Hugh Freeze gives first interview since stepping down as Ole Miss’ head coach

Former Ole Miss football head man Hugh Freeze abruptly resigned last Thursday, following the release of information that disclose his making a phone call to an escort service in Tampa, Fla. on Jan. 19, 2017. Coupled with a severe NCAA investigation that’ll find down this fall, Freeze’s continued employment by the University of Mississippi then became untenable.

Since then, he’s maintained a very low public profile, going silent on Twitter since July 18. On Wednesday, though, he made his first public comments to the media, speaking with USA Today Sports about life in the immediate aftermath of his sudden departure. He addressed very little of substance — and virtually nothing about the NCAA probe, his cellphone, or an escort service in Tampa — electing to face totally away from the controversy he stirred up last week.

The most direct approach he made to the affair was to say, “Good is good, even in difficult times.” Difficult times indeed, coach. One pauses here, however, to note that Freeze discussed “sin nature” in the week before his spectacular resignation.

“It took me talking a lot with my mentors to really understand the battle with the sin nature will never go away.” Freeze told Jason Romano Sports Spectrum Podcast in an interview published online July 14. “And it’s only by God’s grace that we can overcome that and with daily surrender to that.’’

Freeze emphasized the importance and support of his family and close friends, who have remained unwavering in their commitment to him. He’s spending time with his daughters, who are volleyball players.

“The girls have volleyball and then I’ll watch them,’’ he said. “I know I’m going to meet with my pastor tonight too.’’

There’s very little of remark, here, and certainly Freeze’s camp wants to keep it that way. Still, not a single word about the matter at hand, nor any form of apology or acknowledgement rankles a bit, if only because Ole Miss fans have undoubtedly shouting “WHAT THE HELL, DUDE?” for the last six days. Oh well.