Really Awkward Interview with Freeze Right Now on Finebaum

[Gundawg]

This might be the craziest stuff you've said in a while. And for the legendary Goat Holder, that is a considerable statement. You are just stirring the pot.

Freeze learned from the best in the business. He is exactly what the boosters at UM want. The fact he hides behind God is what is truly offensive. Even his teacher did not toy with using religion as a mechanism to deceive.

[DancingRabbit]

Hugh is like a good TV preacher. He's figured out how to make $5 million a year. Not the worst person on the planet but definitely not who he projects himself to be.

He learned at the knee of Orgeron. I finally read Meat Market this past winter. With regards to recruiting, Orgeron called Hugh his "right hand man". Hugh was breaking rules the same week Orgeron hired him. Got caught and had to self-report secondary violations.

So today Hugh says, "I have faith in who I am, what I do, and how I lead a program."

Why doesn't he say "I know who I am, what I do ..." ?? What is faith? The Bible says "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"

[Turfdawg67]

If Ole Miss doesn't get hammered, it's open season in recruiting for everybody. Think steroids era in baseball. Wild West.

Well if that happens... count me in for a donation.

[Taog Redloh]

Well I don't agree with this at all. I think he's dirty and has been since he was there previously. I think that's why Archie and his cronies tapped an naive coach... because he was too dumb to question all the cheating, unlike Cutcliff and to a certain degree, Nutt.

Fixed this a little bit.

I liken the situation a LOT to Chizik and Auburn. You got a guy who would fiercely tow the party line. He probably knows some people are working the background, but mentally tricks themselves out of believing it.

[dawgoneyall]

I'll say it. I think Freeze TRIES to keep it clean. The boosters are who is dirty (and maybe some assistant coaches). But I think he has chosen to ignore because he doesn't want it to be true. I do think Freeze himself tries to do the right thing.

He was hired to continue and extend the "network" begun while he was there under orgeron. Never doubt that.

[Dawgcentral]

I can see how Freeze could rationalize illegal payments to players and arranging for fixed academics, while all the time keeping some barrier between his own involvement and the actions of assistants and boosters. All he has to do is imagine his behavior as charitable.

People do it all the time. Folks cheat on their taxes while keeping in mind that they already pay too much.

BUT! That audit is the day of reckoning.

[ILOATHEBears]

I'll say it. I think Freeze TRIES to keep it clean. The boosters are who is dirty (and maybe some assistant coaches). But I think he has chosen to ignore because he doesn't want it to be true. I do think Freeze himself tries to do the right thing.

For u photo shoppers. Please take a pic from today of cdm laughing having good time with fbaum and then a pic of freeze. Clearly u can see which one sleeps better at night and caption it as Guilty Conscience vs Not Guilty Conscience

I was waiting on freezus and Paul to break out and sing Amazing Grace

[mic]

It's not a lie, if You believe it ...
His time is coming..

[Dawgface]

I can see how Freeze could rationalize illegal payments to players and arranging for fixed academics, while all the time keeping some barrier between his own involvement and the actions of assistants and boosters. All he has to do is imagine his behavior as charitable.

I think this is it in a nutshell.

[msbulldog]

It's not his faith that turns me off...his faith is likely sincere. It's his evangelism that's distasteful. His motives aren't for Him, they are for him.

Agree!

[TXDawg]

Sounds to me like the NCAA is looking for a pelt to hang on their wall and Freeze knows it's going to be his.

[blacklistedbully]

Finebaum likes him for some reason. Just got through saying Freeze spoke from the heart and he believes him. Think I will go take a dump now.

Kinda like President Bush, "looked into Putin's eyes and was able to get a sense of his soul". I think Bush is a good man, but that was a particularly embarrassing flub there.

Some people are just good at convincing the gullible, or those looking for a reason to trust.

[LC Dawg]

I've seen it mentioned elsewhere that Hugh said he was a target because of his Christianity? Is this true?

[msbulldog]

Actually, I do believe him when he says he's not part of the (presumably internal) fact-finding process. In fact, I doubt that anyone in the FB program, and perhaps in the entire athletic program, is part of any sort of investigation. Why would they be? They're the accused. It has to be taking place at the administrative level ... hopefully the Chancellor or President or whatever they call him wasn't complicit in all the goings on in the FB program. If they were, it's even worse than it seems now.

And yes, he probably hasn't gotten much restful sleep lately. I wouldn't either if I was in his shoes.

New chancellor, Vitter appointed about 3 months ago, probably doesn't want any part of this mess! That's why Bjerk & Freeze are off-line. The chancellor has taken over, which does not bode well for the AD & the coach.

[Dawgowar]

Good grief. Do any of you all not think he discussed his responses with their PR department before he even arrived at that course? It's spin. This is a long march. UNM let him be interviewed. They could have declined. They knew PF would lob softballs and they prepped their answers like any organization or politician does before a press conference.

"Woe is us! We special little Rebel Bears are being victimized by the mean ol' NCAA!" Barf. Hope this things drags and drags for two to three more years. Think they are touchy now? Wait until recruiting really heats up and the big players start using this against them.

Enjoy every stinking minute of this.

[cheewgumm]

Fienbaum has nothing to gain by doubting Freeze.

He'll just piss off a bunch of Christians.

I think Freeze thinks he is faithful, but he is just using his faith as a defense against criticism, IMO. He couldn't get away with it on a national scale but in the Gid fearing South, you don't question someone's faith. It's like questions God himself. It's brilliant really.

[deadheaddawg]

Has any national media member spoke out that they believe Ole Miss will get the hammer? Serious question

[DancingRabbit]

Has any national media member spoke out that they believe Ole Miss will get the hammer? Serious question

National media is very hesitant to make predictions like that. Certainly not before the NOA sees the light of day.

[Reason2succeed]

I finally got a chance to listen to the audio. (For some reason the SEC Network website didn't think Hugh's interview was worth being posted but Mullen talking about the Boston Marathon was.)

What I heard was Hugh leaving a lot of room for error. He kept hedging his words. It was Paul that offered up the word knowingly when Hugh was searching for the right phrase. It sounds to me like Hugh knows that they've been caught and someone is likely going to get canned. He's just trying to contain it by placing it all on that "scapegoat". Unfortunately it sounds like Barney ain't going for it. Barney doesn't want to be the sacrificial lamb for a Freezus.

[Liverpooldawg]

Did he really say he was a target because of his faith?