Hugh Freeze on timing of Houston Nutt lawsuit announcement: ‘It is what it is’

Following Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze’s SEC media days presser proper — in which he formally began by saying he wouldn’t answer questions regarding the NCAA investigation into the Rebel football program — reporters caught up with him more informally, with the singular goal of asking him for more substantial comment on Houston Nutt’s legal action against the university and the athletics foundation.

After an initial question about the substance and veracity of Nutt’s claims — “I can’t comment on it” — Antonio Morales of the Clarion-Ledger asked the more pointed question about the actual timing of the announcement of the lawsuit. You know, since Nutt dropped it out of the ether the day before Freeze was set to speak to the assembled SEC football media.

He doesn’t say much, but he does briefly foray into existentialism.

A partial transcript, edited for clarity:

It seems a bit ironic that the timing was what it was, but it is what it is.

And on his relationship with Nutt:

I don’t think I’ve spoken with him since I begged him to keep me. I do seem him at the Chick-Fil-A golf tournament, and I think a lot of Houston.

And on his memory of media days past:

This is our sixth media day and the fifth time we’re talking about something other than our team.

He concluded by saying that he looks forward to a media day when he doesn’t have to address stuff like this. Don’t we all, coach, don’t we all.