Saban respects SEC call on Freeze

Alabama coach Nick Saban said he respects the Southeastern Conference and what conference officials think is “best for the league relative to circumstances that people created for themselves” when he was asked about the Crimson Tide’s interest in hiring former Mississippi coach Hugh Freeze. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Hugh Freeze as a coach,” Saban said when asked about him at a charity event in Mobile, Ala. “I think he did a fabulous job when he was at Ole Miss. He has been a friend that I’ve shared ideas with and spent time with” Several media outlets reported Alabama wanted to hire Freeze as co-offensive coordinator but was discouraged by the SEC considering he had parted from Ole Miss after issues with the NCAA. Freeze resigned in July after USA TODAY learned Freeze’s phone records showed calls to a female escort service. “We also have a lot of respect for the SEC and what they think is, in some cases, best for the league relative to circumstances that people created for themselves,” Saban said.