Bruce Pearl fires back at national college football writer over criticism of him, Hugh Freeze

There are a lot of mixed feelings when it came to the report that Auburn is looking to potentially name Hugh Freeze their next head football coach. Some would be happy to accept the current Liberty head man that has a career 83-43 record in college football while others can’t see past the scandal that ended his five-year tenure at Ole Miss. While this has nothing to do with the Tiger’s basketball program, one reported decided to compare the decision to the school’s hiring of Bruce Pearl and, based on his response, he wasn’t having any of it.

Pearl replied to Dan Wolken of USA Today Sports on Twitter, who tweeted something that compared Freeze’s former NCAA violations with Pearl’s. That’s when Pearl realized that Wolken may not be making a trip to The Plains anytime soon if this is what has him riled up.

So I guess it's safe to say your not a big fan? https://t.co/wUwV6U5eyA

— Bruce Pearl (@coachbrucepearl) November 28, 2022

Everyone is free to think what they want of the situation that ended Freeze’s first go around in the SEC. However, coming after Pearl after he has posted a 172-98 record and been a great addition at Auburn in his return to college hoops following his violations at Tennessee feels like pointing fingers just for the sake of doing so.

Hugh Freeze candidly addresses speculation about his candidacy at Auburn

As Liberty prepared to kick off its game Saturday against New Mexico State, reports swirled saying Hugh Freeze was emerging as the top target at Auburn after Lane Kiffin said he’s staying at Ole Miss. After the Flames’ lopsided 42-14 loss to the Aggies, Freeze directly addressed the speculation.

Kiffin told ESPN’s Chris Low he’s staying at Ole Miss and signing an extension, and that could open the door for Freeze to take the job. A report surfaced during the fourth quarter saying Freeze has spoken with the Liberty administration about the job but hadn’t said if he’d take it or not.

In his postgame press conference, Freeze openly discussed the situation with reporters.

“I’ve communicated with (Liberty athletic director) Ian (McCaw) if someone ever wanted to talk to us that interests us, I would always tell him,” Freeze said. “Is the job everyone is talking about one that I would have an interest in talking with? Sure. That doesn’t mean they have not offered me a job. Who knows where that’s headed?

“But I’ve always said I love being here on the mountain. I’m happy here. But I’m not going to sit and say to our kids that’s just absolutely false there’s no interest in it. The part that is false is that there has been no offer made to me and nor have I accepted anything.”