Those tuning into yesterday’s tilt between Syracuse and Liberty saw something we’ve never seen before during a college football game. New Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze coached the entire game from a hospital bed.
Here’s a look at Hugh Freeze’s seat in the coaches’ booth.
Freeze will essentially videoconference with his team pregame and at halftime and do so during postgame press conference.
The plan is to fly him to Louisiana next week to be with the team on the road. pic.twitter.com/YA1HAXiQ43
— Nate Mink (@MinkNate) August 31, 2019
This was Hugh Freeze’s first game in charge since being hired by Liberty this offseason, and he didn’t want to miss it. It was the first time in school history that the Flames hosted a Power Five opponent, and Freeze wanted to do what he could to help Liberty pull off an upset of No. 22 Syracuse.
It’s been a harrowing last few weeks for the Liberty head coach. Freeze underwent surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back, and then his recovery was sidetracked after doctors discovered he had contracted a staph infection. That has led to the coach being limited over the last couple weeks, but he is hoping to be on his feet next week when the Flames travel to Lafayette to face the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.
Freeze was asked about his status after the game, and the coach said:
“I think tomorrow and Monday I’ll know pretty much. Felt really good today, and the doctors wanted me to really stay totally off my feet today and tomorrow, and then we’ll kind of have a conversation Monday morning,” he said. “It doesn’t hurt right now.”
As for the game, Liberty wasn’t able to put up much of a fight, getting shut out 24-0 by Syracuse. It was a rather ugly game as the two teams combined to turn the ball over seven times, and the Orange offense didn’t look sharp with new QB Tommy DeVito.
Wow, Dino Babers is all class. pic.twitter.com/TNzOYbL8an
— Kyle Boone (@Kyle__Boone) September 1, 2019
Syracuse HC Dino Babers made sure to pay respect to Hugh Freeze after the game, pointing to the press box as he walked on the field for the ceremonial postgame handshake.
H/T ESPN
