Hugh Freeze met his wife Jill while he was a student at the University of Southern Mississippi, and after graduating, they were married at a Baptist church.
Hugh Freeze is a college football coach who leads the Auburn Tigers of Auburn University.
Freeze was a successful high school football coach at Memphis’ Briarcrest Christian School, where he coached Greg Hardy and Michael Oher.
After that, he served as head football coach at the following schools: Liberty University from 2018 to 2022; Lambuth University from 2008 to 2009; Arkansas State University in 2011; and the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) from 2012 to 2016.
Under Freeze, the Ole Miss football program committed several recruiting and academic breaches.
Those contributed to the NCAA’s decision to void 27 of Freeze’s victories and prohibit the team from postseason play for two years.
In 2017, Freeze resigned from Ole Miss after officials discovered that he had used a university mobile to contact escort services at least a dozen times in 33 months.
Despite facing various problems and scandals throughout his career, fans have well-liked Freeze as the coach of the Auburn Tigers and think he is doing an excellent job.
However, few people are aware of Hugh Freeze’s support system, which is none other than his wife, who is always by his side no matter what.
Hugh Freeze Married His Wife Jill in July 1992 at the Baptist Church in Independence, Mississippi
Hugh Freeze met his wife, Jill Freeze, for the first time while earning his bachelor’s degree at the University of South Mississippi.
They both major in mathematics, so it’s possible that they met while studying the subject; however, it’s unknown how they met or fell in love.
Hugh Freeze received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in coaching and sports administration.
They wasted no time and married right after graduation. The pair tied the knot in July 1992 at the Baptist Church in Independence, Mississippi.
Happy birthday to my best friend and wonderful wife!! Jill, You amaze me more each year that we share together!! pic.twitter.com/zfkxvqTsOe
— Hugh Freeze (@CoachHughFreeze) March 18, 2024
Hugh and Jill were on their honeymoon when Hugh took a detour through the University of Tennessee campus and stopped in the vacant parking lot of Neyland Stadium.
The couple discovered a small gap in the chain link fence and slipped through.
Hugh stood at center field, staring into the empty stadium, and confidently declared, “I will be a head coach in the SEC one day.”
Jill had never heard of Hugh’s desire to become a coach or seen him coach before, but she knew him and felt he could achieve it.
Hugh’s wife has always supported her husband’s desire and been there for him through every obstacle.
Jill Freeze Actively Participated in the Freeze Foundation, a Nonprofit Started by Hugh Freeze
Jill Freeze is originally from Louisville and earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and secondary education in South Mississippi alongside her husband.
She went on to earn a master’s degree in secondary education and taught high school students for more than a decade.
Because of her strong religious beliefs, Jill frequently conducts Bible studies and tries to guide new hires.
Jill also worked actively at the Freeze Foundation, a charity founded by Hugh Freeze in 2014 to “express God’s love” by enhancing the quality of life for orphans and disadvantaged children worldwide.
However, after the Freeze controversy, the foundation has been halted and has not been active since then.
The couple, who have been married for over 32 years, raised three daughters: Ragan, Jordan, and Madison.
In addition to being parents, Hugh Freeze and his wife, Jill Freeze, are grandparents as well.
Ragan Freeze Reynolds, their eldest daughter, and Jordan Freeze McManus, their second daughter, married in 2024 and have their children, Husdon Blair Reynolds and Danni Jane McManus.
Jill feels that open communication is essential for a happy marriage and she believes that Forgiveness, moving on, and showing each other grace are also essential.
Additional Information
- Freeze has stated that he is a born-again Christian and has been open about his faith throughout his coaching career.
- Jill’s favorite dish to prepare is Filipino Kabobs, and her favorite food to eat is crab legs.
- Freeze was born in Oxford, Mississippi, and raised on a dairy farm in Independence, Mississippi. His father, Danny Freeze, is a long-time high school assistant coach.
