Hugh Freeze was picked as the next football coach by auburn. 0:58
Hugh Freeze is the new head football coach at auburn.
He wasn't sure if he'd ever get another chance after his downfall at Ole Miss and questions about his successful yet turbulent career.
After taking Liberty to unprecedented heights the last four seasons, Freeze said he's looking forward to re-writing his career at auburn.
It's hard to describe. I do not believe in deserving anything. Freeze said that he believes in earning something and that we fought to get it. At times, it's been difficult. I feel like I have leapfrogged where I was at that time by being in this family and this culture, so you can become overcome with emotion.
I loved my time at Ole Miss, but I think this is one of the best football programs in the country.
In the weeks leading up to preseason practice, Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze resigned after it was discovered that he had made calls to multiple numbers associated with an escort service. Ole Miss was banned from playing in a bowl game for two years for violating NCAA rules under Freeze.
According to the NCAA report, Freeze did not receive a show-cause penalty and promoted an atmosphere of compliance, despite being cited for failing to monitor his assistant coaches.
Freeze knows his past will follow him, but he is excited about the future of the school. Freeze had a single request for fans.
Freeze asked for a chance to earn your trust. I need some time to think. To know us, you must get to know us. He told them to get to know their family. "Get to know the truth of our story, and I think the people who have done that have said, 'Man, you know what?'" I like this guy and his family a lot. You can only ask that. Give us a chance to earn your trust and you will like the end result.
Fans flooded the president's office with emails after the news of Freeze's hire. In the summer of this year, there was a backlash when Freeze was criticized for sending direct messages to a former Liberty student and Ian McCaw. Liberty was sued by a student for allegedly handling sexual assault cases and Title IX issues. Freeze didn't work at Liberty at the time of the assault.
During the news conference, Freeze wasn't asked about his messages. In a one-on-one interview with the sports network after the press conference, Freeze said that he should understand other people's situation first before commenting on someone's situation. It was a mistake and I apologize.
There was a report Monday that Freeze would have to give up his social media accounts in order to take the job.
That is not correct. How could you do that? The person said freeze. There might be wisdom in that.
During the press conference, John Cohen said that Freeze was transparent about his past transgressions.
He said that he has had an accountability plan for the last five years. He spoke with credible industry sources and everything turned out to be correct.
According to Cohen, Freeze was at the top of the list from the beginning.
Cohen said that they never wavered from that stance.
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin was at the forefront of the search, as well as someone from auburn. Last week, Kiffin said he was staying at Ole Miss and had signed a new deal that would pay him $9 million a year. According to sources, auburn talked to more than fifteen coaches about the job
He will be paid $6.5 million per year over the course of his six years at the school.
Freeze met with Cadillac Williams, the former star running back and interim coach for the final month of the season, when he first arrived on campus. Williams will remain as an associate head coach.
Williams said he was interviewed for the head job about a week ago, but that he was sold on the future of the school.
It's God's timing that I didn't get to sit in this seat as head coach, but I was a little disappointed at first. Under Coach Freeze, I get to learn more. I really like his vision.
Williams said that Freeze's ability to do the job will not be affected by the backlash to his hiring.
All of us need grace. Forgiveness is needed by us all. Williams said that everyone needs second chances. "No one is perfect." I know I've made mistakes, so I don't believe his past will affect him. I'm all for him because he's owned up to his errors. To return to the top of college football is our goal.
Freeze said he's received a lot of text messages from big-time coaches who want to come to auburn.
Freeze said that putting a staff together that meshes with each other and drives the culture will be the deciding factor.
Freeze said that he will always be grateful to Liberty for giving him a second chance after not coaching in the last two years.
There were rumors that Sankey blocked Freeze from returning to the SEC after he left Ole Miss. Freeze said that Sankey had always been honest with him and told him what he thought was best for him.
According to sources, Sankey told Freeze to go outside the conference and return to the SEC if there were opportunities. Before he went to Liberty, both Alabama and auburn were interested in Freeze for the position of coordinators.
Freeze was overcome with emotion when he thanked his family. 11 of the 14 head coaches in the SEC are represented by Jimmy Sexton.
I have a well- documented story. Freeze apologized for letting a lot of people down. I've spent the last six years trying to earn the trust of my family, teams, administrations, and everyone that was around me. Keeping working to earn people's trust is what I learned.
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