Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze was the last coach to speak during the opening day of the Southeastern Conference’s 2017 spring meetings in Destin, Fla., Tuesday. The Rebel coach talked about what he thought were unnecessary rule changes to the recruiting calendar and the new NCAA rules regulating the hires of high school coaches — something that may have prevented the former high school coach from getting his start in college years ago.

During the end of his media availability, Freeze was asked about Ole Miss’ ongoing NCAA investigation. According to the Ole Miss coach, a resolution will be coming in the near future for the school.

Freeze on new NCAA rules banning the hiring of high school coaches to college support staffs:

“Were there recruiting issues that needed to be fixed? Yes, but man, we went all in on the other end of the spectrum. There are so many high school coaches that deserve any opportunity and there’s no question this affects them. I’ve got two opportunities coming open on my staff and high school coaches would be perfect for those roles but now you have to think through it. Find out how that affects you in recruiting. I hate it for the high school coaches, I really do.”

Freeze on new early signing period:

“I was against changing the recruiting calendar. If we were to change it, I was in favor of the December signing period, certainly not a June signing period… June (official) visits make sense because the kids we recruit, we will not know the realistic possibility if they will even qualify before at least their sixth (academic) semester, sometimes it’s later than that.

Freeze on tough out of conference scheduling: (asked if it is a necessity in the Playoff era?)

“I don’t know that it’s a necessity, I think the necessity to be a Playoff team is to win. Whether you play (Florida State to opener the 2016 season) or another team that’s a Power 5, at the end of the year, if you have 11 wins in this conference, you have a good chance to make the Playoff. The fans like it, the administration likes the money and our players like it, we like opening the season against something that’s exciting. I didn’t like having Florida State, Alabama and Georgia right out of the gate.

“We never really recovered from that mentally. I did a poor job of recapturing the early start. The Georgia was was probably the last good game we played.”

Freeze when asked if the NCAA investigation was the most difficult thing he’s gone through in his coaching career? 

“No question. I’ve been very fortunate in my college coaching career, only been a part of one losing season as a head coach, so it’s difficult. I think perspective is a word for me. You wouldn’t believe the opportunities I have to help people or a word to give to somebody. It’s all about how you view things and certainly a lot of people going through a lot tougher things.”

Freeze on pending NCAA investigation:

“Their support (from the administration) has been phenomenal. Their confidence has really given me strength. I ask the tough questions of myself. Am I doing things the right way for you guys? They’ve been just phenomenal, I’m so grateful for that.

“I look forward to the release on our side of things and being able to share that. Finality is what we need and that’s coming soon.”