Hugh Freeze is not coaching college football in 2018, but could he return to the sidelines in 2019?
Freeze resigned as Ole Miss head coach last July, ending a five-season run in Oxford that included the program's second 10-win season in 45 years and 27 wins over three seasons, the most since 1960-62. It also, however, included repeated run-ins with the NCAA and one off-the-field issue that ultimately to his departure.
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Nick Saban attempted to hire Freeze as an assistant last winter but was discouraged from doing so by the SEC. At least four other SEC schools also contacted Freeze about jobs.
Clearly, Freeze is a wanted man and though his head-coaching stock is still a little toxic, a year off may reduce that toxicity enough to warrant consideration for a head-coaching job. If that happens, where might he land in 2019?
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Kansas
Current Head Coach: David Beaty
This might be the only way for Hugh Freeze to get a Power Five opportunity before rebuilding his image.
David Beaty has a longer leash than any other head coach in recent memory but the seat is warming. Another year without any on-field progress could lead to his dismissal, along with athletics director Sheahon Zenger, who in all likelihood won't be given a third opportunity to hire a coach.
Why not Freeze? Who would take that job?
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Charlotte
Current Head Coach: Brad Lambert
Brad Lambert literally built the Charlotte program and led their transition to the FBS in 2015. Progress in 2016 was followed by one victory last year.
If the 49ers make a change, they could opt for a nearby candidate like Duke assistants Zac Roper or Derek Jones or go outside the box with someone like Freeze. While Freeze would undoubtedly bail for a better job — which, sorry Charlotte, is just about any other FBS job — a short marriage may work.
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Southern Miss
Current Head Coach: Jay Hopson
Jay Hopson became Southern Miss' fifth head coach in 10 seasons when took over in 2016. The 49-year-old Mississippi native has won 15 games over two years and is one strong season away from earning Power Five looks.
Hugh Freeze is a 48-year-old Mississippi native who attended Southern Miss and knows the state extremely well. Southern Miss is a decent job that could attract a rising Power Five assistant who didn't violate NCAA rules, but crazier things have happened.
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East Carolina
Current Head Coach: Scottie Montgomery
East Carolina blew it by firing Ruffin McNeill three years ago. It was a terrible move that somehow got worse. And 2018 feels like Scottie Montgomery's last chance to do anything.
If Montgomery is fired, bring back McNeill. Admit your mistake, make amends and bring him back. If they don't, might they shy away from another coordinator hire (Montgomery was offensive coordinator at Duke) and consider a high risk-high reward hire in Hugh Freeze?
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Troy
Current Head Coach: Neal Brown
Neal Brown is getting a big job. It's when and where, not if. The 38-year-old former Kentucky and Texas Tech assistant is 21-5 the last two years at Troy.
If Brown leaves, given his success, the Trojans might go after another young coordinator with strong recruiting relationships in the southeast. If they wish to roll the dice, a former Power Five guy like Hugh Freeze makes some sense.
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