It’s common practice for FBS head coaches to make adjustments to their staffs most years, and 2020 has been no exception for Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze.
Freeze has only had to make one adjustment his on-field coaching staff after Kyle Pope left Liberty after one season with the program under Freeze as linebackers coach. He went to Memphis as defensive line coach. Pope is putting together quite the impressive resume early in his career.
“We’re happy anytime anybody thinks they have an opportunity that’s best for them and their family,” Freeze said in a Wednesday press conference. “I’m for that. You hate it too, but you’re excited for people that think something is a good move for them in this profession, particularly young guys.”
When Pope made the decision to leave, Freeze immediately had his eyes on one candidate that he thought would be the ideal fit. After Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich left to become Washington State’s head coach, Hawaii’s defensive coordinator Corey Batoon became available.
“Anytime change happens, God has somebody else that He’s got ready to step in and I get excited about that,” Freeze stated. “We’re talking about a defensive coordinator that coordinated for a 10-win team this year at Hawaii. Corey is one of the most brilliant football minds I’ve ever been around. He is an incredible teacher. He’s not real emotional. He’s just very level. He is even-keeled and one of he best evaluators of talent I’ve ever been around.”
Batoon has been with Freeze before at both Arkansas State and Ole Miss. He will coach the safeties while defensive coordinator Scott Symons moves from the safeties to the linebackers. Freeze now has three defensive assistants with coordinator experience on his staff in Symons, Batoon, and defensive line coach Josh Aldridge.
Darry Marshall
In off the field roles, Freeze has also made several changes including bringing in SJ Tuohy, the brother of former Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Michael Oher and of the movie “The Blindside” fame, as Assistant Athletic Director of Football Operations. He will work alongside Paul Rutigliano, Assistant Athletic Director – Director of Business Operations & NFL Liaison.
Freeze’s Chief of Staff Jim Nichols has been promoted into a development role with Liberty University as Vice President of University and Athletic Development. In his new role, Nichols will oversee the Flames Club and University Development.
Replacing Nichols as Chief of Staff is Darry Marshall who served in a defensive quality control position in 2019. Marshall gave Freeze his first break into coach at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis.
Additionally, Freeze has promoted Eric Ponio from a graduate assistant role to quality control on defense in Marshall’s spot. Vontrell Williams has also been hired as a graduate assistant on the defensive line. Freeze says he’s still looking to hire an additional graduate assistant.
“I like taking care of our people when I get an opportunity to do that for people that have a done a good job and he has,” Freeze said of Ponio.
