Grading Arkansas State’s Coaching Move
By Paul Myerberg // Jan 28, 2011

You may know Hugh Freeze from books like “The Blind Side,” which bares little relation to the movie of the same name. For starters, Freeze is not in the movie adapted from the book, though there are several high school coaches depicted in the film; either Freeze was forgotten or left on the cutting room floor — I don’t know how Hollywood works. Perhaps the filmmakers had a difficult time presenting his spread offense on film? This is the same spread offense that has led Freeze to success at each stop along his coaching path: last fall, Freeze’s first as Arkansas State’s offensive coordinator, saw the Red Wolves improve from 95th in total offense and 90th in scoring to 43rd and 46th, respectively. Roughly a year after taking the job as Steve Roberts’ coordinator, Freeze becomes the head coach.

Positives The offense. Based on what we saw this past season, Arkansas State’s attack under Freeze should develop into one of the Sun Belt’s best. Troy’s offense was more prolific, averaging more than 450 yards per game, and Florida International’s was more balanced, but there’s no ignoring the significant strides A.S.U. took offensively during Freeze’s lone season as the team’s coordinator. From seventh in the conference in total offense to second, adding roughly 80 yards of offense per game; from seventh to second in scoring, adding more than a touchdown per game; and from eighth in passing to second — behind only Troy in each category. This offense will only grow more potent with time.

Freeze learned his trade from the best: as a college recruiter, he made his bones as Mississippi’s recruiting coordinator under Ed Orgeron. You want a Hummer? Talk to Orgeron. You want to learn what it takes to recruit with the best? Again, talk to Orgeron. Now, Freeze won’t recruit the same type of athlete that the Rebels courted while he was part of Orgeron’s staff, but the lessons learned will remain a valuable asset. As will his time spent as a high school coach in Tennessee: he can call upon the relationships he’s forged on the high school ranks.

It was only two years, but Freeze does have some experience as a head coach on the college level. Yes, it was Lambuth — that’s in the N.A.I.A., if you were wondering. Nevertheless, Freeze led the Eagles to a 20-5 mark over two years, posting an 11-0 regular season — the best in school history — during his final campaign. If nothing else, that should give some idea as to how his offense improves with time. Offensively, Arkansas State should be even stronger in 2011.

Negatives Digging deep to find any negatives associated with this hire. Perhaps I’ve found one: if he does win at Arkansas State, Freeze will be moving on. That’s life in the Sun Belt, folks. This is assuming he’ll win, of course, but I do think that Freeze will experience a measure of success. To continue this hypothetical: Freeze and the Red Wolves add a win or two in 2011, increase to seven wins in 2012 and take home the Sun Belt in 2013 — he’s gone shortly thereafter.

Grade A. I can find nothing wrong with this hire. Can you? Freeze can run an offense, as this past fall illustrated, and has proven himself to be an adept recruiter. Arkansas State often came close under Roberts; perhaps a new voice, particularly one with this coaching ability, will be all that A.S.U. needs to take home a Sun Belt title.

(01-28-2011 09:31 AM)TU94 Wrote:  Grading Arkansas State’s Coaching Move
By Paul Myerberg // Jan 28, 2011

You may know Hugh Freeze from books like “The Blind Side,” which bares little relation to the movie of the same name. For starters, Freeze is not in the movie adapted from the book, though there are several high school coaches depicted in the film; either Freeze was forgotten or left on the cutting room floor — I don’t know how Hollywood works. Perhaps the filmmakers had a difficult time presenting his spread offense on film? This is the same spread offense that has led Freeze to success at each stop along his coaching path: last fall, Freeze’s first as Arkansas State’s offensive coordinator, saw the Red Wolves improve from 95th in total offense and 90th in scoring to 43rd and 46th, respectively. Roughly a year after taking the job as Steve Roberts’ coordinator, Freeze becomes the head coach.

Positives The offense. Based on what we saw this past season, Arkansas State’s attack under Freeze should develop into one of the Sun Belt’s best. Troy’s offense was more prolific, averaging more than 450 yards per game, and Florida International’s was more balanced, but there’s no ignoring the significant strides A.S.U. took offensively during Freeze’s lone season as the team’s coordinator. From seventh in the conference in total offense to second, adding roughly 80 yards of offense per game; from seventh to second in scoring, adding more than a touchdown per game; and from eighth in passing to second — behind only Troy in each category. This offense will only grow more potent with time.

Freeze learned his trade from the best: as a college recruiter, he made his bones as Mississippi’s recruiting coordinator under Ed Orgeron. You want a Hummer? Talk to Orgeron. You want to learn what it takes to recruit with the best? Again, talk to Orgeron. Now, Freeze won’t recruit the same type of athlete that the Rebels courted while he was part of Orgeron’s staff, but the lessons learned will remain a valuable asset. As will his time spent as a high school coach in Tennessee: he can call upon the relationships he’s forged on the high school ranks.

It was only two years, but Freeze does have some experience as a head coach on the college level. Yes, it was Lambuth — that’s in the N.A.I.A., if you were wondering. Nevertheless, Freeze led the Eagles to a 20-5 mark over two years, posting an 11-0 regular season — the best in school history — during his final campaign. If nothing else, that should give some idea as to how his offense improves with time. Offensively, Arkansas State should be even stronger in 2011.

Negatives Digging deep to find any negatives associated with this hire. Perhaps I’ve found one: if he does win at Arkansas State, Freeze will be moving on. That’s life in the Sun Belt, folks. This is assuming he’ll win, of course, but I do think that Freeze will experience a measure of success. To continue this hypothetical: Freeze and the Red Wolves add a win or two in 2011, increase to seven wins in 2012 and take home the Sun Belt in 2013 — he’s gone shortly thereafter.

Grade A. I can find nothing wrong with this hire. Can you? Freeze can run an offense, as this past fall illustrated, and has proven himself to be an adept recruiter. Arkansas State often came close under Roberts; perhaps a new voice, particularly one with this coaching ability, will be all that A.S.U. needs to take home a Sun Belt title.

Who is this guy and where did the article come from? Overall a pretty good assessment. I expect more than just a win or two more this year but once he gets the guys he likes for his system, look out.

Also, Freeze was depicted in the film Blind Side. He was the high school coahc of Michael Oher depicted by an actor from Arkansas. He also had a cameo as a college coach in the film.

Personally, I hope he is gone in three years!

(01-28-2011 10:39 AM)Crump1 Wrote:  

(01-28-2011 09:31 AM)TU94 Wrote:  Grading Arkansas State’s Coaching Move
By Paul Myerberg // Jan 28, 2011

You may know Hugh Freeze from books like “The Blind Side,” which bares little relation to the movie of the same name. For starters, Freeze is not in the movie adapted from the book, though there are several high school coaches depicted in the film; either Freeze was forgotten or left on the cutting room floor — I don’t know how Hollywood works. Perhaps the filmmakers had a difficult time presenting his spread offense on film? This is the same spread offense that has led Freeze to success at each stop along his coaching path: last fall, Freeze’s first as Arkansas State’s offensive coordinator, saw the Red Wolves improve from 95th in total offense and 90th in scoring to 43rd and 46th, respectively. Roughly a year after taking the job as Steve Roberts’ coordinator, Freeze becomes the head coach.

Positives The offense. Based on what we saw this past season, Arkansas State’s attack under Freeze should develop into one of the Sun Belt’s best. Troy’s offense was more prolific, averaging more than 450 yards per game, and Florida International’s was more balanced, but there’s no ignoring the significant strides A.S.U. took offensively during Freeze’s lone season as the team’s coordinator. From seventh in the conference in total offense to second, adding roughly 80 yards of offense per game; from seventh to second in scoring, adding more than a touchdown per game; and from eighth in passing to second — behind only Troy in each category. This offense will only grow more potent with time.

Freeze learned his trade from the best: as a college recruiter, he made his bones as Mississippi’s recruiting coordinator under Ed Orgeron. You want a Hummer? Talk to Orgeron. You want to learn what it takes to recruit with the best? Again, talk to Orgeron. Now, Freeze won’t recruit the same type of athlete that the Rebels courted while he was part of Orgeron’s staff, but the lessons learned will remain a valuable asset. As will his time spent as a high school coach in Tennessee: he can call upon the relationships he’s forged on the high school ranks.

It was only two years, but Freeze does have some experience as a head coach on the college level. Yes, it was Lambuth — that’s in the N.A.I.A., if you were wondering. Nevertheless, Freeze led the Eagles to a 20-5 mark over two years, posting an 11-0 regular season — the best in school history — during his final campaign. If nothing else, that should give some idea as to how his offense improves with time. Offensively, Arkansas State should be even stronger in 2011.

Negatives Digging deep to find any negatives associated with this hire. Perhaps I’ve found one: if he does win at Arkansas State, Freeze will be moving on. That’s life in the Sun Belt, folks. This is assuming he’ll win, of course, but I do think that Freeze will experience a measure of success. To continue this hypothetical: Freeze and the Red Wolves add a win or two in 2011, increase to seven wins in 2012 and take home the Sun Belt in 2013 — he’s gone shortly thereafter.

Grade A. I can find nothing wrong with this hire. Can you? Freeze can run an offense, as this past fall illustrated, and has proven himself to be an adept recruiter. Arkansas State often came close under Roberts; perhaps a new voice, particularly one with this coaching ability, will be all that A.S.U. needs to take home a Sun Belt title.

Who is this guy and where did the article come from? Overall a pretty good assessment. I expect more than just a win or two more this year but once he gets the guys he likes for his system, look out.

Also, Freeze was depicted in the film Blind Side. He was the high school coahc of Michael Oher depicted by an actor from Arkansas. He also had a cameo as a college coach in the film.

Personally, I hope he is gone in three years!

Did you click on the link? The article is from presnapread.com. Don't know much about the author.