Does Hugh Freeze Deserve Another Power 5 Job?
We all know why Hugh Freeze isn’t coaching at a Power 5 University, but that doesn’t mean he won’t get another shot. After Liberty beat Arkansas this past week, Freeze is feeling himself. I don’t recall any coaching candidate giving this type of response when being asked about another job.
“I don’t know that Auburn wants me. I have no clue,” Freeze tells Brandon Marcello. “I know this: I have won everywhere I’ve been and my staff and kids have turned programs fast. It’s our culture that we instill. I know we do that and the proof is in the pudding.”
Freeze isn’t wrong. He’s just going the unconventional route. Most coaching candidates try to float their names to the media while they do all the talking. Freeze wants everyone to know that he’s a winner and the right power five program should be interested.
Freeze, 53, has an overall coaching record of 76-44 including a 5-2 record in Bowl Games. He’s also 34-12 at Liberty and has built up the program past where they usually are historically speaking. Malik Willis just got drafted and he’s upsetting SEC opponents. Someone is going to be calling.
Freeze is also a proven recruiter. Once upon a time, he was the guy that brought AJ Brown, DK Metcalf, and Van Jefferson to Ole Miss. Players want to play for him and he’s going to land mega recruits anywhere he goes. At a minimum, you feel good about Freeze building a capable offense anywhere he goes.
It remains to be seen when and if Hugh Freeze will return to a power five job. Maybe that’s Auburn, although they seem to be locked into Lane Kiffin. Regardless, if Freeze keeps winning at Liberty, someone is going to give him another chance. Because he’s too good of a coach to not get another crack at it somewhere.
