[Purple Haize]

Absolutely - some will leave. If Freeze signs a deal and leaves, I hope he doesn't go full-on Billy Napier and that the administration navigates a very quick transition to get a new face in front of the '23 and '24 recruits.

Recruits that leave because of a coach show that they are no better than the coach at keeping a commitment and sticking to their word. Let's hope he recruited better young men than that

What? That’s a ridiculous comment. Players come to a school for the most part because of the coach(es). It’s who they spend the majority of their time with on campus. They also sign one year contracts. So they can not be renewed from one year to the next
I don’t fault any player for leaving if their coach leaves.

[Liberty22]

Exactly right Purple. Beat me to the response. Kids choose the school because of the coach recruiting them.

[Tnobes]

Exactly right Purple. Beat me to the response. Kids choose the school because of the coach recruiting them.

You want kids who bleed your school and state, not ones that follow a cult of personality, a kid should pick the school because he loves the school and wants to represent that school and get an education from that school, not one who is there for a coach and to chase an NFL dream. But college football is nothing more than prostitution (but less admirable), the coach is the pimp and the players are the "product". It's sad it's just a business now and not about the athletic experience and love of the game

[flamesfilmguy]

Exactly right Purple. Beat me to the response. Kids choose the school because of the coach recruiting them.

You want kids who bleed your school and state, not ones that follow a cult of personality, a kid should pick the school because he loves the school and wants to represent that school and get an education from that school, not one who is there for a coach and to chase an NFL dream. But college football is nothing more than prostitution (but less admirable), the coach is the pimp and the players are the "product". It's sad it's just a business now and not about the athletic experience and love of the game

That’s just not how 90% of recruiting works… not just at Liberty but all over the country. Kids don’t go to school anymore because of the actual school. They go to play for a coach who is giving them an opportunity to play through that school the game they love. They spend 80% of their time with those coaches that recruited them to said school and it’s the MAIN reason they are there. I haven’t met a kid in the past decade who said they didn’t care who the coach was they was coming to school X because it’s where they want to be. I feel like Liberty more than any other school I’ve been at has this weird overinflated sense of self worth that fans are appalled when someone like a head coach or player wants to leave to better their careers. I get it there are occasionally selfish kids who make the mistake of thinking the grass is greener and even coaches. But they will learn. And what better way to learn life lessons like that than in college? Isn’t that partially what higher Ed is for? Preparing kids for the real world? Or have we completely thrown that out the window to be a giant money making degree mill? I’ll wish whoever decides to leave good luck and thank them for their time and effort. Then I’ll move on. That’s all you can do.

[rtb72]

Exactly right Purple. Beat me to the response. Kids choose the school because of the coach recruiting them.

You want kids who bleed your school and state, not ones that follow a cult of personality, a kid should pick the school because he loves the school and wants to represent that school and get an education from that school, not one who is there for a coach and to chase an NFL dream. But college football is nothing more than prostitution (but less admirable), the coach is the pimp and the players are the "product". It's sad it's just a business now and not about the athletic experience and love of the game

That’s just not how 90% of recruiting works… not just at Liberty but all over the country. Kids don’t go to school anymore because of the actual school. They go to play for a coach who is giving them an opportunity to play through that school the game they love. They spend 80% of their time with those coaches that recruited them to said school and it’s the MAIN reason they are there. I haven’t met a kid in the past decade who said they didn’t care who the coach was they was coming to school X because it’s where they want to be. I feel like Liberty more than any other school I’ve been at has this weird overinflated sense of self worth that fans are appalled when someone like a head coach or player wants to leave to better their careers. I get it there are occasionally selfish kids who make the mistake of thinking the grass is greener and even coaches. But they will learn. And what better way to learn life lessons like that than in college? Isn’t that partially what higher Ed is for? Preparing kids for the real world? Or have we completely thrown that out the window to be a giant money making degree mill? I’ll wish whoever decides to leave good luck and thank them for their time and effort. Then I’ll move on. That’s all you can do.

Even if the school is one of their first choices...it's the coach that sells it, and the program. To your point, I can't help but think that the recruits visiting today left with a "not so good taste" of our current situation.

[JK37]

People make the place. For a student-athlete, those people are coaches and teammates. To suggest a recruit should choose a school, and then to suggest that has nothing to do with a coach is ignorance and stupidity of the highest order.

The only issue I have with Hugh Freeze is how poorly the team has performed the last three weeks. It’s sad now that with hindsight and timing, we all suspect it’s because his commitment was less than 100% to LU’s football team. We’ll never know for sure, but this could’ve been a pretty special season. We all started to assume we would defeat UCONN, VT and NMST. Is it so impossible to assume the players did too?
But UConn is well-coached, had a lot to play for, and we had lost Dae Dae.
VT had a DL that was able to dominate our OL, and we didn’t have Dae Dae.
NMST-the coach just told them he was thinking about leaving. Because they asked. At least he didn’t BS. Then to try for one more win. And what did LU have to play for? We already had a bowl. And we didn’t have Dae Dae.

(Next year, very likely NMST on the last weekend would mean more. Just saying.)

As for leaving, if he is leaving, I don’t blame HF one bit. Not for leaving, and not for being honest about it when confronted by his players about sourced reports on social media. He never said he would inform anyone first if he was interested; he only said those people would know first if he chose to leave. I guarantee you he’s fielded more calls about other jobs that we know nothing about and never will.

He always said he had a list. His list was a very short one, and I always figured Auburn on it. Auburn called. He listened. He never led me to believe he was going to be here forever. You people who are disappointed are only so because of YOUR expectations. You read HF wrong if that was inference. That on you, not him.

LU is not a destination job for most. LU got several great years out of Hugh. LU will be fine.

If you want to blame something, blame the NCAA’s recruiting calendar right now. The early signing period has just sped up coaching changes. And transfers for that matter.

[ballah09]

According to Auburn’s message board. Auburn nixed the Freeze deal due to the criticism they received on Twitter and emails.

[Tnobes]

I know players commit to coaches and don't give a dang about education or the school, but the fact that that is the case shows we have failed miserably at raising good men. College athletics is now all about money and winning and getting to the NFL, the adults in charge should have done better, but they were no better

[rtb72]

People make the place. For a student-athlete, those people are coaches and teammates. To suggest a recruit should choose a school, and then to suggest that has nothing to do with a coach is ignorance and stupidity of the highest order.

The only issue I have with Hugh Freeze is how poorly the team has performed the last three weeks. It’s sad now that with hindsight and timing, we all suspect it’s because his commitment was less than 100% to LU’s football team. We’ll never know for sure, but this could’ve been a pretty special season. We all started to assume we would defeat UCONN, VT and NMST. Is it so impossible to assume the players did too?
But UConn is well-coached, had a lot to play for, and we had lost Dae Dae.
VT had a DL that was able to dominate our OL, and we didn’t have Dae Dae.
NMST-the coach just told them he was thinking about leaving. Because they asked. At least he didn’t BS. Then to try for one more win. And what did LU have to play for? We already had a bowl.

(Next year, very likely NMST on the last weekend would mean more. Just saying.)

As for leaving, if he is leaving, I don’t blame HF one bit. Not for leaving, and not for being honest about it when confronted by his players about sourced reports on social media. He never said he would inform anyone first if he was interested; he only said those people would know first if he chose to leave. I guarantee you he’s fielded more calls about other jobs that we know nothing about and never will.

He always said he had a list. His list was a very short one, and I always figured Auburn on it. Auburn called. He listened. He never led me to believe he was going to be here forever. You people who are disappointed are only so because of YOUR expectations. You read HF wrong if that was inference. That on you, not him.

LU is not a destination job for most. LU got several great years out of Hugh. LU will be fine.

If you want to blame something, blame the NCAA’s recruiting calendar right now. The early signing period has just sped up coaching changes. And transfers for that matter.

That's not how I read this:

IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE REPORTS FROM AUBURN?

“I’m sure it didn’t help. I have a really unique relationship with my boss, Ian, and with our players. They know that I’m very transparent and honest with them. I’ve certainly told them that if I ever got to the point where someone was pursuing me and I thought it was right for Jill and I our family that I would tell them. I have not told them that. For that to come out, I haven’t been offered a job but it certainly was hard to refute that report. It was bothering some people, just hate it.”

He knew he was in the running and they were "pursuing" him. He knew he was interested. Nevertheless, the performance the past three weeks lacked his focus, and I don't think it's a stretch to assume why. He didn't have to "tell them first", but for them to learn from news reports, regardless of social media or the "times of news travel"; kids deserved better...and they know it. LU deserved better, too. You do the job you're being paid to do...without forsaking it for the one you want.

[Tnobes]

According to Auburn’s message board. Auburn nixed the Freeze deal due to the criticism they received on Twitter and emails.

That would be hilarious Hugh Freeze would have screwed himself so badly by getting a stiffy for Auburn then not get it and have the liberty team hate him because of it. No way Ian can take him back as coach if Auburn doesn't hire him, we'd have to fire him. What a moron

[Tnobes]

People make the place. For a student-athlete, those people are coaches and teammates. To suggest a recruit should choose a school, and then to suggest that has nothing to do with a coach is ignorance and stupidity of the highest order.

The only issue I have with Hugh Freeze is how poorly the team has performed the last three weeks. It’s sad now that with hindsight and timing, we all suspect it’s because his commitment was less than 100% to LU’s football team. We’ll never know for sure, but this could’ve been a pretty special season. We all started to assume we would defeat UCONN, VT and NMST. Is it so impossible to assume the players did too?
But UConn is well-coached, had a lot to play for, and we had lost Dae Dae.
VT had a DL that was able to dominate our OL, and we didn’t have Dae Dae.
NMST-the coach just told them he was thinking about leaving. Because they asked. At least he didn’t BS. Then to try for one more win. And what did LU have to play for? We already had a bowl.

(Next year, very likely NMST on the last weekend would mean more. Just saying.)

As for leaving, if he is leaving, I don’t blame HF one bit. Not for leaving, and not for being honest about it when confronted by his players about sourced reports on social media. He never said he would inform anyone first if he was interested; he only said those people would know first if he chose to leave. I guarantee you he’s fielded more calls about other jobs that we know nothing about and never will.

He always said he had a list. His list was a very short one, and I always figured Auburn on it. Auburn called. He listened. He never led me to believe he was going to be here forever. You people who are disappointed are only so because of YOUR expectations. You read HF wrong if that was inference. That on you, not him.

LU is not a destination job for most. LU got several great years out of Hugh. LU will be fine.

If you want to blame something, blame the NCAA’s recruiting calendar right now. The early signing period has just sped up coaching changes. And transfers for that matter.

That's not how I read this:

IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE REPORTS FROM AUBURN?

“I’m sure it didn’t help. I have a really unique relationship with my boss, Ian, and with our players. They know that I’m very transparent and honest with them. I’ve certainly told them that if I ever got to the point where someone was pursuing me and I thought it was right for Jill and I our family that I would tell them. I have not told them that. For that to come out, I haven’t been offered a job but it certainly was hard to refute that report. It was bothering some people, just hate it.”

He knew he was in the running and they were "pursuing" him. He knew he was interested. Nevertheless, the performance the past three weeks lacked his focus, and I don't think it's a stretch to assume why. He didn't have to "tell them first", but for them to learn from news reports, regardless of social media or the "times of news travel"; kids deserved better...and they know it. LU deserved better, too. You do the job you're being paid to do...without forsaking the one you want.

The honest thing to do would have been to tell the team he's interested in Auburn the day Harsin was fired, regardless of if he was in talks or not, after all he's the one who said he'd be transparent, instead the team found out in sleazeball fashion

[Tnobes]

People make the place. For a student-athlete, those people are coaches and teammates. To suggest a recruit should choose a school, and then to suggest that has nothing to do with a coach is ignorance and stupidity of the highest order.

The only issue I have with Hugh Freeze is how poorly the team has performed the last three weeks. It’s sad now that with hindsight and timing, we all suspect it’s because his commitment was less than 100% to LU’s football team. We’ll never know for sure, but this could’ve been a pretty special season. We all started to assume we would defeat UCONN, VT and NMST. Is it so impossible to assume the players did too?
But UConn is well-coached, had a lot to play for, and we had lost Dae Dae.
VT had a DL that was able to dominate our OL, and we didn’t have Dae Dae.
NMST-the coach just told them he was thinking about leaving. Because they asked. At least he didn’t BS. Then to try for one more win. And what did LU have to play for? We already had a bowl. And we didn’t have Dae Dae.

(Next year, very likely NMST on the last weekend would mean more. Just saying.)

As for leaving, if he is leaving, I don’t blame HF one bit. Not for leaving, and not for being honest about it when confronted by his players about sourced reports on social media. He never said he would inform anyone first if he was interested; he only said those people would know first if he chose to leave. I guarantee you he’s fielded more calls about other jobs that we know nothing about and never will.

He always said he had a list. His list was a very short one, and I always figured Auburn on it. Auburn called. He listened. He never led me to believe he was going to be here forever. You people who are disappointed are only so because of YOUR expectations. You read HF wrong if that was inference. That on you, not him.

LU is not a destination job for most. LU got several great years out of Hugh. LU will be fine.

If you want to blame something, blame the NCAA’s recruiting calendar right now. The early signing period has just sped up coaching changes. And transfers for that matter.

The place makes the place

[AATL]

That would be hilarious Hugh Freeze would have screwed himself so badly by getting a stiffy for Auburn then not get it and have the liberty team hate him because of it. No way Ian can take him back as coach if Auburn doesn't hire him, we'd have to fire him. What a moron

Kiffin pretty openly flirted with the Auburn job. Not only did he not get fired from his current job; he was extended. Jim Harbaugh basically shut down football ops at Michigan for a week to openly prepare for the Vikings gig and nobody is fleeing his program either. You can form your own opinions about the specifics of how this situation was handled, but -- right or wrong -- this is part of the business of CFB.

[rtb72]

I'm not saying he should have told them right after Harsin was fired. However, you don't preach about transparency and be all sanctimonious when there are news reports whirling around the past few weeks and you are IN TALKS with the other school. Meanwhile, your kids are wondering and the rumor mill is running rough shot through your locker room in particular. You get in front of it (Leadership 101) I mean, what's the worst that could happen....the kids are disappointed and they're not as motivated? You lose the games you weren't meant to lose? (Well...here we are) Maybe, but at least you don't lose their trust. At least you leave with an appreciation for what you've accomplished without a stain on how you exit. Love what HF did, but it is what it is. There's a right and wrong way to go about such sensitive situations. Coaching, college football is business....I get it. I've been in it for over 40 years. There's a right way and a wrong way to go about it. Especially with your loyal followers.

[rtb72]

According to Auburn’s message board. Auburn nixed the Freeze deal due to the criticism they received on Twitter and emails.

I saw that. I doubt it changes anything, but I do expect there was/is/will be some backlash.

[Tnobes]

Glad lane kiffin pointed out this insincere bullcrap video. Funny. But seriously if Auburn backs out of hiring freeze, the damage is done to the team, how does he ever lead that locker room again with players trusting him again? It's over. The team is screwed either way

[TH Spangler]

Freezes contract was rewritten the week after Arkansas. I want to know what if any changes were made to his buyout language. If it was lowered then Ian probably played a roll in this, clearing the way. If Liberty isn't a big financial winner, that's concerning.

[thepostman]

From what I understand, Auburn would have to pay LU 4 million. Not bad but not exactly earth shattering.

There are rumblings that Auburn is getting cold feet then what? I don't know. That isn't coming from anybody dependable and all those close to the situation still seem to think he is gone. I do hope we get clarification sooner rather than later.

If this somehow falls through Hugh will be back. Because that contract he recently signed means LU would have to pony up a lot of cash to remove him. HF has one of the best agents in all of college football. There is no way the new agreement benefited anybody but HF.

I still think he is gone. I don't think a social media movement will change minds if the boosters are on board. But we shall see. It'll be an interesting 24-48 hours.

[stokesjokes]

They’re idiots if they didn’t anticipate social media backlash. They’re not gonna say “gee, people on Twitter don’t want him, maybe let’s not.” They know who he is and all of his baggage, they knew that weeks ago before they started talking to him.

[Purple Haize]

I know players commit to coaches and don't give a dang about education or the school, but the fact that that is the case shows we have failed miserably at raising good men. College athletics is now all about money and winning and getting to the NFL, the adults in charge should have done better, but they were no better

What about women? They play sports too.
Where do you Coe to your understanding that the players don’t care about an education? There are scores who get their undergraduate degrees early and work on their masters degree while still playing. I would suggest you reevaluate your perception.
Yes athletics is about winning. It’s why they keep score. Yes it’s about money That’s how you build these great stadiums and pay coaches $5 million in Central
VA. It’s also about education I believe the graduation rates for incoming Freshman athletes is still higher than the General Student population at large. You can Google fact check me on that. I might be wrong but not by much.

[Purple Haize]

They’re idiots if they didn’t anticipate social media backlash. They’re not gonna say “gee, people on Twitter don’t want him, maybe let’s not.” They know who he is and all of his baggage, they knew that weeks ago before they started talking to him.

Happened at Tennessee

[Purple Haize]

People make the place. For a student-athlete, those people are coaches and teammates. To suggest a recruit should choose a school, and then to suggest that has nothing to do with a coach is ignorance and stupidity of the highest order.

The only issue I have with Hugh Freeze is how poorly the team has performed the last three weeks. It’s sad now that with hindsight and timing, we all suspect it’s because his commitment was less than 100% to LU’s football team. We’ll never know for sure, but this could’ve been a pretty special season. We all started to assume we would defeat UCONN, VT and NMST. Is it so impossible to assume the players did too?
But UConn is well-coached, had a lot to play for, and we had lost Dae Dae.
VT had a DL that was able to dominate our OL, and we didn’t have Dae Dae.
NMST-the coach just told them he was thinking about leaving. Because they asked. At least he didn’t BS. Then to try for one more win. And what did LU have to play for? We already had a bowl. And we didn’t have Dae Dae.

(Next year, very likely NMST on the last weekend would mean more. Just saying.)

As for leaving, if he is leaving, I don’t blame HF one bit. Not for leaving, and not for being honest about it when confronted by his players about sourced reports on social media. He never said he would inform anyone first if he was interested; he only said those people would know first if he chose to leave. I guarantee you he’s fielded more calls about other jobs that we know nothing about and never will.

He always said he had a list. His list was a very short one, and I always figured Auburn on it. Auburn called. He listened. He never led me to believe he was going to be here forever. You people who are disappointed are only so because of YOUR expectations. You read HF wrong if that was inference. That on you, not him.

LU is not a destination job for most. LU got several great years out of Hugh. LU will be fine.

If you want to blame something, blame the NCAA’s recruiting calendar right now. The early signing period has just sped up coaching changes. And transfers for that matter.

I dunno. I get everything you have said. I’ve been a big HF supporter. But the look and demeanor of the sideline yesterday spoke volumes to me. I don’t know how to put it other than our shared vocational experience. You’d have noticed it immediately as well.
Totally get him leaving. Only talks. I’ll never criticize someone for wanting to better their family or situation. However, when you’ve been preaching that there are more things in life than money it’s hard to wrap your head around the move.
At the end of the day, Hugh got out of LU exactly what he wanted and he’s better off for it. LU got exactly what it wanted out of Freeze and they are in a better position for it. What happens next is entirely up to each entity alone

[TH Spangler]

From what I understand, Auburn would have to pay LU 4 million. Not bad but not exactly earth shattering.

Should have been 10M. What was it before last extension? More or less than 4M?

[LU 57]

Exactly right about the sideline. 0 emotion from
players and coaches other than a very little bit prior to kickoff.

I kept waiting for someone to get in somebody’s face, not to belittle but to challenge. It never happened. Very disappointing.

Now we wait I guess…

[ALAFlamesFan]

We might have to pay Auburn $4M to take him if WOKE Auburn Twitter has it's way. Sitting in Opelika today it seems like the community is less than 50/50 on this hire with strong feelings on both sides. My wife told me as an LU fan I should recognize we are not a destination job like Auburn and should have seen this coming. She is excited for Hugh at AU. Her siblings are just waiting for AU to destroy itself from within! Ha! Either way most still expect this hire to be made in the end.