Editor rips the AU for being silent on the Freeze-Liberty controversy

Auburn head football coach Hugh Freeze has many skeletons in his closet from his past at Briarcrest Christian, Memphis, Ole Miss and Liberty — some of which have come to life and made his hiring on the Plains a public relations nightmare.

There was one controversy that went largely unnoticed until Jan. 27, when Liberty tight end Jerome Jackson took the court. Jackson was accused of stalking an ex-girlfriend who worked in the Flames’ athletic department.

Inside Higher Ed reporter Josh Moody put the story front and center Friday morning when he ripped Auburn University in a series of tweets for not commenting after being contacted:

Former Liberty University football player Jerome Jackson is in court today in Lynchburg to face stalking charges during the 2022 season. He didn’t miss any playing time under coach Hugh Freeze.

Neither @LibertyU or @AuburnU talks about it.

– Josh Moody (@byJoshMoody) January 27, 2023

I contacted Liberty to ask if they were aware of Jackson being accused of stalking and if LU took any disciplinary action. Liberty doesn’t respond. But Jackson played in every game of the 2022 season 🙁https://t.co/KQOVenepTm)

– Josh Moody (@byJoshMoody) January 27, 2023

I also reached out to Auburn to ask if they were aware of this stalking charge and if Freeze’s handling of the matter was factored into their review process. But Auburn is unwilling to answer my questions about Freeze or its review process.

– Josh Moody (@byJoshMoody) January 27, 2023

Critics of the Liberty football program and Hugh Freeze have also tried to start discussions about what happened at the Liberty under Freeze. But Auburn doesn’t want to have those conversations.

– Josh Moody (@byJoshMoody) January 27, 2023

Jackson is going to court. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty. But the incident raises a lot of tough questions about Hugh Freeze, Liberty and Auburn. Questions that no one answers.

– Josh Moody (@byJoshMoody) January 27, 2023

However, it should be noted that the verdict went in Jackson’s favor. Questions about what Freeze overlooked in his player conduct for the sake of competition at Liberty will certainly remain, given his infamous DMs with a sexual assault victim at LU.

Which would make Hugh Freeze the nemesis of Auburn football

Hugh Freeze has earned himself a lot of goodwill with his recruiting success, but his past risky behavior needs to be aired if he wants to avoid being the public enemy of Auburn football fans.

AU offers redemption to Freeze. If he blows it and has the behavior that warrants his hiring in November, he will lose a lot of Tiger fans who take the Auburn Creed seriously.