Fansided

Hugh Freeze apologizes to Ole Miss for ‘selfish decisions’

By Nathaniel Reeves

OXFORD, MS - NOVEMBER 26: Head Coach Hugh Freeze of the Mississippi Rebels watches his team warm up before a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Bulldogs defeated the Rebels 55-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - NOVEMBER 26: Head Coach Hugh Freeze of the Mississippi Rebels watches his team warm up before a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Bulldogs defeated the Rebels 55-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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Here’s what embattled former Ole Miss Rebels head coach Hugh Freeze had to say in his first public statement since stepping down in July

Following his resignation on July 20, former Ole Miss Rebels head coach Huge Freeze has remained largely silent as more and more details about his escort service and recruiting scandals unfold. That changed on Saturday morning, as Freeze released his first public statement since stepping down over two months ago.

In the form of a handwritten letter, Freeze offered the Ole Miss community an apology for the “pain and disappointment” he caused the university and asked for forgiveness. Freeze also said he made selfish decisions while also indicating a few details about the case are not being reported accurately.

The full letter, which begins with the following two passages, is available to read on RebelGrove.com.

"While I realize a statement from me could be met with criticism and more negative attention, I believe I owe the Ole Miss family an apology for the pain and disappointment I’ve caused them. With this being an open week for the football team, and with the NCAA hearing behind us, this seemed to be the right time for me to speak from my heart.While some of the things being reported about the matter are inaccurate, or in some cases completely false, it’s much more important for me to tell you that what I did was wrong, and there’s no justification for me making the selfish decisions that I knowingly made. I know I’ve hurt many people, especially those in the Ole Miss family, and I am asking you to forgive me for what I’ve done. I miss being a part of Ole Miss but will be pulling for our team every Saturday this season. To my faith family, I ask for your forgiveness and appreciate your prayers as well."

Freeze led the Rebels to one of their best stretches of success since the 1960s with a 39-25 record and two New Year’s Six appearances over five seasons. The Rebels suddenly transformed into a recruiting powerhouse under Freeze with a number of top 15 classes and sent stars like Laremy Tunsil and Robert Nkemdiche to the NFL.

That success is going to come at a hefty price, however, as the NCAA charged Ole Miss with eight violations related to recruiting and improper benefits in February, costing the Rebels a chance at bowl eligibility in 2017. Things got much worse for Freeze in July when Ole Miss discovered a series of calls to a female escort service, leading to his immediate resignation, and a recent report indicated he was using a burner phone for recruits.

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Many members of the Ole Miss community will understandably not be able to forgive Freeze, as the NCAA is likely to hand out further punishments that could hurt the football team for years. The Rebels are currently 2-1 under interim head coach Matt Luke and face a trip to Alabama next week.

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