By John Sarianides

Ole Miss football coach Hugh Freeze resigned yesterday after it was discovered that he had called an escort service on a university issued phone. The phone call was discovered after phone records from January 2016 were turned over to the attorneys of former coach Houston Nutt. Nutt is suing the school claiming wrongful termination. 

Freeze stepping down is not a surprise. It has been in the works for a while. As far back as five years ago, there were allegations of recruiting violations and paying players. Members of the Ole Miss football staff allegedly offered recruits money for their commitment. Former Ole Miss offensive tackle Laramy Tunsil inadvertently admitted the night of the 2016 NFL draft that he took money from an assistant coach. The allegation led to an NCAA investigation of the Ole Miss football program.

In February, the school imposed a one year Bowl ban after it received an NCAA notice of allegations. The NCAA informed the school that there was a lack of institutional control regarding the football program. The NCAA has cited 21 rules violations by members of the current and former football staff. The NCAA accused the Ole Miss staff of providing inappropriate benefits and merchandise to recruits as well as providing them with lodging and meals. Freeze was more than likely facing a multi-game suspension if the allegations were proven to be true.

Freeze had a 39-25 record in six seasons, including a 19-21 record in the SEC. Two of those conference wins came against Alabama. Freeze was hired because he was a terrific recruiter and communicator. He took the Ole Miss football program to another level. Unfortunately, a series of missteps by Freeze and some members of his staff have brought the program to its knees. 

Co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Matt Luke will take over as head coach on an interim basis. Luke has been with the program for the past six seasons.

I think Freeze would have eventually been terminated, even if he hadn’t called an escort service. Between the Nutt lawsuit and the recruiting allegations, Ole Miss would not have had a choice but to terminate Freeze. 

The university ultimately didn’t have to make that decision as Freeze re-signed himself. It is a bitter end to what was such a promising tenure in Oxford. Now Luke and the rest of the staff are left to pick up the pieces. It won’t be easy but if we know one thing about young people, they are resilient. The young men who are in this program will persevere and play on.

I am sure like most of us, they saw the demise of their football coach coming. It was to be expected.