Freeze leans on family, friends

“God is good, even in difficult times. Wonderful wife and family, and that’s my priority.” Hugh Freeze, former Mississippi football coach, to USA TODAY Sports

Hugh Freeze made his first public comments Wednesday since abruptly resigning as Mississippi’s football coach last week.

“God is good, even in difficult times,” Freeze told USA TODAY Sports. “Wonderful wife and family, and that’s my priority.”

Freeze said his family was supporting him after records showed a one-minute call was made Jan. 19, 2016, from Freeze’s university-issued phone to a number associated with a female escort service. Mississippi officials said last Thursday they had found a pattern of personal misconduct by Freeze.

“Oh, gosh, yeah,” Freeze said when asked if his family was standing by him.

Although Freeze has not been seen publicly since he resigned Thursday, he indicated he is getting out of the house. He wore a baseball cap, T-shirt and shorts while clearing brush at his home in an affluent subdivision near the lake where he is known to fish.

During a brief interview with USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday, Freeze said he planned to take his daughters to volleyball and meet with his pastor.

“The girls have volleyball and then I’ll watch them,” he said. “I know I’m going to meet with my pastor tonight, too.”

Freeze also said he planned to visit Memphis, where he coached high school football for more than a decade.

“I’m sure I’ll go to Memphis and hang out with some of my friends some,” he said.

When told that a number of people had expressed disappointment with the circumstances of Freeze’s resignation but were standing by him, he said, “I would expect that.”

Those expressing support for Freeze include Michael Catt, a well-known pastor and author in Georgia who has developed a friendship with Freeze.

“I hurt for him, but he will always be my friend,” Catt said in a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports. “True friends are the people who walk into the room when so-called ‘friends’ walk out. All of us stumble, that’s why we need Jesus to pick us up and friends to love us when we do stumble and fall.” Freeze expressed appreciation. “Michael Catt is a godly, great man,” he said. “I got some good friends.”