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Vol Twitter rips national writer for comparing Hugh Freeze to Greg Schiano
By Keith Farner
Published:
Tennessee fans drew national headlines last season when they voiced their concern and criticism about the pending hire of Greg Schiano.
That behavior was raised again Friday when Stewart Mandel of The Athletic responded to a report from Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports about former Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze interviewing for the open offensive coordinator position at Tennessee.
Whether it was his coaching acumen, or Schiano’s history at Penn State during the Jerry Sandusky scandal, Tennessee fans made clear their objection to former Athletics Director John Currie moving on hiring Schiano, the Ohio State defensive coordinator. Of course, the Vols fans said the Penn State connection had nothing to do with their objection to Schiano. It was more his history with Tampa Bay in the NFL, and how players “hated” him.
This time, Tennessee fans objected to the comparison with Freeze, who resigned from Ole Miss after reports surfaced that he placed a call to an escort service from his university-issued phone.
The on-the-field examples, at least, speak to Schiano’s struggles this season coordinator the Buckeye defense, with Freeze’s success, especially offensively, at Ole Miss.
There’s one thing about Tennessee fans. They seem to know who they want to coach their team, and who they don’t. And they’re not afraid to step in and let anyone know.
Well surely that could never happen. Tennessee fans made it clear last year how they feel about coaches with skeletons from their past. https://t.co/7LM6q0mo5B
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 30, 2018
I also know the difference between third-hand hearsay that was never deemed credible (Schiano) and … actual facts (Freeze).
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 30, 2018
I dont know if he would have been a good head coach, I just know he didnt deserve to have his career torpedoed by an angry mob.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 30, 2018
That's a pretty serious charge you're leveling based on next to nothing.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/LauraLMonroe33/status/1068569172362309638
Thanks for the input there Stew.. Remind everyone how well that Schiano CO-COORDINATED defense has done this year? Not well? Who would've ever thought, oh that's right UT fans.
— Thack Sparrow (@_TheLongOne_) November 30, 2018
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.