Hugh Freeze and Gus Malzahn have a lot in common.
They are both head football coaches of Southeastern Conference Western Division teams. They are both currently 3-1 this season. They both have the same offensive philosophy. They both were successful high school head coaches that got an opportunity to make the jump to the SEC as assistants. They both were the head coach at Arkansas State for one season. Heck, they both even wear a visor on the sideline.
With all those similarities, it’s easy to see how Freeze and Malzahn have become close friends. But this week, Freeze’s 24th-ranked Rebels and Malzahn’s Tigers will face off in an SEC showdown Saturday night at Auburn.
“He is definitely a friend,” Malzahn said of Freeze at his weekly press conference. “He is one of my best friends in this business. We came from a similar background and a similar path.”
That background began in high school.
Freeze was the head coach of Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis, Tenn., for 13 years and appeared in six straight state championship games, while Malzahn coached seven different teams in 14 years to the state championship game.
From there, the two went to the SEC.
Freeze followed offensive lineman Michael Oher to Ole Miss, where he served as the assistant athletics director for external affairs before becoming the recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach under former head coach Ed Orgeron.
Malzahn followed quarterback Mitch Mustain to Arkansas, where he served as the offensive coordinator under former head coach Houston Nutt.
“We were two guys blessed enough to have be given the opportunity to come from high school to college,” Malzahn said. “The guys that came from high school to college stick together. There are a group of us guys that stick together and compare notes and stuff like that. Now that we are in the same conference, it is a little bit different, but we still have a very good relationship outside of football.”
After that, both coaches made a few stops.
Freeze went to become head coach at Lambuth University of the NAIA. He then had a short stint at San Jose State before being hired as the offensive coordinator at Arkansas State. Then, Freeze took over as head coach for the Red Wolves for one year before getting the job at Ole Miss.
Once Malzahn left Arkansas, he went to Tulsa as the offensive coordinator before serving as the same position at Auburn under former head coach Gene Chizik. Malzahn, then, took the head coaching job at Arkansas State after Freeze left for Ole Miss. After one year in Jonesboro, Ark., Malzahn found his way back to Auburn as head coach.
“It’s certainly been a very enjoyable ride, not without its share of ups and downs,” Freeze said. “I can’t speak for Gus and if there have been valleys in the journey. We certainly have in having to leave Ole Miss the first time, going to Lambuth and a short trip to San Jose. Those weren’t the most enjoyable decisions that I had to make. They affect family. You’re always wondering if it’s the right decision for my future.
“You just never lose faith and trust in those people that are very close to you and believe in you. Gus’ family is very dear to him, also. I can’t speak for him, but it is somewhat eerily similar. We’ve shared many times that we wished we weren’t in the same half of this conference. We’d see each other every so often and be able to help each other. That’s not reality. We have to go and play.”
And that’s the difficult part for Freeze and Malzahn. The two have been friends since first meeting back at high school coaching clinics. Now, they have to put that friendship on hold for a week. There’s SEC football to be played.
“It’s difficult playing your friends,” Freeze said. “I sent him a text yesterday and said, `I don’t enjoy playing my friends. I’ll talk to you after it’s over.’ That’ll be the last time we talk. He sent me one back saying the feeling was mutual. We don’t enjoy it, but we’ve got to do it.”
Although Freeze and Malzahn may not enjoy facing each other, college football fans may fall in love with watching the the two offensive gurus compete year after year.
Both Freeze and Malzahn have the same offensive philosophy, which centers around a run-based spread that likes to go as fast as possible.
“We are similar in pace and tempo,” Malzahn said. “Going to Arkansas State following Hugh was a pretty easy transition. Offensively, they at least had a base foundation. We have shared offensive ideas over the years. I have taken some of his stuff, and he has taken some of our stuff. There are some similarities.”
The similarities are so close in fact that Freeze said it could be advantageous for his defense in their preparation for Saturday’s game. However, Freeze expects Malzahn to have some new looks for the Rebel defense.
“We certainly can look just alike offensively, if we wanted to,” Freeze said. “We’ll be able to simulate their looks very efficiently for our defense. Having said that, both of us can change a lot during the course of the week.
“He’s got two weeks to do whatever he’s going to do. I know that he’ll dress things up and have some wrinkles we haven’t seen.”
Both Ole Miss and Auburn are averaging 28.5 points per game. Ole Miss is averaging 73.8 plays and 418.8 yards per game, while Auburn is averaging 72.5 plays and 439.5 yards per game.
Everything about Freeze and Malzahn is virtually the same, but eventually – well, Saturday – the two will separate themselves.
Someone has to walk away from Jordan-Hare Stadium a winner Saturday night, and whoever does will walk away with bragging rights for the year from one friend to the other.
For continuing coverage of Ole Miss football, follow @DavidLCollier and @thedm_sports on Twitter.
