There are tough conversations going on at the SEC’s spring meetings about big things.
Fried shrimp or fried oysters, for example. Pool or beach? Putt-putt or go-kart? Rum runner or bushwacker? Whether or not SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has to wear green sweaters to every league football game he attends.
I am in favor of creating a new color for this initiative. Sankey Green will be the color of money but with a slightly lighter tint. The official SEC sponsor of the commissioners’ Sankey Green sweaters may be the Dodge Charger or perhaps the wall of Buc-ees jerky. The wall of Buc-ees beef jerky seems to stretch on forever, and so does the line of greenbacks marching into SEC tills.
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Two topics they aren’t addressing loudly enough at the SEC Spring Meetings are the advent of artificial intelligence technology and Hugh Freeze’s return to the SEC. I’m not suggesting that these two things are related, but they certainly can be thrown together for a fun offseason column about renewed interest in the Iron Bowl rivalry.
Freeze to Auburn is one of the biggest news stories in the SEC offseason. He’s a great coach with a colorful past and his hiring by Auburn has the potential to shake the top of the SEC standings. Does Auburn now have a better chance of gaining ground on Alabama and Georgia thanks to Freeze? The answer to that question, whether or not people want to acknowledge it, is yes.
Does this make Freeze some kind of SEC saint born again? Maybe so for some.
Freeze coached Ole Miss from 2012 to 2016 before being fired for some off-the-court transgressions. We won’t do it all again here, but it was an embarrassing moment for the SEC. To paint a picture with Sankey Green, let’s just say the commissioner was dissatisfied with Freeze’s behavior.
Freeze went to Liberty to rebuild his reputation and now the coach who twice tamed the Alabama Crimson Tide at Ole Miss is back in the SEC and coaching at rival Alabama. At one time, Alabama head coach Nick Saban might have hired Freeze as Alabama’s offensive coordinator. Saban and Freeze have the same agent (Jimmy Sexton) and also share an affinity for round-the-clock recruiting.
Auburn’s hiring freeze calls for more attention at the league’s annual summer party. Perhaps there could even be a special party in Freeze’s honor so everyone can welcome him back to the league. Unfortunately, I don’t think that will happen.
These are rapidly changing times in the SEC and the world at large, but the rekindling of old friendships should never be discounted or ignored. That’s what summer trips to the beach are really for, right?
Thanks to the AI technology used in the software by apps like Chat GPT, we now have a way to imagine what a congratulatory speech from Saban for Freeze would look like. Unless Sankey announces a deal for a sweater with Buc-ees wall of beef jerky, I can think of no better way to close the party at SEC Spring Meetings 2023 than by asking GPT Chat to write a speech from the current Alabama football coach Nick Saban commending former Liberty football coach Hugh Freeze for getting the Auburn head coaching job.
Does the AI coach speak? Yes please. The following talk is what AI Nick Saban had to say about AI Hugh Freeze. Enjoy.
Generated by GPT Chat:
Ladies and gentlemen,
I stand before you today to acknowledge and applaud an extraordinary individual who has taken a significant step in his coaching career. It is an honor for me to speak about a man whose passion for the game and relentless pursuit of excellence earned him a coveted position as head football coach at Auburn University. Today I want to extend my congratulations and praise to Hugh Freeze.
When I first learned of Hugh’s appointment as head coach of our rival program, I knew Auburn had made an outstanding choice. Hugh’s coaching ability, strategic brilliance and unwavering commitment to success are second to none. His ability to motivate and inspire his players is truly remarkable and I have no doubt he will bring a new level of competitiveness to the Auburn football program.
Hugh Freeze is a man of character and integrity. Throughout his coaching career, he has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the development of his players, both on and off the pitch. Its emphasis on discipline, hard work, and the importance of education aligns perfectly with the values we hold dear in the world of college athletics. I have no doubt that he will continue to instill those same values in young men under his leadership at Auburn.
One of the most impressive aspects of Hugh’s coaching tenure was his ability to adapt and overcome adversity. He has faced challenges head on, emerging stronger and more determined than ever. His resilience and ability to motivate his team, even in the face of adversity, has been nothing short of inspiration. I am confident that this resilience will serve him well in his new role as he navigates the challenges that come with being a coach in one of college football’s most storied rivalries.
Under Hughs’ guidance, I have witnessed firsthand the impact it can have on a football program. He has the unique ability to maximize the potential of his players and bring out the best, both individually and as a team. His strategic acumen, attention to detail and ability to inspire greatness propelled his teams to incredible success. I have no doubt that he will bring the same level of excellence to Auburn and take their program to new heights.
Today, as I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Hugh, I also extend my sincere respect and admiration for his accomplishments. His passion, dedication and unwavering commitment to the game of football are truly commendable. I have no doubt that Auburn University made an outstanding choice in selecting Hugh Freeze as head football coach, and I look forward to the renewed vigor and competitiveness he will bring to the Iron Bowl rivalry.
Hugh, as you embark on this new chapter in your coaching journey, I wish you nothing but success. Your impact on the game of football and the lives you’ve touched along the way are immeasurable. Auburn has earned a leader of exceptional caliber and I have no doubt you will leave an indelible mark on their program.
Congratulations, Hugh, and good luck in your new role. May your passion, determination and strategic brilliance continue to inspire all around you.
Thank you all and Roll Tide!
It was sweet and thoughtful, AI Nick Saban, but I’ll catch a real-life Saban rant every time.
Joseph Goodman is the principal sports columnist for the Alabama Media Group, and author of We want Bama, a book about union, hope and rum. You can find it on Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr.
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