com/ypqzVZr7eU
— Batson Hospital (@BlairEBatson) July 20, 2016
Thank you @CoachHughFreeze for visiting the kids today! Patient Madison Manning had a football ready @BlairEBatson pic.twitter.com/5NQJaTHh2i
— U of Miss. Med. Ctr. (@UMMCnews) July 20, 2016
@CoachHughFreeze thanks so much for taking time out to spend with these awesome kids. Sydney had a blast!! pic.twitter.com/MOcGfxBtwp
— Andy Mead (@AndyMead1) July 20, 2016
@CoachHughFreeze Avery loved meeting you today AND eating your ice cream! @BlairEBatson @mvbbell @Jake_Bell09 ❤️? pic.twitter.com/xepbq43YWG
— Megan Bell (@mvbbell) July 20, 2016
.@CoachHughFreeze headed to @espn after great #RRT16 stop.Look for him live tomorrow on the mother ship. @OleMissFB pic.twitter.com/7SbgtC3Hmp
— OleMissPix (@OleMissPix) July 19, 2016
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Donna Sivils
July 22, 2016 at 2:19 pm
I also stand with Hugh Freeze. He inspires so many and God absolutely knows his heart, just as He knows mine. #Allin
JERRY GARRETT
July 22, 2016 at 4:01 pm
110% BEHIND COACH FREEZE-DOING THE RIGHT THING’S AND WINNING IS SOMETHING THE OTHER SCHOOL’S HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DO,SO THEY BELIEVE IT CANNOT BE DONE,BUT COACH FREEZE CAN.WE LOVE YOU COACH AND WE LOVE OUR REBELS.HOTTY TODDY—
Scott
July 22, 2016 at 4:58 pm
It’s like the rebirth of Johnny Vaught.
Rick Sneed
July 22, 2016 at 5:27 pm
We have been blessed by God to have you at Ole Miss! Your gift of sharing your faith in so many ways is an inspiration.
May God continue to bless us with you for many years!!!!!!
Waite Ligon
July 22, 2016 at 9:10 pm
I stand by Coach Freeze as well! The Ole Miss family is truly blessed to have such a fine man leading our football team. The example that he and his staff provide student athletes as well as the Oxford community and the state of Mississippi are the finest. May he stay with us as long as he possibly can!
Many thanks for you fine article Ed Meek. Well said indeed!
Anonymous
July 23, 2016 at 10:23 am
I wish I could vote for him in Noember.
Tim Heaton
July 23, 2016 at 11:43 am
It would be enough if Coach Freeze only made Ole Miss a winning program. However, the positive impact he makes on his players, indeed all Mississippi’s youth, is the quality that sets him above other coaches who merely win games.
George L Price
July 23, 2016 at 2:55 pm
I stand up for Coach Freeze…God Bless you Coach…
James Messer
July 23, 2016 at 3:19 pm
I believe Coach Freeze truly belongs to Jesus and Jesus belongs to him ” not just for time alone but for eternity.” He is a man of God. He is a blessing to his family, his friends and to Ole Miss football. Phil 3:13 & 14 and Phil. 1:29
Richard Clark
July 23, 2016 at 4:58 pm
Coach Freeze exhibits his Christanity on a daily basis and th Ole Miss family should thank God everyday for what he is teaching the young men in his program.
johnny lofton
July 23, 2016 at 9:29 pm
I love coach freeze and family may god bless
Kim sartin
July 24, 2016 at 11:21 am
I am so proud of our coach. My husband and I have been around the program for quite some time and never experienced such a God fearing man and leader for our boys. He truly is an inspiration to us all. Thank you coach Freeze for sharing your family , your faith and all your God given talents with the ole ms family. Hotty toddy and Fins Up
Rick Henderson
July 25, 2016 at 7:46 am
Putting his coaching a side, oh and he is a great coach! I have watched him and listened to him and this is the kind of Man that your Mom would want you to be around! He loves Jesus and I think he is honest as the day is long! Will be praying for you Coach!
Will Patterson
July 25, 2016 at 1:01 pm
I think Coach Freeze is an excellent coach and a example of what a Christian is. Ole Miss is very lucky to have a coach of this caliber. As a Rebel Fan, I could not ask for anymore.
Jesus is the guide in my life!
delta
July 25, 2016 at 10:07 pm
The NCAA is such a joke at this point. They’ve proven time and time again their ineffectiveness. Coach Freeze has been a man of character and integrity…something they nor the other coaches can understand. Praying for you, Coach. Hotty Toddy
Sylvia Williams
July 25, 2016 at 10:23 pm
Taking a chance of losing Hugh Freeze would be a grave error in judgement! His contribution to UM is unquestionable that extends much further than the football field. He has been instrumental in bringing a positive influence to UM and to Oxford. Hotty Toddy, Coach Freeze!!
Rex Rush
July 26, 2016 at 1:49 pm
Started sharing videos of Coach Freeze from Day 1 when he arrived at Ole Miss. As a man of faith you could begin to see progress and positive changes going on as each of our players began to buy in to what Coach Freeze was teaching.
After 2 or 3 years, all my Hurricane, Gator and Seminole friends began to see and understand what kind of Coach and man we had leading our team.
For the man Hugh Freeze is, I’ve found most people are actually quite envious of what we have at Ole Miss.
Frank
July 27, 2016 at 7:33 pm
We should all be thankful for having a strong leader like Coach Freeze. God Bless
C. Scott Fischer
July 28, 2016 at 1:09 pm
Freeze is for real – I can only understand the people who don’t see it as caring more about their agenda or team than the truth. They will see what they look for even if it isn’t there.,
You don’t see these criticisms and character assassinations coming from a member of the Ole Miss Family and especially not from those that would be in a position to know.
Paul Phyfer
July 31, 2016 at 9:18 pm
I stand with Coach Hugh Freeze and Ed Meek!