LITTLE ROCK — Hours before Steve Roberts resigned as the head football coach at Arkansas State, offensive coordinator Hugh Freeze defended his boss and denied any speculation that he would be Roberts’ successor.
“Steve is a wonderful man and has done a wonderful job,” Freeze said Monday at the Little Rock Touchdown Club at the Embassy Suites hotel. “I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen. All I know is I have a 2:30 flight to Phoenix to find some receivers.”
Roberts leaves after nine years at ASU, posting a record of 45-63 overall and 32-32 in Sun Belt Conference games. His 1995 team won the Sun Belt Conference championship and lost to Southern Mississippi in the New Orleans Bowl.
“I know Arkansas State wants a winner and Steve has done a great job. He’s a great coach and a great citizen, and seven of his teams won the conference’s academic award. His teams always played tough out-of-conference schedules,” Freeze said.
Monday morning, Roberts did not participate in the weekly Sun Belt Conference’s teleconference after the Red Wolves lost 31-24 at Florida International on Saturday to finish the season at 4-8.
When asked about speculation that he’s going to be the next ASU coach, Freeze said,“I have no idea. That is the administration’s call. Until I hear otherwise, I’m going to continue with my job.”
In Freeze’s first year at ASU, the Red Wolves averaged 30 points per game, 403.4 yards per game (148 rushing and 254 passing)and had 262 first downs. Quarterback Ryan Aplin threw for 2,939 yards and 21 touchdowns and ran for 477 yards and 11 touchdowns. Wide receiver Dwayne Frampton caught 69 passes for 738 yards and 6 touchdowns. Three other players - Taylor Stockemer (34-560 yards, 5 touchdowns), Anthony Robinson (35-348-2) and Allen Muse (42-635-5) - caught at least 34 passes in the Spread offense.
“I’m not happy with the record, but I was pleased with the school records we set for total offense, points, passing and first downs,” Freeze said. “I thought we did a good job in our first year in this offense using a no-huddle, up-tempo approach. Those results were gratifying.
“Winning and losing is such a fine line. The only game we were out of was the Auburn game [a 52-26 loss in the season opener].”
Six of ASU’s losses were by 10 points or less.
Sports, Pages 21 on 11/30/2010