Holding out for another job? Paul Finebaum thinks South Carolina may miss out on Hugh Freeze
Much of the talk since Will Muschamp’s firing at South Carolina has been on Hugh Freeze as a potential replacement.
The Liberty coach is a hot name in SEC circles, and many people believe he would return to the SEC after having success at Liberty and rehabilitating his image following scandal and recruiting violations at Ole Miss. SEC Network host Paul Finebaum weighed in on the matter during his regular appearance on “The Roundtable” on WJOX 94.5 in Birmingham, Alabama.
“(Ray Tanner) is very close to Commissioner (Greg) Sankey,” Finebaum said. “I have to believe these conversations have already taken place. I think it’s great that everyone has gone into the SEC bylaws to let the SEC know what they can or can’t do here. I think this is something that Ray Tanner already knows. I don’t know the answer to that, but I know the sentiment is very heavily towards Hugh Freeze right now. I don’t know how that decision will be made because Ray Tanner has always been a coach’s coach. He was a former baseball national championship coach. This was, not only his hire, he was the one that made the decision to give Will Muschamp the extension after the big win over Jim Harbaugh a couple of years ago down in Florida. I don’t know where this thing lies.”
The landscape across the SEC could change dramatically in the coming two years, and South Carolina may be far from his only option.
“I think it’s more than a possibility,” Finebaum said. “Nobody knows the SEC like Hugh Freeze. He not only knows what’s available today, but he’s looking next year to see what’s available then. You can do the math on what could come open. You have to weigh, do I want to go to South Carolina and be in Clemson’s shadow. Or, do I wait for what may be a better job next year, or more than one job next year. By the way, we’re not talking about Vanderbilt in this conversation. I don’t know if that job will come open or not. He’s looking at the bigger schools that could come open next year.”
Tennessee and Auburn?
“No doubt,” Finebaum said.
Miss out? Sankey may not even allow it and I think there are others in the mix that have less baggage. Tenn would be a great fit for him.
Hugh Freeze is not coming to South Carolina. Would you want to follow a Will Muschamp coached era of football. Ask the Florida fans. Plus look at SC’s roster…not enough studs in the right positions.
I would rather follow a Will Muschamp than a Steve Spurrier. No one wants to follow a legend. There are positions that are lacking. But I’m still not sure what you are talking about. We will never get the number of 5* as UGA and Bama.
You don’t necessarily need a stud at wide receiver and we have better QB options than most. Stockton is headed our way and Doty is in the stable. The O line needs work. Surprisingly we need additional on defense, a few more up front and replacements for the likes of Horn and the secondary. It really doesn’t look as bleak for a coach coming in as it was for Muschamp. Remember you don’t have to have studs if you can develop them. We did not have a development camp with WM.
I agree to a point…But I think nowadays thats starting to change…Look at Ryan Day at OSU…If the cupboard is not left bare, any coach with even an ounce of confidence in his abilities is more up to the challenge now than in previous times.
Remember when Hugh Freeze had the #1 recruiting class in the country when he was at Ole Miss? No you don’t. Because he didn’t win.