Liberty University, its founder Jerry Falwell, Sr., and its current president Jerry Falwell, Jr. have always been controversial.
When asked earlier this week if President Falwell presents challenges to the football program when recruiting, here is Liberty head football coach Hugh Freeze’s full and complete answer:
“I think every university has its challenges at times because of the perception somebody might have nationally or some way they’re different. My message has always simply been: ‘Come and see.’ Come and see the great things our leadership has done, led by President Falwell, who has been incredible to our program and to me personally, and get to know exactly.”
“A lot of times things are said and done, that in hindsight, I might say, ‘Man, I wish I would have said that differently or done that different or not done that.’ I think all of us are in that boat. We live in an environment today, where everybody’s opinion on whatever somebody else does, they can say it whether its true, not true, they can say it.”
“My message is simply always been come and see. In my talks with our players, the issue around race is real. We are committed to being very open and transparent with our players, and talking to them about any issue and how can we understand and how can we help. I’m thankful that we’ve been able to have those honest conversations with our kids. I’m thrilled that the feeling among our team is that they haven’t experienced anything but acceptance and grace here at Liberty University, and that starts with our leadership. That’s the message that we have – come get to know our people, not just what you read about them or see about them, but come get to know them.”
Under Freeze, Liberty football has seen its best recruiting classes in school history. Each of the past two recruiting classes have been the highest ranked, according to 247Sports, Liberty has ever seen. The 2020 class was ranked No. 95 nationally, marking the first time the Flames have cracked the top 100.
