CFB Newsletter: Freeze vs. His Running Back
Let's ask Richard about a coach-player dispute that could become a lot more common in college football's new world.
Welcome to the College Football Newsletter, where we go outside and expect our cars to start.
The last time we talked, I asked, “Would you rather be a Penn State or UNC fan?” Seemingly the answer would be UNC, given Penn State’s loss to Northwestern and firing of James Franklin within two days of that newsletter going out. Then again, maybe the finality is good? UNC is still going through it, after all. The Heels highlight of the week is GM Michael Lombardi boasting about his notetaking tool — an old-school typewriter — on TikTok. Talk about metaphors.
We’ve all had bad Mondays, but Hugh Freeze may have topped everyone this week. Auburn AD John Cohen gave Hugh Freeze a vote of confidence, so to speak, after a slow start to the season. As Cohen put it to AL.com: “I don’t know if I’m going to walk outside and my car is going to start or not, I think it is … But if my car doesn’t start enough, then I will evaluate that and make decisions about my car.”
That same day, Freeze announced that RB Damari Alston was no longer on the team. Alston was a team captain and wanted to redshirt the season after a shoulder injury. Evidently, Auburn didn’t want to pay a starter’s NIL amount for someone who wasn’t playing this season. The parties split. Freeze’s explanation of the move was brief: “Damari failed to meet the expectations and standards of our program … We love him and wish him the best, but that’s where it’s at.” After some uproar, Freeze took a more conciliatory tone.
On the Tasting Menu, Richard noted Freeze isn’t necessarily wrong in his (or Auburn’s) decision. He just explained it in the most Hugh Freeze way possible:
“I don’t think the original sin here has anything to do with sitting the player out. You understand how both sides view the situation in a different light.
The issue here is obviously the fact that Freeze went out and said what he said and painted Alston like a team leader had committed a crime. That hints at a disconnect with your locker room because you don’t understand how that’s going to play in the locker room. You saw how players started lighting that decision up on social media, and then Freeze had to walk it back later. He stepped in and created an issue where there absolutely wasn’t an issue if he communicated effectively the first time.”
Here’s what the SZD crew dropped into your podcast feeds this week:
We had our first emergency episode with the Penn State-James Franklin split. While everyone knew the situation was toxic at the end, Alex brought up a great point that the Penn State that Franklin stepped into was even more toxic. His success quelled the politicking that Bill O’Brien had to face.
This week’s Tasting Menu has some good-looking helmet games, including Notre Dame-USC, which might be more competitive than it’s been in a long time.
Bennett Conlin of the Baltimore Sun and JMU Sports News joined the Main Course presented by Modelo. They previewed James Madison vs. Old Dominion but also took a broader look at how successful JMU’s transition to FBS has been.
A new episode of The Job is live. This one isn’t specific to just one job, but four.
Elsewhere in the college football world:
If you’re looking for more on Penn State and James Franklin, Alex has you covered over at Slate.
Richard broke the news that the Big Ten fined USC $5,000 for playing RB Bryan Jackson after designating him as out. He explained it in detail on his Instagram.
The coaching carousel is spinning fast. Richard rounded up all the rumors for open jobs and for coaches whose seats are scalding hot at this point over at CBS Sports.
Thanks for reading. Enjoy the games, and we’ll see you on Sunday for the Hurry-Up with Richard and friend of the show Rodger Sherman, who’s tagging in for Alex this week.