Hugh Freeze mega thread and poll [merged]

[TheFlash1971]

Obviously, their are many other possibilities, but I don't see how you can preclude the possibility of Freeze . If the people paying the bills are in charge this time, they will make a decision based upon performance potential, not politics.

Freeze should in the NFL, he is bad news.

 

[Myrtleturtle]

Jesus believed in confession of sins and forgiveness, actually Hugh Freeze is a guy that Jesus did seek out.

Give it up!

 

[WhenUrVolUrVFL]

I don’t think the multiple “integrity” lines from Randy Boyd was an accident. That seemed to me it was direct shots at Freeze.

Anyone against hiring Freeze at this point is a complete idiot.

 

[VOL-TIL-I-DIE]

Me seeing the possibility of Hugh Freeze not being coach at the University of Tennessee.

 

[patrick]

Agreed. I'm moving on from my campaign. Waste of energy. I'm focusing that energy on supporting Kevin Steele. I don't GAF what his record was at Baylor 20 years ago. This is Tennessee. Apples and ORANGES.

If Steele gets the job, then the program is dead.

 

[golfballs]

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone! Hugh Freeze found Jesus! Who is Randy Boyd to question that! We are with you Hugh!

 

[BIGAL27]

They will hire another Bubba that's not offencive minded watch and see!!!!

 

[CA_Vol]

I think it is fair to say that the coach that would unite this fanbase and ignite Tennessee nationally from an excitement standpoint is Hugh Freeze. The consistent refrain regarding Freeze to the Hill is that SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey would veto the hire, and that it would look hypocritical for UT to hire a coach with previous violations and a rather colorful history.

First, let me say this. We live in an era where hypocrisy abounds. So I do not think hypocrisy should be an excluding factor. Hell, a guy who was coaching drunk on the field at USC just won a NC and took the Texas job. Coach Freeze took a leave of absence and now has coached without issue at Liberty, a Christian university that was able to see beyond his past.

So that would leave the biggest impediment to hiring Coach Freeze as Mr. Sankey. Here is why I believe he would be smart to allow UT to hire him.

The SEC is best and most competitive conference in college football. But I think it is a better conference all around when Tennessee is a contender. Let's be honest, the East was at its best when Tennessee, UF, and UGA were consistently battling each other for the division title. It made for better games, full stadiums, and appointment television.

If Tennessee were to hire Coach Freeze, the SEC is immediately a better conference. One of its Blue Blood programs is revitalized and a national story (in a good way). Another innovative offensive mind in the conference that has a history of success and an exciting style of play that further displays the SEC as the premier conference in college football.

The alternative is potential disaster for UT and a stain on the SEC. Tennessee could easily become mired in yet another difficult coaching hire that might solidify it as a lower-tier program for years to come. Is that what Mr. Sankey wants for the program or the SEC? Yes, maybe Tennessee gets lucky and finds a diamond in the rough and returns to national relevance; but, is that likely based on what has occurred over the last 12 years? Is it possible a coach on the same level of Freeze is willing to come to Knoxville facing a major rebuild with sanctions pending? Unlikely. So Mr. Sankey would have to ask a very basic question: Do I want Tennessee and the SEC to be worse off in order to make a point?

I can assure you Tennessee will be implementing stringent controls within the football program following this investigation. These improvements in oversight could also be used to satisfy Mr. Sankey that Coach Freeze wouldn't be running afoul of its compliance program. And from what I've read, I think Coach Freeze would welcome the opportunity to get back into a major program and prove he is a different coach and a better man than he was several years ago.

I think that if Mr. Sankey wants the best for the SEC, he will allow Tennessee to hire a coach that immediately elevates the program at a time of crucial importance. And he should do so because the alternative is just bad for the SEC.

 

[OrangeDrip]

What better person to lead us through the depths of hell(NCAA sanctions) then Pastor Hugh.

Edit: So there’s no confusion, I want Freeze at UT more than anybody.

 

[CA_Vol]

What better person to lead us through the depths of hell(NCAA sanctions) then Pastor Hugh.

I think for the reasons I stated, he is exactly the coach that could lead us through.

 

[99gator]

For sake of argument, the way people here tell it, the SEC is only interested in what's good for Alabama.

But, in addition, Tennessee has been lost in the wilderness since 2005.

Since that time, the league has produced the national champion in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.

So, the SEC has been in really bad shape since Tennessee went South.

Edit: For the record, I'd have no issue with Freeze at Tennessee and do not feel he should be kept from having the job for past behavior.

 

[OrangeDrip]

I think for the reasons I stated, he is exactly the coach that could lead us through.

Absolutely. The guy is my first, second and third chose. No way Sankey can tell us who not to hire.

 

[VOL-TIL-I-DIE]

 

[zidanefan]

I think for the reasons I stated, he is exactly the coach that could lead us through.

I agree that he’s the best hire from a coaching acumen standpoint. I just don’t see any way that the UT Administration makes a decision like that. The track record isn’t there.

 

[ksgovols]

I like the enthusiasm! We're gonna need it, but Sankey isn't the hold up on hiring Freeze.

 

[CA_Vol]

For sake of argument, the way people here tell it, the SEC is only interested in what's good for Alabama.

But, in addition, Tennessee has been lost in the wilderness since 2005.

Since that time, the league has produced the national champion in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.

So, the SEC has been in really bad shape since Tennessee went South.

Absolutely, and Saban has six of those titles. How much longer will he remain coaching at 69 years of age? And let's not pretend it's a forgone conclusion that whoever steps in at Bama keeps the streak going, or that UGA, UF, or LSU fill the void. The SEC is a better conference when UT is a national contender, period. The alternative is a worsening East, less revenue, and bad football from one of your most historically significant programs.

 

[OrangeDrip]

For sake of argument, the way people here tell it, the SEC is only interested in what's good for Alabama.

But, in addition, Tennessee has been lost in the wilderness since 2005.

Since that time, the league has produced the national champion in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.

So, the SEC has been in really bad shape since Tennessee went South.

I think he was mostly pointing out that there isn’t really much competition between the East and West. The West is the best conference in all of football. In the East you got Georgia, no team in the past maybe two decades has done less with more than Georgia. You got Florida, who always seems to be good, but never great. And then there is everybody else. I’m talking lately btw.

 

[SmokeyDog1973]

Freeze all the way. I’m confident we would win the East in 2022 with Freeze as coach and he wants to coach here it’s been his dream job. Make it happen UT administration!!

 

[CA_Vol]

I agree that he’s the best hire from a coaching acumen standpoint. I just don’t see any way that the UT Administration makes a decision like that. The track record isn’t there.

I like the enthusiasm! We're gonna need it, but Sankey isn't the hold up on hiring Freeze.

I think both of these posts are right. But at some point, the damn administrators have to make a decision that makes the football program better. Like it or not, this next hire may very well decide if the University of Tennessee is EVER a national contender again.

 

[BigOrangeMojo]

Sankey isn't going to be what stops Freeze to UT...

 

[CA_Vol]

I think he was mostly pointing out that there isn’t really much competition between the East and West. The West is the best conference in all of football. In the East you got Georgia, no team in the past maybe two decades has done less with more than Georgia. You got Florida, who always seems to be good, but never great. And then there is everybody else. I’m talking lately btw.

Spot on.

 

[99gator]

Absolutely, and Saban has six of those titles. How much longer will he remain coaching at 69 years of age? And let's not pretend it's a forgone conclusion that whoever steps in at Bama keeps the streak going, or that UGA, UF, or LSU fill the void. The SEC is a better conference when UT is a national contender, period. The alternative is a worsening East, less revenue, and bad football from one of your most historically significant programs.

I have no problem with Freeze getting a job again. I have no issue with Tennessee becoming relevant again.

All I am saying is it matters diddly poo to the league. Even the comment regarding "less revenue". Are you kidding me? Except for COVID, revenue is exploding. The league just got a new TV deal. Tennessee being up or down I don't think is all that big a deal to the league office.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

What better person to lead us through the depths of hell(NCAA sanctions) then Pastor Hugh.

If he has learned his lesson and doesn't cheat what do we have to fear?? You don't think he wants to redeem himself after what happened at Mississippi? Shouldn't one be allowed a second chance once they have paid the penalties? If the university wanted to hire someone that was hungry and ready for the fresh start and committed to doing it the right way versus say another coach who hadn't been caught but had committed some violations and would continue to commit them as long as they didn't get caught. Who would you hire? The man has always wanted to coach here, and at ole miss he got busted and has since went to liberty and is successful and ready for a second chance at redemption. At least interview the man and give him a chance to talk and make the decision based on how you feel after that not what a silly perception is, the big teams do what gives them there best chance to win. They could spell out freeze conditions in the contract of what was expected. It isn't like the university wouldn't be watching like crazy anyway. GBO!!!!!

 

[MWAVolfan]

You simply cannot fire a coach for cause with NCAA violations and fire the AD who wanted him and then turn around and hire a guy who was fired for the same thing. It's not happening. That's thing number 1.

Number 2, even if UT offered him the job, with possible big sanctions coming, he's not going to want the job. He will go somewhere where he can have success immediately.

Look for a very safe, unexciting hire. Not a no-name hire like in years past, but not someone who excites you.

Also, the next coach at UT will not be the one to lead UT back to a championship. It will be the one after him.

 

[VeeOhElEsYes]

I honestly think there is a narrative there that makes it make sense and could be a good storyline. Tennessee needs to be brought back by someone who’s been down and has worked their way back up. Born again if you will. I’m all in on Freeze.