Rebel Nation Sept/Oct 2014

Also Inside: Jill Freeze, Wesley Walls, A Look Back at the Rebels College World Series Run...and More!

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What’s Next in the November/December Issue?

2014-15 Rebel Men’s & Women’s Hoops Preview, The Egg Bowl, and so much More!

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LINEUP

VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 2• SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

COMMENTARY 12 REBEL REPORT: BRAD LOGAN

I’ll Never Forget That Day 13 THE GROVE:

SCOTT JACKSON

A Fall Pilgrimage 48 RED SOLO CUP:

BOB LYNCH

Established Brand

FEATURES 14 REBEL Q&A:

DEXTER MCCLUSTER 16 TENNESSEE’S TITANIC TURNAROUND

Ole Miss Alum and Titans General Manager Ruston Webster

18 NEW ATTITUDE

Ole Miss is taking winning seriously in all sports with new hires

22 #OLEMAHA

A look back at the Amazing 2014 Ole Miss Baseball Season

30 REBEL SPOTLIGHT:

INSIDE THE LANDSHARK DEFENSE 32 REBEL SPOTLIGHT

Senior Vince Sanders looks to shine in 2014

42 REBEL LEGEND:

WESLEY WALLS 46 HE’S THE MAN

Ole Miss pole vaulter Sam Kendricks is on top of the world as he brings home consecutive National Championships

Photo by Greg Pevey

THE NEXT BIG THING:

Sophomore WR Laquon Treadwell is focusing in on another breakout season as he will be counted on to fill the role of departed Donte Moncrief.

<<<<<

COVER STORY

NEVER QUIT!

25 Years Later, Remembering #38: Chucky’s Enduring Impact on Rebel Nation

- Page 34

SPECIAL FEATURE

JILL FREEZE

Behind Every Great Man is a Great Woman

- Page 38

WE ARE OLE MISS

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 - 11

REBEL REPORT

Follow Brad Logan on Twitter @BradLoganCOTE

BRAD LOGAN

I’ll Never Forget That Day

H

is name was Roy Lee Mullins. We simply race relations and the proactive approach and stance that know him as “Chucky”. As I read the news Ole Miss is taking. I understand positions within the Univerrelease from the University of Mississippi on sity will be created to aid in this process. I fully support this, renaming Coliseum Drive in honor of Chucky, anytime the University is being proactive. Essentially the I immediately thought of my grandfather. release pointed out that using “The University of MissisLooking down upon us, my grandfather is sippi” when concerning academics, would be better suited. smiling, as he should be.

The term “Ole Miss” will be geared more toward athletics.

Chucky, as many of you know, grew up in nearby RussellThis decision by Chancellor Dan Jones is one I believe will ville, Ala. He chose to play football at Ole Miss because that only enhance the brand throughout the state of Mississippi was the only school that gave him the opportunity. Money? and all points throughout the world.

He had very little. Family? He had caregivers and what a Let’s be honest, a person in the northwest not associwonderful job they would do. Love, compassion, pride, ated with athletics probably would not recognize what Ole respect and dignity? There aren’t enough Miss is but would recognize the University words to type how much he had. of Mississippi. Again, a great move by all Chucky Mullins is the epitome of what My grandfather reached parties, but I’m not sure all fans understand Ole Miss is and should strive to be. this move or its context. in his pocket and This fall it will be 25-years. That warm Director of Athletics Ross Bjork has grabbed more cash than made it emphatically clear the name “Ole Saturday, I sat in Section H, Row 12, Seat 4 and watched my life change. After the hit I have ever seen and Miss” and “Rebels” is not going anywhere was administered, I watched them remove regards to athletics. I’m not sure it can be dropped it in the bucket. in the facemask. My dad clinched my hand any clearer.

He was emotional. and winced. “It’s bad.” he told me. “Why As for the University of Mississippi, I have dad? How do you know?” I asked. “I just do “Papaw, that is a lot of a solution. Rather than pen releases and son,“ he said shaking his head. My father circle focus groups, let’s talk to our own. money,” I said. With a big Let’s embrace one another, regardless of all was a high school football coach. After the previous Friday night games, no matter if it smile, he looked down at of the proverbial obstacles. was a win or a loss and on very little sleep, me and said, “One day Brad Gaines, the Vanderbilt fullback that he took me to games. He knew I loved colwas involved with the Mullins accident, you’ll understand. I love was decimated. Per the instruction of his lege football. Off to the stadium we would go. This was a trip that would never be the coaches and teammates, he was told not to you, son.” same. It shook us both. visit Chucky in the hospital.

After play resumed, you could feel the He didn’t listen. tension. A few minutes later, you heard the helicopter.

When, he got to the hospital, he was surrounded by Ole People were looking at it. Many were weeping. To this day, Miss family and friends. He went to Chucky’s room. He I think of that moment when I hear the propellers of a didn’t know what to say. helicopter in the air.

He was speechless.

A few weeks later, my grandfather took me to another Chucky wasn’t. home game. He has long since passed away, but I rememGaines leaned down and Chucky quietly spoke the words, ber when they were passing buckets around to donate to “It’s not your fault.”

Chucky who wasn’t doing well. The bills were mounting and Simply pure, unadulterated courage. he was struggling. My grandfather reached in his pocket A young man who had no material things in money, cars and grabbed more cash than I have ever seen and dropped or clothes had more integrity and heart than most people it in the bucket. He was emotional. “Papaw, that is a lot of could fathom. money,” I said. With a big smile, he looked down at me and To Chucky, color didn’t matter. said, “One day you’ll understand. I love you, son.”

This is what my grandfather was referring to. Love After learning that Chucky would be honored by having always wins. a street named for him, I understood what my grandfather Just as Ole Miss is continuing to do, my solution is to meant. Never mind the street designation or the bust the honor one of the greatest people to wear the uniform. players touch on game day or his number that is awarded He led Ole Miss in 1989 and as we sit in 2014, he is more each year to the top player, he means so much more to this prevalent than he was then.

University.

Chucky Mullins is the perfect example of what Ole Miss I recently read another release from the University of should strive to be. - RN Mississippi about what to expect in the future, in regards to

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TAILGATING

Follow Colony Wine Market on Twitter @ColonyWineMKT

SCOTT JACKSON

A Fall Pilgrimage

W

ell, the wait is finally over. Soon the masses of Rebel faithful will pull out their picnic supplies, dust off their tents (I wish they were only allowed in the Grove when there is a chance of rain), and start planning their annual pilgrimage onto that hallowed ground that has hosted so many reunions, kids’ football games, victory celebrations and consolations from hard loss. The Grove is more than a picturesque landscape on a beautiful college campus. Every time I see it, empty even, a wealth of memories going back to my days as a student flood over me, oftentimes inducing chill bumps.

But, I’m just preaching to the choir here.

That happens to all of us, right? Let’s get down to why you’re here reading this.

You’re soon going to be ready to get your game face on, and you want the skinny on what beverages will best help you accomplish that while impressing everyone at your tailgate with your cutting-edge knowledge of wine and spirits, right? Fear not, my fellow Rebels. I taste well over a thousand different wines and spirits each year in order to make purchasing decisions for our business. (I know, I know. But, it’s tougher than you might think!) So, buckle your chinstrap and we’ll get you ready for The Grove in 2014!

Since whiskey and football go together like Fred and Ginger, the first thing you should know is that, yes, there is a whiskey shortage. And it’s world-wide. Why, you ask? Well, demand is up significantly, but especially in the premium and ultra-premium categories. Very simply, the whiskey you’re drinking today was probably distilled somewhere between 6 and 23 years ago. Back then, they didn’t anticipate the demand for these pricier bottlings. We see it happening in every traditional categoryBourbon, Scotch and Irish–and even some nouveau categories like Japanese and American whiskeys that aren’t Bourbon.

The good news is that the craft whiskey industry in America is booming and seemingly every week a really good new whiskey

comes across my palate. Many of these producers understand how to age whiskey more quickly by using small barrels or barriques. So, if the consumer is willing to step out of the box, there are lots of great American whiskies out there to drink and enjoy. And many of them are better suited for cocktails than is Bourbon.

As much as I enjoy a good whiskey with my football, I still prefer to drink wine with food. And although it’s in-vogue for sommeliers around the country to experiment with pairing beer and spirits with food today, no other beverage on the planet pairs better with food than wine. So before I fill my plate with tailgate delights, I will reach under the table for a good bottle of wine.

Never before have there been so many good wines under $20 available to the American consumer. Just remember that small-production wines are best. A good rule to follow is that if it’s advertised, it’s probably not very good. Below, we’ve listed some of our favorite food-friendly Grove wines.

If beer is your thing, I urge you to try one of the many beers being made in the Magnolia state. Since the European grape varieties that make fine wine will not grow in the Southeast and Cathead Distillery’s whiskey is still aging in barrel, I believe that our state may make its name with beer in the near future. There are a number of really good beers being made here. Chris Clark, managing partner and sommelier at The Pig & Pint in Jackson’s Fondren district says some of his best and most popular beers among the more than one hundred they offer are produced by Mississippi brewers like Lucky Town, Southern Prohibition, Crooked Letter, Yalubusha, and Lazy Magnolia. I’ve had most of the beers produced here and there are excellent examples of beer from

many categories to wash down your preand post-game meal.

The 2014 Ole Miss football season is here! Enjoy it responsibly. But, enjoy it! It will be over before you know it.

Grove Cocktails Red, Rye and Blue 2 oz. Koval White Rye Whiskey 2 strawberries or 4 raspberries, muddled 8 blueberries, muddled ½ oz. simple syrup ½ oz. lemon juice Splash of tonic water Fill with ice, top with tonic water, and stir.

The Deuce 1.5 oz. of a good, young Bourbon (e.g. Four Roses, Bulleit, Koval) ½ oz. coffee liqueur 2-3 dashes of cherry bitters Stir and serve neat or over ice *These are original cocktails created by the staff at Colony Wine Market, Madison, MS Recommended Whiskey Producers Four Roses Koval Jefferson’s Michter’s Bulleit W. L. Weller Elmer T. Lee Buffalo Trace Recommended Wine Producers Line 39 Castle Rock Hedges Pedroncelli La Vielle Ferme A to Z Wineworks Cono Sur The Curator For more information on tailgating ideas, please contact me at colonywinemarket@gmail.com.

–Scott Jackson is Managing Partner of Colony Wine Market in Madison, MS, an Ole Miss Alumnus, and has always believed the Rebs will return to glory!

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 - 13

REBEL Q&A

Follow John Davis on Twitter @OxfordCitizenJD

NFL Pro-Bowler Dexter McCluster

Former Rebel great talks about his move from Kansas City to the Tennessee Titans, his 2013 Pro-Bowl season, Coach Hugh Freeze and more.

By John Davis

Contributing Writer - Oxford Citizen John Davis: How excited are you to be a Tennessee Titan? You’ve got to be on another level, right?

Dexter McCluster: Going from Ole Miss and that atmosphere and coming back to the same type of atmosphere, being three hours away, you get that same feeling, the hospitality.

You get the same feeling that I got when I was at Ole Miss. It’s amazing how many fans recognize me already just from my Ole Miss days. Everything has just fallen into place for me. That’s how I know it’s going to be a good run around here.

JD: There is a different buzz about this year’s Titans team and I think part of it is because of you and Michael Oher joining the roster. Is that kind of how you feel?

DM: Yeah, I think we bring a different dynamic to the team. I’ve met the guys now and they’re a great set of guys, and workers. Just the background that Michael Oher had, the relationships that he has, and the type of guy he is, just to bring me back into the equation and have us together again, it just brings back the excitement. It gets everybody hyped up like you know it’s something special.

JD: You were well received in Kansas City and I know that fan base is very rabid and it sells out at one of the NFL’s biggest stadiums. Was it tough to leave Kansas City?

DM: It was definitely tough. That’s all I knew, Kansas City. I was around a great group of guys.

I met a bunch of guys that I will be friends with the rest of my life. It was tough and they did what they could to try and keep me there and keep things going. At the end of the day, I have a family and I have to do what is best for myself and my family. When Tennessee came around, I said ‘You know what? This is the right thing.’ I’m back close to where I played my college days and just the type of guy that I am, I can fit in well here, on and off the field.

JD: And it was a better deal for you right? More lucrative thing for you to come to Tennessee and not just come back and be closer to home?

DM: Right, definitely. Everybody goes to work to get paid. It doesn’t matter if you’re a construction worker or a football player. You go to work to get paid and your hard work has to pay off and in this case it did. I wanted to go somewhere

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Photo by Greg Pevey, Rebel Nation Magazine™

that I would also be happy, not just for the money. I wanted to go somewhere I can make a difference. That’s what helped me make my decision.

JD: It seemed like the Titans really want to have Ole Miss guys, GM Ruston Webster, wanted Ole Miss guys and guys that could help the team off the field as well. Do you feel like they wanted you to be that leader, and dynamic playmaker on the field all at the same time?

DM: I definitely got that feel from them. When I came and I met the whole staff and met the people I would be working with and I signed the contract, one thing they said was we need that spark plug. And they said that I was the type of guy, on the field, that can make some things happen. They said that they needed me right now, right away. That right there alone let me know that they were serious about it and that they saw something in me that maybe a lot of people don’t see. I’m glad that they see the

(Above) Against Tennessee in 2009, McCluster set an Ole Miss rushing record gaining 282 yards on 25 attempts and scored four touchdowns on the day.

playmaking abilities that I have, and also, what I can bring to the team off the field. My character off the field or the friendships that I can make, just to be able to gather more of a fan base and just make the Tennessee Titans that much more dynamic.

JD: Do you see yourself doing what Chris Johnson did? Or is it going to be a more expanded role of what you did at Kansas City?

DM: I think it’s going to be expanded, definitely.

I’ve been focusing in on running back, that’s my natural job, that’s what I’m good at, and they see that. They’re going to give me an opportunity to do that. But they’re not going to limit me.

They’re going to let me do the things that I’ve been doing. That’s the good thing about this. I can say that they can put me anywhere and I can

still be the same type of playmaker so to speak. I think the opportunity is going to be better for me here. It’s going to be fun.

JD: Do you still play with a chip on your shoulder? You have always been a guy that has wanted to prove people wrong, running the ball especially. I don’t think there were a lot of people that thought you couldn’t carry the ball as many times as you did. Do you still play that way and do you feel like you have proven a lot of people wrong?

and say ‘Hey, you’re a hell of an athlete.’ It’s just fun to hear when I get on the field ‘Hey, 22 is in the game, it’s Dexter, it’s McCluster.’ It shows that you know what? Size goes out the window. When you get on the field, it’s an immediate impact. That’s a blessing in itself.

happened, that was my welcome to the NFL.

JD: What is the best moment for you in your career? I remember a rainy night out in Oakland where you had a punt return for a touchdown and how dramatic of a moment it was. Is that the top one?

JD: So is that your new favorite stadium then? Did you enjoy when you came last year?

DM: It is my favorite right now.

Going back a year, I would say Oakland. When I say Oakland, people say it’s old and broken down. I say that because of the fans. They’re right there on you.

They come with a lot. They’re throwing things at you. They are yelling your name, everything.

That atmosphere makes it fun. It’s good to have them on your back, that you know they’re there, wanting you to fail. You know they’re going to bring it, on the field, and in the stadium.

Photo courtesy Kansas City Chiefs

McCluster made his first NFL Pro-Bowl appearance after his 2013 season with the Kansas City Chiefs.

DM: I think the reason that I’ve made it so far, that I made it here (to Nashville) is because I never let that chip go. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have that chip. My mindset is, ‘You know what? You say I can’t do it, but I’m going to show you I can do it and do it better than you ever thought I could do it.’ Playing with that attitude and knowing that in some people’s eyes, I’m the smallest guy out there, but in my eyes, I feel the same size as everybody else. I think that one fact alone is something I kept in me and I think it’s going to propel me to who I’m going to be.

JD: Did opponents come up to you after the game, when you were in Kansas City, and say that you really impressed them now that they have played you in person?

DM: Not only the players, but the coaches do. They come up to me

DM: It was actually in Kansas City against the San Diego Chargers, but it was raining and it was my first punt return. It was the most special to me and I say that because that was my first career NFL game, my first game playing in Arrowhead Stadium, my first punt return in Arrowhead Stadium and my first touchdown. I had a lot of firsts in that moment. I was 21, 22 years old and just the nervousness. It was raining and I hear the coach whisper ‘Hey, I want to see McCluster return a punt.’ I just kept saying to myself ‘Catch the ball, catch the ball.’ Once I caught it, I had some room and I made one guy miss and the rest is history. That was definitely my top moment. Just as nervous as I was, my family and friends were just as nervous watching on TV. Just to know that they were jumping up and down for me, that this just

JD: What is the best stadium you have played in? Have you played in Tennessee (LP Field) before?

DM: We played in Tennessee last year.

JD: Is there a stadium where you go ‘This is a lot nicer than another one?’ Or is there a stadium that an NFL fan has got to go to, a place where you feel the atmosphere more than anywhere else?

DM: The Seattle Seahawks. That stadium, I think they hold the record now, again. I think Kansas City broke it and then they got it back as being the loudest stadium in the world, I guess. Just playing there, it’s just so loud. You have to be there as a player and you have to be there as a fan. You feel football season when you’re in there.

This is a stadium that you want to play in, a stadium you want to win in. It’s definitely one of the top stadiums you have to be in to see

what I’m talking about.

JD: Hugh Freeze. You saw him when he was an assistant coach under (Ed) Orgeron. Did you know back then when you were a younger player that he could be the head coach he has become so far?

DM: You know what, coming in with that coaching staff, I was so young, so nervous. It was hard to get a pinpoint on anybody. I was doing my best to try and not mess up and get on the field. He was always a nice guy, a cool guy.

When he went over to Arkansas State before he got to Ole Miss, I watched him and I kept up with him. I watched interviews and I saw how he got his teams to believe and get behind him. When he got back to Ole Miss, I said I was going to keep an eye on him and see what type of guy he is. He has an unbelievable way of getting his guys to believe. Even if they don’t want to, they have no choice but to believe because the method he uses, that team-player coach, he always motivates. I think that’s the key. I’m definitely rooting for him at Ole Miss.

JD: What are your thoughts on this Ole Miss team? I know you keep up with them, so what can they do?

DM: I’m going to go out on a limb and say they’re going to get at least nine wins. I think you saw glimpses of them the past two years that they can have a great year. I think that the kids, it takes a special focus. They need to focus on football and follow that leader that they have and find out who the leaders are on the team. Bring them together and just rally. - RN

MCCLUSTER

BY THE NUMBERS

>>>>>

Dexter McCluster (5-8, 170) was selected to the Pro Bowl as a punt returner. In 2013, he returned 57 punts for 654 yards (11.5 avg.) with two touchdowns. His 654 punt return yards rank first in franchise history and his 57 punt returns were the second-highest single-season total in club annals. McCluster set a single-season team record with 177 punt return yards at Washington, including a 74-yard touchdown return. His other return score in 2013 was an 89-yard runback vs. the New York Giants on Sept. 29. In addition to his return duties, McCluster played a critical role on the club’s offense, catching 47 passes for 449 yards and two touchdowns.

The Largo, Fla., native’s career numbers include 78 punt returns for 927 yards (11.9 avg.) with three touchdowns. His longest return was a 94-yard touchdown run vs. San Diego (9/13/10) in his first-career NFL game. The Ole Miss product joined the Chiefs as the first of two second-round picks (36th overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 - 15

SCORECARD

Follow John Davis on Twitter @OxfordCitizenJD

By JOHN DAVIS

Contributing Writer - The Oxford Citizen Photos Courtesy Tennessee Titans

Tennessee’s Titanic Turnaround As GM of the Tennessee Titans, Ole Miss alum Ruston Webster is working hard to return the franchise to the top of the AFC with the help of a few former Rebels

F

ootball has always been in the heart of Ruston Webster, the Tennessee Titans Executive Vice President and General Manager.

Growing up in Madison, Webster felt like football helped shape who he was and now, after 29 years of working as either a coach or executive, the sport defines his daily life.

“To me, football is the ultimate team game.

It’s different than all the other sports,” Webster said. “I don’t think any of the other sports match the teamwork that has to occur in order for a football team to execute one play, much less win a game. I think that’s the beauty of it. That’s what we’re trying to make sure we get through to everybody here. We want them

16 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

to understand just how important the team is and just how important it is to have everybody’s back and that they’re on the same page and that the players know what they’re supposed to do. In this game, that’s the only way you can win consistently.”

Webster graduated from Ole Miss before he started his career in football as a graduate assistant at Southwest Louisiana, which has now been changed to Louisiana-Lafayette, in 1985.

“My parents didn’t go there, but I just gravitated to Ole Miss. I had friends that took me there for games in the fall and those kinds of things. It was a natural place, an easy place to choose and I’m glad I did it,” said Webster, adding he keeps up with Ole Miss on the field as much as possible. “I don’t get down (to Ox-

ford) enough just because it’s difficult for me during the season. I’ve been down recently enough to see the facility and how much it’s changed, an unbelievable amount. They are great facilities, not only in the athletic part of the school, but also on campus. The buildings and the way campus looks … Ole Miss has always been a beautiful place, but they’ve done a great job of improving the facilities and football wise, there really is nothing that they lack. That’s got to be a great recruiting tool for them. My family gets to go down for a game or two each year, but it’s just to difficult for me right now.”

There are a number of ties between the Titans and Ole Miss, especially now that Dexter McCluster and Michael Oher have been added to the roster. Former Rebel center Chris Spencer is also on the roster, while another former Ole Miss offensive lineman, Tre Stallings, is the Director of Player Engagement.

McCluster came to the Music City from the Kansas City Chiefs, while Oher came from the Baltimore Ravens.

“We’re definitely excited about them. Those two guys fit what we were looking for positionally and the type of guys that we wanted off the field,” Webster said. “We have a new coach in Ken Wisenhunt and there was a role there for Dexter and we felt like he could help us. We struggled a little bit at times in our return game last year and Dexter obvi-

Former Rebels (Top) Michael Oher, (Middle) Dexter McCluster and (Bottom) Chris Spencer will each play a key roll in the Titans success in 2014.

ously gives us a threat there, as well as on offense. Our starting right tackle, David Stewart, retired and we had that open spot there. It was easy to sign Michael and he’s been great as well. Both have been really great additions, off the field, and in terms of their work ethic and the way they go about things. They’re pros.”

Because he is a Rebel, Webster admitted he keeps up with those that are graduating, or leaving

early, in the attempt to draft or sign them.

“I feel like I have a pretty good handle on the Ole Miss guys and I do follow the Rebels. I want them to do well,” Webster said.

“I was scouting at the Tennessee game (in 2009) that Dexter had the big game rushing. That never left me. I’m definitely aware of all the guys that come out of Ole Miss, whether it’s a high-profile player or someone that might be a college free agent.”

There is an increased buzz surrounding the Titans this year.

Wisenhunt, the former head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, being hired is part of it, but the addition of Oher, who is from Memphis and has the backstory everyone is familiar with, and McCluster are big reasons for increased expectations as well.

“Our offensive line is something we want to get right and take pride in and Michael has been a big part of that,” Webster said. “I think they are a reason for it. I think there are several reasons, but I think that we have a big Ole Miss following here in Nashville. I just think what is typical for us, the SEC players in general, create a buzz. Those are the guys in this part of the country that people want to see the most. It’s definitely been helpful in creating that buzz.”

Webster started his career in the NFL as a regional scout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1988. He was with Tampa through some tough years, but in 2002, when the Bucs won the Super Bowl, he was the Director of College Scouting, so he was a big reason why that title came about.

“I learned the most when I was in Tampa and being around those people there. Rich McKay, who is in Atlanta now, was our general manager. Jerry Angelo, who was the general manager of the Bears, was our player personnel director and Tim Ruskell, who was our college scouting director at the time, went on to be the president of the Seahawks,” Webster said. “I had a lot of good people around me and that’s not to mention being around Tony Dungy, John Gruden and Mike Holmgren, great coaches who were really good leaders. I think all of that,

all of those guys, has helped me.

You also learn from any mistakes that you make. I’ve been around a lot of good people. When I was in Tampa, seven of us ended up being GMs.” The hours are long and grueling for Webster, who said his down time, to really spend a large amount of time with his family, is June through mid July.

“It’s early and late when football season is going on,” Webster said about the amount he works during the week when the season is in full swing. “I’m able to get to games on Friday nights and things like that. It can be fairly intense, especially on Sundays.

All my family understands and they’ve been through it, moving around, and they’ve been great about it. I’m fortunate.”

Working long hours is actually not the worst part of the job for Webster, who felt like there were more pros than cons.

“The best parts of the job are the players that your draft or sign that do well. Winning, obviously.

When you’re winning, everything feels good and things are going well,” Webster said. “The tough parts of the job are the decisions you have to make. Whether that’s making a decision to let somebody go that’s been around your organization for a while or it’s letting a player go. The worst day for me is cut down day, when I have to talk to a player and tell them that we’re not going to keep them on the team.

“That is, without question, my worst day of the year,” Webster continued. “The consistent decisions that you have to make on a daily basis, the hard decisions that you have to make that affect people’s lives, that’s probably the part that people underestimate the most. I love the job, I love the puzzle of putting together a team.

And then seeing a player develop into a very good NFL player and have a long career, those type of things are the ones that really give you some satisfaction.”

After spending 18 years with the Bucs, Webster left to be Seattle’s Vice President of Player Personnel, which meant he was in charge of the day-to-day management of the pro personnel and the college scouting department.

In short, Webster was in charge of putting together even more puzzles and plans than ever before.

“I’ve always been gravitated to it. I feel like I have a good understanding of the game and what it takes to win. I’ve been around teams that have won Super Bowls and division championships and gone deep into the playoffs, so I feel like I have a good feel there,” Webster said. “I think I’ve grown as I’ve been in the league. I’ve been in the league for a long time now, and I think I’ve learned those things as I’ve gone along now. I think the thing that you take into any job is passion. I’ve always had the passion for it.”

The Titans hired Webster away from Seattle in 2010. His first two years, Webster was the VP of Player Personnel before adding GM to his title. Bigger things are expected from the Titans this year, and Webster has helped create that optimism.

“I believe there is that feeling.

There is a lot of good chemistry out there now. We hired a new coach in Ken Wisenhunt who has been to Super Bowls and won.

He’s got a great plan and I really like our staff that we have in place. It’s blended well together,” Webster said. “I feel like there is a lot of optimism right now and a lot of good camaraderie and chemistry with our team that we will continue to try and build through training camp. It’s a process. An NFL season is 20 games including preseason and that doesn’t include the playoffs. It’s a grind and it’s a process throughout the year.”

As for where he lives now compared to Tampa and Seattle, the move has been great for his family.

“Nashville has got the best of all worlds really. I would think if you’re single, it’s a good place.

If you’re married with kids, it’s a good place. And in 20 or 30 minutes, you can feel like you’re in the country,” Webster said. “I’ve lived several places throughout my time in football, three different NFL cities, and all have been good, but Nashville is probably the easiest place I’ve had to live.

Close to home. Close to family and when you work as much as we do, that’s all positive.” - RN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 - 17

REBEL NOTES

Follow John Davis on Twitter @OxfordCitizenJD

NEW ATTITUDE

Ole Miss is taking winning seriously, in all sports, with recent hires

By JOHN DAVIS

Contributing Writer - The Oxford Citizen Photos courtesy Ole Miss Media Relations

S

o much for a slow summer in Oxford. Not only did Ole Miss’ baseball team advance to the College World Series for the first time since 1972, there were two new head coaches added.

They include Mike Smith (softball) and Chris Malloy (men’s golf).

There were technically four new hires made since the start of 2014. Steven McRoberts was hired Jan. 16 to lead the volleyball team, while Toby Hansson took over for Billy Chadwick as the men’s tennis coach. Hansson was Chadwick’s top assistant coach and the move was announced before the start of the 2014 season, but Hansson is new, regardless of how you look at it.

Smith was hired in late May, while Malloy, a former Ole Miss golfer, was hired June 16 away from South Florida where he was the 2013 Big East Coach of the Year.

The new hires come as Ole Miss’ football team is expected to take another step under coach Hugh Freeze and the athletic department continues to add facilities, and expectations, in all sports. Ole Miss Athletics Director Ross Bjork has had his hand in all the hires, and each got his stamp of approval.

“Chris Malloy is the perfect coach to lead our program and put us into a competitive position to win championships,” Bjork said. “As an Ole Miss student-athlete and alumnus, he possesses the highest of qualities we sought in our new coach. His

18 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

energy and tenacity in recruiting, player development and fundraising will provide us with the proper ingredients for success in the SEC and on the national stage. It is always a special time when we can welcome back one of our own to Oxford.”

Malloy led USF to back-to-back trips to the NCAAs, something Bjork is hoping he does at Ole Miss. Prior to his time at USF, Malloy helped Florida State win an ACC title in 2008.

Anyone that has ever been to Oxford knows it’s a truly special place. There is no other college town like it in the country,” Malloy said when he was hired. “However, as much as this may have pulled on my heartstrings, I am not returning to Ole Miss because it’s my alma mater; I am returning to win a national championship.

This is an opportunity of a lifetime for me and my family, and I am extremely excited to return home and win a national championship as a Rebel.”

Talk of wanting to win championships has remained constant with each of the new hires, even if all three have talked about it a little bit differently.

Smith has the toughest job of making Ole Miss relevant in softball. Unlike the men’s golf team, which had been to the NCAAs under former coach Earnest Ross, the softball team has yet to play in the SEC Tournament, let alone make it the NCAA Tournament. Last year the Rebels were just 3-21 in the SEC. Smith, a former pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals’ organization, comes to Oxford from McNeese State of the Southland Conference where he was used to playing in the NCAAs. He called coaching in the SEC being “called up to the big leagues”

Mike Smith - Softball

Chris Malloy - Men’s Golf in early July. Smith said the history of the program didn’t matter to him.

“I felt that over the course of my career, that I have a pretty good blueprint on what I would like to do and the success that I’ve been able to have,” said Smith, who has posted three straight 30-win seasons. “My teams have had success because they’ve bought into that blueprint, that structure, that process in order to get there. The resources are here in Oxford and at Ole Miss. It’s now about developing the talent to get to where you want to go. I think that’s the most important thing. You can have the most talent in the world, but it’s being able to develop them to play under your type of system and your staff ’s system in order for them to be successful.”

Several of Smith’s teams, he admitted,

Steven McRoberts - Volleyball

Toby Hanson - Men’s Tennis

haven’t always been the most talented teams, but he felt like the talent was always developed.

“Me and my staff have been successful in getting these players to believe in each other because that’s what it takes,” Smith said. “It takes great team chemistry for players to believe that with two outs and nobody on in the seventh inning,

down two runs, that we’re going to win a ballgame. And they’ve got to have the belief that I have the confidence in number 20 on the team versus the number one player on the team. I think that’s part of the process, too.”

Volleyball has been up and down at Ole Miss over the years. Joe Getzin, the former head coach, had led the Rebels to

the NCAA Tournament — Ole Miss made the field in 2006 and 2007 and then again in 2010 — but the program had grown stagnant. McRoberts comes to Oxford with a great winning percentage. At Tulsa, he was 78-24 and won two Conference USA titles. In 2013, Tulsa was 24-7 and McRoberts led the school to three NCAA Tournaments. He had a vision to achieve the same thing at Ole Miss.

“Our goals are to make Ole Miss competitive in the top half of the Southeastern Conference and to qualify for the NCAA Tournament,” McRoberts said.

“There are some talented players here, and it’s our job to come in here and train them and get the most out of them that we can.”

The volleyball team traveled to Italy during the summer and coming out of the spring, McRoberts was upbeat about where his team was from a learning standpoint.

“From a mental standpoint, all of them are trying to do what we’re asking them to do. Part of the process of change is that you don’t have a lot of success, so many of them had to fight through that mentally,” McRoberts said. “Everybody at the end of the spring started to get on the same page.

We are heading in the right direction.” - RN

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20 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

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A look back at the Amazing 2014 Ole Miss Baseball Season SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 - 21

REBEL BASEBALL t long last they made it. The Ole Miss Rebels made it to the College World Series for the fifth time in the program’s long and glorious history. But it was the first time under Mike Bianco in his 14 years as head coach in Oxford.

A

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

By JEFF ROBERSON Contributing Writer The Ole Miss Spirit

Photos by Angie Ledbetter for Rebel Nation Magazine™

22 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

>

Ole Miss had been a regular in Omaha, Neb., the site of the College World Series, throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and into the 1970s. But that’s when things suddenly came to a grind-

ing halt.

In 1972, Ole Miss made its last appearance in college baseball’s version of the Elite Eight. Until 2014, that is.

Those 2014 Rebels finished the season back in late June tied with the Texas Longhorns for third place at the CWS, both completing their seasons as a part of the Final Four. The tie for third place was the best finish in Ole Miss baseball history, the same as the 1956 Rebels who had also finished tied for third.

Tim Corbin’s Vanderbilt Commodores won it all, while Brian O’Connor’s Virginia Cavaliers finished second.

Both those men had taken teams to Omaha as head coaches in the recent past.

Texas is still led by legendary coach Augie Garrido, who is arguably as familiar with

the College World Series as anyone who has ever coached the game at that level.

Then there is Mike Bianco, the Rebels’ head coach, hired in the summer of 2000 to lift the program, which he and his staff had done for 13 seasons. They’d appeared in 11 NCAA Tournaments prior to the 2014 run, had hosted five NCAA Regionals, and three NCAA Super Regionals. They’d even played one NCAA Super Regional on the road.

But they had not gotten to that Sweet Sixteen level since 2009. They had not hosted since 2009. And Omaha remained a distant locale they had yet to reach.

Then came 2014.

Bianco, making his first trip to the College World Series since he was an assistant coach at LSU in 1997, said a sense of relief isn’t the best way to assess his feelings on his team’s run to the last four standing this past June.

“I’m proud and happy for the staff and the players. I’m really happy for the administration and this university that made a commitment to hire me 14 years ago. I’m especially happy for the fans,” he said. “On an off day in Omaha we go eat, and there

“When I say we deserved to go, I don’t just mean the coaches and the players,” he said. “I certainly mean them. But this university, these fans, we deserve that trip. Happy would be the best emotion I could use.” – Mike Bianco are so many Ole Miss fans there. You could feel that support.”

It was what everyone associated with Ole Miss, from those who care deeply about baseball to those who simply check the scores each day, had been dreaming of and hoping for since the final year of the first Nixon administration in Washington, D.C. Yes, it had been that long since the Rebels were there.

Bianco said everyone from Ole Miss “deserved” to be a part of the College World Series.

“When I say we deserved to go, I don’t SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 - 23

MIKE BIANCO

“Coach (Bianco) is a master of the mental game and keeping the guys focused on the present. This team, more than any other team I’ve ever been around, bought into that.

– Ben Fleming, Assistant Coordinator of Strength & Conditioning

just mean the coaches and the players,” he said. “I certainly mean them. But this university, these fans, we deserve that trip. Happy would be the best emotion I could use.”

So how will making it to college baseball’s biggest stage help the program even more? Or will it?

“Nobody can really answer that,” Bianco said. “Certainly the visibility is tremendous for our baseball program and our university.

The College World Series is quite a spectacle now. I thought it was the times I went and the last time in ’97. But it’s a lot more now. A lot of future players and recruits are watching that.

“And internally it helps. It helps the younger players like Errol Robinson, J.B. Woodman, Colby Bortles, those freshmen. It’s going to help them next year. It’s nice to be rewarded. It’s a reward for those guys who have played so hard and put so much into this.”

Bianco said that while the Rebels had, for the most part, been good and had been participating in road Regionals recently, they kept coming up short.

“How do we get from good to great again?” he said. “Really the difference was just a couple of baseball games. Like in 2011, we were five outs away at Arkansas from winning the SEC West. And we didn’t even make a Regional. The year before that, 2010, we’re winning like 3-1 in the top of the eighth against Auburn on the last Friday night of the regular season. Their guy hits a home run, we lose, and we get swept. Just win another game or two, probably host a Regional. Instead, we go to Virginia and lose in a Regional.

In 2012 we went to College Station. The last weekend of the season, we go to Vanderbilt. Not a great Vanderbilt team but a young

24 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

Vanderbilt team. They were playing well at the end of the year. We lost a close game Thursday with Bobby Wahl pitching, a close game Friday with Mike Mayers pitching, and then we lost the third game.

We got swept and finished 14-16. Another couple of wins and we’re 16-14.

“So we kept asking ‘Why are we not closing weekends out? Why are we one game short?’ We’re not 4 and 26. So what is it? The year we didn’t make it we were 13-17 in the league.”

The Rebels finished 2014 with a 48-21 record, a Southeastern Conference Western Division title, second overall in the SEC behind Florida, and hosted a NCAA Regional. They then traveled to Lafayette, La., to win the Super Regional against ULL and advanced to Omaha.

“We didn’t have to revamp everything. We didn’t have to reinvent everything. We just had to get a couple of (regular season) games better,” Bianco said of what it took to keep things moving forward for the program from where it was in 2009 to where it was in 2014.

“We had to get tougher to handle injuries and adversity and all these things the game deals you.”

Coaching with Team USA during the summer of 2013 also helped Bianco, he admitted, from the fact that he was able to pick up some things from the other coaches on the staff. But on the flip side, he also shared some of the things Ole Miss does to make its program successful.

“I don’t want to sound egotistical, but one of the things is yes, I got to sit around and learn from great coaches and players,” said Bianco, who served as Team USA’s pitching coach. “But a lot of things

for us got reinforced that we’re doing the right things at Ole Miss. That was a positive.”

But there was no reinforcement like finishing in the final four, tied for third nationally, in Omaha.

“So how do you get that toughness?

How do you get mentally tough to handle the adversity? It starts in the weight room. It starts by making them a little uncomfortable, doing things they’re not used to doing, make them compete like heck out of it and see if we can push them to win. At practice, do the same thing.

We just kept pushing that. And they responded.”

Bianco went back to his first Rebel team in 2001.

“I remember saying we’ll get better talent and we’ll be better that way. But you can win if you play the game the right way and you play hard and you’re tough,” he said, recalling that season when Ole Miss played in the New Orleans Regional at Tulane. “That ’01 team, man, they were tough. Made the pitch at the right time, made the play at the right time, got the hit at the right time. That team won 17 games in the SEC; went 17-13. They were tough. We’d lost some of that (recently).”

The returning players for 2015 were either in Oxford for summer school or off playing baseball before returning to classes in August. Bianco wants them to do one or the other each summer.

“Basically my philosophy is that we don’t make them go play,” he said. “We may suggest to some that since they didn’t pitch that much or hit that much that they need to go do it. But we want them to either go play summer ball or be here in summer school, take six hours, and be in the weight room.”

And preparing for the 2015 college baseball season.

One of the ways they’re getting ready is the same way they got ready this time last year. And that’s in a demanding offseason workout program.

Ben Fleming sat in his office inside the Starnes Center weight room in late June.

The College World Series had only been over for five days. The road to Omaha, never with an absolute starting line, was already underway for 2015.

Fleming, heading into his second year with Ole Miss baseball as strength and conditioning coach, was talking about what it would take to get there again.

While the road map is an inexact science, last year at this time Fleming came on board to try to make the Rebels tougher, among other things.

It became the code word for the program, one used often by the coaches and

players, and remained as such all the way up through the Rebels’ visit and lengthy stay at the College World Series. Now he looks for another word for this year’s team.

“We might use some form of toughness,” Fleming said. “There’s going to be some word to describe who they are. It will be something that defines who this 2015 Ole Miss baseball team is.”

Fleming said the players returning understand what’s ahead of them this offseason. The new players have heard it and will experience it.

“The big challenge in year two is that what we did last summer and last fall was hard and it was grueling. But the blueprint doesn’t change just because we had one successful year and a lot of guys drafted or you might have played a lot this past year. It will be as hard or even harder because we’re going to throw new ideas and obstacles in front of you. It has to be that way to create that blue collar culture of hard work. And at the end of the day it’s about who is the toughest, and who believes they can win those walkoff games.”

Fleming said the whole environment surrounding the program this year was a key factor in the success it ultimately had.

“Coach (Bianco) is a master of the mental game and keeping the guys focused on the present. This team, more than any other team I’ve ever been around, bought into that. They were prepared. They were good. Don’t let a little bump in the road bother you, and they didn’t. With the leaders we’ll have next year, I see no reason it won’t be the same.”

Bianco had another decision to make this summer, having to replace an assistant. After three years at Ole Miss, Cliff Godwin became the head coach at his alma mater, East Carolina.

Former Texas A&M and Kansas State assistant coach Mike Clement joined the Rebel staff as hitting and offensive coach and also to help recruit players.

Nine Rebels from the 2014 squad were drafted, which led the nation. All signed except left-handed pitcher Christian Trent. He returns to anchor the pitching staff.

Fleming said having that many drafted is a positive for all concerned.

“It’s very rewarding, and you want to think they’ll all get drafted. But at the end of the day, you know how hard it is for that number of guys to get drafted. We had seniors but also a lot of juniors drafted. It makes my job easier when you can show the younger guys how many were successful.”

So Bianco and company finally got that trip to Omaha they’d so desperately wanted and worked for since 2000. They’d been close, just a win away on three previous occasions in a Super Regional game three.

But they couldn’t close it out. This time they did.

Could more trips to the College World Series be in their future, now that the proverbial door has been kicked down?

There certainly could be.

Because after years of trying to find that distant locale they knew was always there, they now actually know the way. RN

MIKE BIANCO 2014 FOOTBALL PREVIEW - 25

What do you do for an Encore?

O

le Miss baseball coach Mike Bianco sat in his office outlining how his team advanced to the College World Series in late June. For the first 13 seasons since he took the job, Bianco has been working non-stop to get the program to Omaha.

By JOHN DAVIS Contributing Writer The Oxford Citizen

Photos by Angie Ledbetter for Rebel Nation Magazine™

The first trip didn’t just happen, it’s been a slow burn. Outside of a couple of seasons, Ole Miss has been at, or near, the top of the SEC standings under Bianco, just never in the ultimate destination for all college programs.

The little things that Bianco looked at as a head coach prior to the start of the 2014 season turned out to make the biggest differences. A retreat he had with his coaches last August clearly allowed the coaching staff, and support members of the program, to figure out the things that worked well, the things that didn’t work as well, or the things that needed to be added.

One of the topics Bianco said he harped on during the retreat was toughness. He felt the players had to get tougher and that translated to a more regimented fall, filled with extra conditioning and more competition.

“For the last few years, we have been good, regardless of what anybody wants to say,” Bianco said. “We have been good, but we weren’t as good as we have been and we weren’t great as some of those other teams like in ‘05 and ‘09. It literally just comes down to a couple of games. If you go back and look through the schedule, you say ‘We should have won that game’ or ‘We let that game slip away.’ You start looking back and there are so many games, that if we would have just won one or two more, it would be different. And instead it wasn’t.”

Photo by Greg Pevey, Rebel Nation Magazine™

26 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

Some of the losses during the 2012 and 2013 seasons cost the Rebels championships and a chance to host a regional, rather than travel to Texas A&M and N.C. State, respectively, in each of those seasons. Ole Miss missed playing in the NCAA Regionals in 2011 altogether.

“It was one of those deals where we didn’t host a regional, but we were four outs away from winning the SEC West,” Bianco said. “We didn’t host a regional, but if we would have just won one game that final weekend, we would have won the West. You look back to 2010, we were one game above Auburn in the West and get swept. We were winning in the top of the ninth when a guy hit a three-run home run off (Brett) Huber. We end up losing that game and end up getting swept. The last weekend,

regionals.

“It wasn’t like we were 4-26 and you go ‘We really need to look at the whole thing.’ Part of it is we have to be tough enough and so how do we get tougher?,” Bianco said. “It’s a great word and a great catch phrase, but how do we do it?

Well, I started thinking back to when I got here. We beat the heck out of them. When I first got here, we were hard on them. And we were really hard on them this past fall.

We wanted them to figure out 1) Did they really want to be here? or 2) Did they want to go somewhere else? We decided we were going to be fair, but we were going to be hard.”

The level of toughness Bianco ultimately wanted his team to achieve happened thanks to a very demanding workout regiment that went into place once the players got

Ole Miss was projected to finish sixth out of seven teams in the SEC West before the baseball season started.

Through the first three weeks of the SEC season, the Rebels were just 4-5, and while they had lost three onerun games in those first nine games, the preseason prognostications appeared to be more true than not.

Auburn wins the West, and we go to Virginia for a regional. If you just hold on to that lead, it’s different.”

Those disappointing losses inspired Bianco to ask why, and look at the different reasons his team wasn’t winning those type of games like they had in 2005, 2006 and 2007 when the Rebels made three straight trips to the super

to school.

“I knew we had to be tougher in this league because this league will just eat you up, chew you up and then spit you out,” Bianco said. “If you’re not able to handle all the close games, the adversity and being on the road, this league will eat you up. When I look back at the 2001 club, we weren’t very good, but we were pretty

tough. And we won a lot of close games. I think, what happened, over time, we lost that toughness. We recruited better. We had more talent. We had more kids drafted. Then you ask ‘Who was the highest pick on the ‘01 team?’

“Besides all the little adjustments that we made, when I started thinking about that, it wasn’t that we weren’t good

enough talent wise, it wasn’t that we didn’t believe what we were doing offensively, or on the mound or how we coach,” Bianco added. “It was how do we win more games? How do we win those close games because it makes all the difference in the world.”

Being tougher meant pushing the players in a way they had never been exposed to, such as with carnival-like games that pitted teammates against each other.

“We had this weird tug-ofwar with ropes coming out of the middle and then we put them in groups and sometimes it was pitchers versus position players,” Bianco said.

“Sometimes it was freshmen versus older guys. We just mixed it up and made them compete. We made them love battling and then stop it and say ‘Your team gets one less guy. Why? Because that’s what we’re saying, so just embrace it and try to win anyway.’

“It was about getting them to embrace winning, regardless of what the circumstances are and what is being asked of you. We’re asking you to compete and win, so compete and win. That started in the weight room and in conditioning and then we brought it to the field and in the practices,” Bianco added. “That was our mantra all the way through, everything that we did in the fall, and it made a difference.”

Ole Miss was projected to finish sixth out of seven teams in the SEC West before the baseball season started.

Through the first three weeks of the SEC season, the Rebels were just 4-5, and while they had lost three one-run games in those first nine games, the preseason prognostications appeared to be more true than not.

Ole Miss swept Auburn the fourth weekend of the season and then took two out of three games against Mississippi State on the road halfway through the SEC schedule.

Things were looking up for the Rebels, who had three of their final five series at home.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 - 27

LSU was able to take two of three games to start the second half of the slate, and Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco felt like it was the next weekend — at Kentucky — to end April that his team finally took the necessary step to becoming the group that ultimately advanced to the CWS. “We lost two close games to LSU. I felt like we could have won all of them, but we only won one,” Bianco said. “To me, the weekend that we came together was when we were at Kentucky. We were in second place, but here it is, there is four weeks left, 12 games, and you have to make a decision if you’re going to win it. Nobody loses so you can win the SEC. You’re in position, you control your own destiny, and now it’s either you’re in our you’re out.”

The Rebels decided they were in as they swept the Wildcats with three impressive wins. They won their final three series of the season, finishing with a 19-11 mark in SEC play, good enough to capture the SEC West title and good enough to earn the Oxford Regional.

“They decided to take control and from the end of that Kentucky weekend, we were 9-3,” Bianco said. “Again, we got close to winning (the overall SEC title). It was one of those years where they decided to go and get it.”

Crowd supporT Ole Miss went 2-2 in the College World Series and finished ranked No. 3 in the final Baseball America poll and No. 4 in Collegiate Baseball. Ole Miss easily had the most fans out in Omaha and then when the Rebels returned to Oxford, the fans welcomed them back with open arms. Bianco said he was happy for the fans and the people that made the trip to Omaha.

“It was nice to see the Ole Miss family happy,” Bianco said. “They deserved this. The kids and this program deserve this, but the fans deserve this.

The administration deserves this, Oxford deserves this.

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Over the years, it hasn’t been easy. We’ve lost, as everybody has written about, four super regionals and three of them we won the first game.

“We’ve been really close, just a few outs in some of them. For whatever reason, we didn’t get to Omaha. And it wasn’t like it was a shot in the dark to get there,” Bianco continued. “Those teams were good. Those teams were hosts and they deserved a better fate, but this game can be cruel and it can be tough. For whatever reason, it wasn’t our year, that was the feeling I had.”

Bianco reminded the fans that welcomed the team back

in Oxford that the Rebels were picked to finish sixth in the West, but he didn’t say that to rub anyone’s nose in it.

“I don’t know if I articulated it well enough then. My point was we were confident and I’m happy for these guys,” Bianco said. “I know why we weren’t picked. It was because we weren’t returning as many people and that’s how it works, that’s how it always works.

Vanderbilt and Virginia are going to be ranked really high next year and I don’t know who they even return. When people don’t know, they pick the team that finished really high the year before or if they

Ole Miss easily had the most fans out in Omaha and then when the Rebels returned to Oxford, the fans welcomed them back with open arms. Bianco said he was happy for the fans and the people that made the trip to Omaha. have a bunch of projected first rounders.”

In the end, the Rebels played the best, when it counted, and did something that no other team had done since 1972.

“At the end, we had three All-Americans. At the end, we had the most draft picks with nine,” Bianco said. “Nobody knew that at the beginning.

We knew we would have a good team, but nobody else didn’t know about us. That’s why it was a neat year.” - RN

REBEL BASEBALL DAVE BEVAN

N

Follow Dave Bevan on Twitter @OleHottyToddy Dave Bevan is the managing editor of OleHottyToddy.com a subsidiary of Sports Illustrated. Follow Dave on Twitter @DaveOHT; and @OleHottyToddy.

Mike Bianco’s Journey to Omaha

ext baseball season, Mike Bianco will be going into his fifteenth season of his tenure at Ole Miss.

This makes Bianco the current longest tenured sports head coach for the Ole Miss athletics program. In 2013, Bianco became the all-time winningest head coach in Ole Miss sports history.

Coming into 2014, Bianco had a very heatlhy resume of his coaching career at Ole Miss. He had sent the Rebels to eleven NCAA Regionals, four NCAA Super-Regionals, two SEC Divisional Titles, one SEC regular season championship, and one SEC Tournament Championship. But, there always seemed to be something missing from all that success. It was something Rebel fans have been craving for years.

But, no one longed for it more than Mike Bianco, an appearance in the College World Series.

Every year, Omaha, Nebraska plays host to the College Baseball World Series. For 42 years, Ole Miss fans had suffered heartbreaking seasons, and witnessing their Ole Miss Rebels staying at home during that event. We all seem to want to forget about the 2009 season, but the year of 2014 was something that would be surprisingly different for Rebel Nation.

The 2014 season was suppose to be a rebuilding year for Mike Bianco and the Rebels. Bianco had already lost star players like Tanner Mathis, Mike Myers, Bobby Wahl, and Stuart Turner. These players either graduated or moved on to the major leagues. In came a ton of new freshmen faces to complete the 2014 roster. No one, including myself, knew what to expect.

I mean come on, the only thing we knew about Colby Bortles was that he was the brother of Blake Bortles, a talented UCF quarterback who was projected to go high in the 2014 NFL Draft. We didn’t know for sure little brother Colby

knew how to play baseball.

Fourteen years ago, Mike Biaco sat at an Ole Miss press conference podium on a Wednesday afternoon. He was being introduced by (at the time) athletic director John Shafer as the new head baseball coach for the Ole Miss Rebels.

After Shafer gave his speech, Bianco stood at the podium. He talked about how excited he was of the opportunity to coach at Ole Miss.

He went on to say he was ready to, “put Ole Miss back in the forefront of college baseball.”

Mike Bianco came to Oxford as the former head coach of McNeese State in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Bianco had produced three solid 30 win seasons as the Cowboys head coach. His last season with McNeese State was his best.

The team would produce a 39-19 overall recorded, finishing tied for 1st in the conference, it ended with a NCAA Regional tournament appearance.

In 1989, Bianco graduated from Louisiania State University. For two seasons, he was the starting catcher and played for legendary Tigers’ head coach Skip Bertman.

In his last season, Bianco was the starting catcher for the Tigers’ team that finished third in the College World Series. In 1993, Bianco reunited with his former coach Skip Bertman after serving a few seasons at Northwestern State as a graduate assistant. Bianco and Bertman were a team of their own. In the five years together, they would bring the Tigers to four College World Series appearances.

In this time span, the Tigers would claim three national championships, three Southeastern Conference Championships, and two SEC tournament titles. So, it is easy to say that Mike Bianco’s resume was already heavy with success before he ever arrived at Ole Miss. Now, he would need to perform those same results on his own.

In his ninth season as head

coach of Ole Miss, Bianco was still looking down the barrel for that trip to Omaha. Rebel fans were beginning to get impatient after a few close calls in previous seasons, but 2009 was different. This was the year. The Rebels had so much talent on this team, that there would be nothing that could stop them.

They had weapons on the mound, like Drew Pomeranz, who had one of the meanest sliders in the Southeastern Conference. They had amazing talent in the infield, like Evan Button, who was virtually errorless coming into the season. It was a roster not relatively known for hitting talent, but it was enough pitching and fielding talent to get the Rebels to Omaha.

As it turned out, that would not be the case. The Rebels suffered a heartbreaking loss to Virginia in game two of the 2009 Oxford Super-Regional, due to a fielding error in the bottom of the eighth inning.

All momentum was lost by game three, and Virginia went on to beat the Rebels, claiming the programs first ever berth in the College World Series.

In 2014 postseason, it all came down to one game for Mike Bianco and the Rebels. On Sunday night, June 10, 2014, the Rebels faced the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns in the final game of the Lafayette Super-Regional. Bianco would start veteran right-handed pitcher Sam Smith.

Even though, the Cajuns got on board first in the third inning, that lead was short lived, as Ole Miss power hitters Austin Anderson and Sikes Orvis would hit a pair of home runs, giving the Rebels a 3-2 lead in the top of the fourth inning.

The Cajuns answered right back with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game. It seemed as though we were in for a tight close match to the end. Who would buckle first?

Sam Smith’s performance on the mound was short lived. After

working three and a half innings and allowing three runs, Smith was pulled and it was up to junior righthander Scott Weathersby to bring Omaha to light for the Rebels. Weathersby pitched for two innings, allowing two hits with a walk and picked up two strikeouts.

After some hiccups in the Cajuns’ pitching staff from a few wild pitches and hit by pitches, the Rebels were able to take advantage of the situation. Left fielder Braxton Lee was able to score at home on a wild pitch to Bortles. The Rebels now led the Cajuns 4-3 in the top of the fifth inning. They would add to the lead with a two-out rally in the sixth inning on a RBI double down the left field line from Auston Bousfield. The Rebels were now just nine outs away from advancing to Omaha.

After getting into a jam in the bottom of the sixth inning, Weathersby’s time on the mound would come to an end with the Cajuns threatening a rally. Mike Bianco turned to another junior righthanded relief pitcher, Josh Laxer.

Laxer was already coming off a sensational season, after picking up fives saves to this point on the year, while maintaining a barely nothing ERA. Laxer would get out of the jam, perserving the Rebels’ two run lead.

The Rebels would get into a jam again in the bottom of the seventh inning. After errors and a walk put two runners on for the Cajuns, they answered with a RBI single down the third base line from centerfielder Seth Harrison. The Rebels lead was now cut to one. The Cajuns sent the trailing runner on the play, but the relay was on line as Braxton Lee threw the ball in to Errol Robinson who then threw a perfect laser to the plate and senior catcher Will Allen tagged out the advancing runner to end the inning. Ole Miss held onto a 5-4 lead after seven innings. They extended that lead to 6-4 in the eighth inning after a Braxton Lee sacrifice fly to left field, allowing Woodman to score from third.

The Rebels added comfortable insurance in the top of the ninth inning when pinch hitter Holt Perdzock stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and no outs. On a full count pitch, Perdzock drove the ball into the corner of the right field wall, resulting in a double and two SEE BIANCO - Continued Page 45

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 - 29

SPOTLIGHT - DEFENSE

“D” is the Key C.J. Johnson and Cody Prewitt anchor a defense that could be the best at Ole Miss since the 2008 Cotton Bowl Season

By PARRISH ALFORD

C

Contributing Writer - Tupelo Daily Journal

.J. Johnson knows what people around town are saying about the Ole Miss defense.

He likes what he hears but takes a Switzerland-type approach in his reaction. He neither embraces nor refutes the high expectations.

With nine starters returning and the hopeful impact of two Division-One transfers Johnson believes this defense can be special.

“The guys coming back, the talent we have … I think this is one of the best defenses we’ve had,” says Johnson, whose return at one defensive end is welcomed by his coaches and teammates after an injury-plagued 2013.

The Rebels have shown steady improvement in their first two seasons under Dave Wommack. An experienced coordinator of 18 years, Wommack joined Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze at Arkansas State in 2011. Their one season in Jonesboro the Red Wolves’ defense finished in the top 25 in every major category including No. 13 against the run.

That same year Ole Miss was No. 112 against the run, 90th in total defense, 96th in scoring defense.

Last year, Wommack’s second at Ole Miss, the Rebels improved from No. 60 in scoring defense to No. 37, No. 46 in total defense to No. 38.

Those strides were made with much less quality depth than the Rebels will have at the outset of 2014.

Climbing in the NCAA stats and climbing among the SEC brethren are different things however.

A jump of 23 spots in scoring defense still placed the Rebels barely in the upper half of

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DE - C.J. JOHNSON Photo by Greg Pevey

conference schools at No. 7 among the 14 teams.

Johnson believes further improvement is imminent and that Ole Miss can be a top 15 defense.

“I think that’s kind of where we are as a defense,” he said. “We realize that we have the people in place and the right amount of guys that we can go out and get that done.”

While quality depth is greater the best teams have to have their best players. Ole Miss didn’t have Johnson for most of last year. He was less than full speed at the start of camp as he worked to recover from a broken leg sustained in spring drills. Ultimately an ankle injury ended his season after four appearances, and Johnson was able to reclaim his junior year with a medical redshirt.

When he wasn’t around the Rebels were noticeably lacking in pass rush. Johnson led the team in sacks in 2012 with 6.5 and added eight tackles for loss. Without him there was little for quarterbacks to fear. Ole Miss averaged just 1.54 sacks per game in 2013 to rank No. 96 nationally.

Safety Cody Prewitt says Johnson is stronger for the tough times he faced.

“He’s able to perform physically like he wants to,” Prewitt said. “Mentally, going through that injury has really strengthened him. He was able to face that adversity, and he’s come out on top.”

Johnson is the key figure, but defensive line overall is an intriguing position.

Freeze and his staff have addressed the pass rush concerns with Florida International

S - CODY PREWITT Photo by Greg Pevey

transfer Fadol Brown and prep school signee Marquis Haynes. Both will be adjusting to a new level of play, but both showed promise in the spring.

Brown played sparingly as a freshman at FIU with eight tackles and two tackles for loss through 10 games.

He blossomed in the spring, however, and had four sacks and a fumble recovery in the spring game. He transferred and sat out last season at Ole Miss.

Haynes had 16 sacks and nine forced fumbles and Fork Union Military Academy last season. He had seven tackles and two sacks in the spring game at Ole Miss.

Brown begins August as the starter at the end opposite Johnson.

Another intriguing factor along the line will be having Robert Nkemdiche at tackle.

The nation’s No. 1 recruit in 2013, Nkemdiche had 25 tackles, eight tackles for loss and two sacks as a freshman while missing most of three games with a hamstring injury. For most it might be considered strong showing for the rookie season, but Nkemdiche had hoped for more.

He also endured a position change, albeit

just one spot down the line from end to tackle. Now with a full spring at tackle and good health at the start, Nkemdiche is expected to be a force to contend with on the interior, tying up blockers and providing his own pass rush.

He had a strong showing at tackle in the bowl game with five stops, four solo, against Georgia Tech.

The presence of Nkemdiche at one side figures to be a boost for Woodrow Hamilton and Issac Gross at nose tackle.

“I’m not one to brag and boast about the season when the season’s not here,” Gross said.

“But we’ve got some guys, and I’m talking to them, the way they’re coming in … it’s a different feeling. People coming into Ole Miss, and they want to win, not just fit in. They want to make a name for themselves.”

Depth shows up nowhere more than in the secondary, and that’s a good thing because that depth will be tested early with the loss of Chief Brown. A playmaker as a backup safety, Chief Brown’s season ended before it began with an Achilles injury in June. He concluded spring drills as the second team Huskie.

With Brown out, Mike Hilton has returned

to Huskie – where he played in 2012 – from cornerback. He goes into camp listed second to Tony Conner.

Wommack was able to make the move with Hilton because he’s been so pleased with sophomore Derrick Jones. Coaches have long praised the athleticism of Jones who stands 6-2 and offers a good matchup against bigger wide receivers.

The anticipated arrival of junior college transfer Tee Shepard will add further depth at corner.

While Johnson is the face up front, Prewitt, a returning All-American after leading the SEC with seven interceptions, is the unquestioned leader in the secondary. His face lights up when he talks about the secondary.

“The potential is unlimited. I finally feel like we’re a good, experienced secondary.

We’re used to playing with each other. When we’re practicing we make a lot fewer mistakes, and that’s what makes the difference,” Prewitt said. “Whenever you have a secondary unit that can be where they’re supposed to be when they’re supposed to be there and have a small number of missed assignments.

That’s when you start to come together as a dominant unit.”

Chief Brown had moved to Huskie because of the potential shown by former Southern Miss quarterback Anthony Alford and freshman signee C.J. Hampton, who enrolled early and went through spring drills.

Ole Miss players have praised the athleticism of Alford as they competed against him on the scout team last year and watch him perform in spring drills this year.

Alford led Petal to the Class 6A championship game in 2011. He was rated a top 150 player by ESPN and became Mississippi’s first high school athlete to be named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year twice.

Known for his physicality and versatility at Meridian High School, Hampton was a consensus four-star recruit and the No. 59 prospect according to 247Sports.

He had five tackles in the spring game.

“You can definitely feel it from fans about what their expectations are for the season, but that’s with everybody around our program.

The expectations are higher, so now it’s time to take that next step,” Johnson says.

He points to Auburn as an example. The Tigers were 0-for-the-SEC in 2012 and played for the national championship in 2013.

“Last year nobody expected Auburn to do anything, and they went to the national championship game. We’ve talked about it here for a while. We’ve raised the expectations from Year 1 to Year 2, and now it’s time to take that next step,” Johnson said. “You can definitely feel it from fans about what their expectations are for the season, but that’s with everybody around our program.” - RN

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 - 31

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT - VINCE SANDERS

Time to Shine

Coming off an injury in 2013, Vince Sanders looks to leave his mark as he kicks-off his final season as an Ole Miss Rebel

By PARRISH ALFORD

Contributing Writer - Tupelo Daily Journal Photos by Greg Pevey

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ne of his teammates had a song written in his honor, a video produced and became a star of the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium video board at the end of the 2012 season.

Ole Miss fans liked nothing more than to see quarterback Bo Wallace, “Feed Moncrief.”

The next signing class brought the No. 1 wide receiver recruit in the nation.

With that type of flash at the position group it was easy to forget about a guy who just went to work and did his job, a guy who was never a Twitter sensation.

What Vince Sanders hasn’t had in star power and recognition he’s made up for with production when he’s been on the field.

And that hasn’t been nearly as much as he’d like.

“We’re excited to have Vince. He’s a really good player who gets overlooked in my opinion,” Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said.

Sanders has seen flash before. Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 15 wide receiver, the No. 120 player overall and the No. 2 player in Mississippi in the 2010 recruiting class, all good numbers at Noxubee County High School.

But Sanders redshirted as a freshman and in 2011 had just 10 catches in 10 games. Honestly, there’s wasn’t a lot getting done on offense by any Ole Miss players in a season that ended with two wins and the firing of former coach Houston Nutt.

If it takes a little extra effort to remember Sanders, well, there are reasons. He associates this anonymity with his unfortunate absences.

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Sanders entered the 2013 season with a head of steam, but on the first day of August practice – sans the pads – a teammate was overly aggressive.

Sanders sustained a broken collar bone and missed the first three games. He also missed the bowl game with an ankle injury.

With good health he might have caught 35 balls last year. In nine games he had 21 catches for 325 yards and a score, a 70-yarder against Texas A&M. Asked if he agrees with Freeze’s assessment that he’s the forgotten man he says, “Of course I do,” but it makes perfect sense to Sanders.

“I know I missed a lot. I missed several games last year with injuries, but when I was out there I feel like I was productive,” he said.

“I feel a little overlooked, but I understand that because of the injuries. I want to make

up for that this year.”

A 15.5-yards per catch average supports Sanders’ production theory. He knows how to find the end zone too, though he did that more as a sophomore with 39 catches for 504 yards and four touchdowns.

While the injuries play a part it’s also easy to get overlooked by flashier teammates like Donte Moncrief, an early NFL draft entry, and Laquon Treadwell, the nation’s No. 1 wide receiver in the 2013 recruiting class.

“I’m sure that factors into it,” Sanders said.

“It’s hard to get into the spotlight when you have Donte and then another guy (Treadwell) comes in and catches 70 balls.”

Moncrief wasn’t the only loss among the wide receivers.

Sanders heads into the season No. 1 at one spot, and the return of Treadwell gives the

Follow Parrish Alford on Twitter @ParrishAlford

“I’m totally healthy. I went through the whole summer workout sessions, both of them. I have no lingering issues with the hamstring.

I’m ready to go and I’m excited about the year. I’m the senior of the receiver group now, so I want our unit to perform and have a big year. I think we will.”

– Vince Sanders Rebels experienced threats on the outside.

Freeze is hoping to see sophomore Quincy Adeboyejo make notable strides as a sophomore. A four-star recruit out of Dallas a year ago, Adeboyejo drew praise from Freeze before practice began but had a hard time making a big splash behind a veteran group.

Those three are listed as the starters going into camp.

Freeze would like to see depth build quickly.

There are program journeymen behind starters right now, guys who have played different positions but have yet to make a big impact.

There’s exciting potential among the newcomers in freshmen Markell Pack and Dayall Harris.

ESPN.com rated Harris, of Jackson Callaway, a four-star recruit and the No. 8 player in Mississippi.

Pack, of Purvis, was a consensus four-star recruit and a U.S. Army All-American. ESPN and 247Sports listed him among their top 100 players, and the Rebels are hoping he can help stretch the field.

Sammie Harris is listed as a tight end but at 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds could give the Rebels that big receiver who becomes a matchup issue for opposing defensive backs.

While Freeze praises the improved depth in the program that doesn’t apply at all positions

especially with the hit the Rebels took at wide receiver.

New guys will have to play a role, and old guys will have to lead. Sanders is the only wide receiver with multiple years of playing time at the position.

“We have some good receivers, but we’re not as deep there as I’d like to be. Vince is going to have to lead that core group. He is definitely one of our leaders,” Freeze said.

Leadership is not a new responsibility for Sanders. His high school coach, M.C. Miller, wanted the ball in his hands as much as possible.

As a senior he scored 13 touchdowns in spite of missing four games.

He also played quarterback and passed for more than 500 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior while catching passes for more than 300 yards and four more scores.

Playing quarterback helped him become a better receiver, Sanders said.

“It helps knowing where the quarterback wants to go with the ball, whether he wants to throw it hard or throw it soft,” he said. “When Bo scrambles, I know what his mindset is. I scrambled a lot in high school, and I was always looking upfield, looking for a wide receiver to come back and make a play.”

While high school QB play was beneficial

there were plenty of nuances to playing wide receiver that Sanders had to pick up at Ole Miss. Disciplined route-running, eye placement and blocking were just a few.

He was rarely called on to throw a block at Noxubee County. That’s different now.

“High school helped me with knowing how to win, not giving up and fighting through adversity. It helped you to not expect anything to be handed to you,” Sanders said.

Remember his high school work ethic Sanders has played with a bit of a chip on his shoulder.

“A lot of people like to say I ain’t big enough, but I don’t think that’s a factor when it comes to making plays. I feel like I can stretch the defense, make tough catches and keep my composure in big situations,” Sanders said. “I have a mindset that when the ball comes my way, I’m going to make the play.”

As long as he can do that, Sanders can do without the accolades and attention of others. Being in the background is not that bad when you know what you can do and know how your coach and teammates depend on you to do it.

Sometimes anonymity can be underrated.

“I just want to go out and do my job and look at my catches at the end of the year. I’m find with not being in the spotlight.” - RN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 - 33

COVER STORY

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Follow Seph Anderson on Twitter @SephAnderson

NEVER QUIT

By SEPH ANDERSON

Contributing Writer • Photos Courtesy Ole Miss Athletics

25 Years Later, Remembering #38: Chucky’s Enduring Impact on Rebel Nation

A

s hard as it is to believe, it has now been 25 years since that exuberant, passionate young man we all know simply as “Chucky,” having turned great personal tragedy into a means to inspire a community at large, last took the field for the Ole Miss Rebels.

Having undoubtedly left lasting impacts on the likes of coaches, teammates and fellow students during his time at Ole Miss, some 25 years later, the spirit of Roy Lee “Chucky” Mullins shines brighter than ever. And for that, you can just see him smiling from above.

While knowing the circumstances by which the Russellville, Alabama native sustained his injuries is certainly important to understanding the events that followed, it’s not what the former Rebel defensive back would want Rebel Nation to focus on in remembering his legacy.

As trite and cliché as it may sound, how the charismatic young man chose to react to the grossly unfair hand he was dealt on October 28, 1989 is the real story of Chucky Mullins. It’s a story chocked full of life lessons and special memories that continue to be passed down from one generation to the next, as it rightfully should. In fact, being told the story of Chucky Mullins and then being able to share the story with someone else is almost like a rite of passage for an Ole Miss Rebel. With that in mind, let’s look back at some of ways No. 38 left his indelible mark on Rebel Nation some 25 years ago.

Determination, Drive and Dreams

Having lost his mother and only parent in his life to illness during the seventh grade, a young Chucky Mullins could have easily felt sorry for himself and set out on a different path in life, but he didn’t.

Instead, he did quite the opposite: he flourished.

At some point in our lives, we all need a little help. To young Chucky and his brother, Russellville, Alabama recreation center employee Carver Phillips would prove to be that type of person in their lives. Already with two children of their own, Phillips and his wife, Karen, decided to adopt the two brothers upon the death of their mother. It was a decision that would have a profound effect on Chucky.

All-everything athlete in the small town of Russellville, Chucky had to work incredibly hard just for a chance to play college football.

Having grown up in Alabama, he had always dreamed of playing for the Crimson Tide. However, when it became apparent he wasn’t going to be offered a scholarship at Alabama, Chucky had to look elsewhere for a chance to play SEC Football.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 - 35

Working to help Chucky fulfill his dream, Carver reached out to Ole Miss Head Coach Billy Brewer about the prospects of Chucky playing for the Rebels. While Brewer liked what he saw and heard in Mullins, the Rebel coach stopped short of initially offering him a scholarship. However, Chucky persisted in his efforts to convince Coach Brewer that he was worth the gamble. And when a Rebel commit backed out at the last minute, the Ole Miss coaching staff extended a scholarship offer to the persistent Mullins. Having always just wanted a chance to prove himself, he was determined to show coaches they had made the right decision. Redshirted as a freshman in 1988, he worked his way on to both special teams and pass defense units as a redshirt freshman during the 1989 season.

After working tirelessly for a chance at some real playing time, his dreams were finally beginning to come to fruition in 1989.

His hard work and determination had paid off. He was playing SEC football.

On October 28, 1989, as the Rebels took on Vandy for homecoming, Chucky had begun to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with in the Rebel secondary. As the Rebels prepared to take the field that day, a picture was taken (see page 34) which will forever be etched in the minds of red and blue fans. At the front of the pack, eager to lead his team onto the field alongside the coach that had given him the chance to pursue his dream, there was No. 38. Ready to go. Ready to lead his boys onto the field and onto victory in front of the home crowd. It was a picture worth a thousand words. It was Chucky in full form, amped and passionate about realizing his dream of playing football for the Ole Miss Rebels.

Courage Under Fire

After taking the opening kickoff down the field, the visiting Commodores faced a 3rd and goal from the 12-yard line. A likely passing situation, the upstart kid from Alabama was called on as the fifth member of the secondary. After the ball was snapped, Vandy QB John Gromos attempted to connect with running back Brad Gaines. Meeting the pass and intended receiver was No. 38, Roy Lee “Chucky” Mullins. Colliding with Gaines and successfully breaking up the pass, Mullins then fell to the ground.

But he didn’t pop back up.

He laid there, motionless, as the crowd held its collective breath.

An ambulance was quickly called in to carry Chucky off the field and take him to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. However, upon quickly realizing the severity and gravity of his injuries, local doctors had him airlifted to Baptist Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. There, it was confirmed he had

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broken four vertebrae in his cervical spine.

And just like that, in the matter of one play, a few seconds, his football career was over.

Everything he had worked so hard for in life was taken.

Gone. Just like that. Talk about bad things happening to good people, this was the worst.

But even bigger than the game of football, in a split second, his life had changed forever.

Here was a kid that, while caringly raised for a significant portion of his life by the Phillips family, that had overcome a childhood lived largely without the presence of a biological parent. A kid that had made the right life choices, despite being dealt a crummy hand. A kid that had worked hard to get where he was in life. A kid with a smile and spirit that could instantly make those around him feel good about themselves.

Chucky Mullins was an allaround good person that had done everything right. And that’s precisely what made his situation so hard for everyone else to come to terms with.

Imagine having the thing you loved most in life, not to mention the ability to complete common daily tasks like brushing your teeth or getting dressed, taken away from you at a moment’s notice. Would you be angry?

Would you lose hope? Most individuals would. However, Chucky never let his accident bring him down. As much as his injury and resulting paralysis undoubtedly weighed on him physically, mentally and emotionally, Chucky showed a remarkable level of courage and grace.

But that was Chucky. Plain and simple.

And to commemorate his remarkable courage, each spring coaches now select one defensive player that embodies the courage, determination and heart that Chucky displayed during his time with the Rebels. The annual award recipient receives a framed Mullins jersey, but most importantly, receives the honor of wearing the retired No. 38 jersey during the next season (retired except for the annual award recipient). Among those having received the annual award are Rebel defensive greats Nate Wayne and Patrick Willis and current two-time winner, D.T. Shackelford. There’s no doubt Chucky cracks his big smile each

time No. 38 makes a big play.

Overcoming Odds, Never Quitting

Despite the odds he faced, Chucky was committed to returning to Ole Miss to continue work on his degree. In August 1990, less than one year after sustaining his injuries, he had achieved his goal. Living in a specially-equipped house off campus, Mullins was once again able to attend class and socialize with fellow Ole Miss students. He was back in the place he loved, never looking back or fretting on the past, but instead living in the moment. His “Never Quit” at-

titude was never more apparent than it was in his overcoming unimaginable odds to return to campus and continue work on his degree.

And as special as being back in the mix of things was for Chucky, what kind of impact do you think his return had on the students, faculty and staff at Ole Miss? Here was an SEC football player, paralyzed from the neck down, who had overcome lengthy stints in the hospital and rehabilitation, and he was back taking classes on campus just like everyone else. Not only did he achieve his goal in doing so, but he also served as a living example of both the preciousness of life and the ability of individuals to over-

come obstacles. Unknowingly doing so, Chucky was teaching those around him much, much more than they could have ever picked up from a lecture or read in a book. In seeing his positive attitude and million dollar smile, despite everything he faced and might face down the road, students, faculty and staff were served a daily reminder of how to truly put things into perspective. If Chucky was happy, well then, why couldn’t they be, too?

One Defining Moment

After winning the Egg Bowl to finish the 1989 regular season, the Rebels were selected to play in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

A mere 70 miles north of Oxford, there was no doubt Ole Miss fans would travel in bunches to support their team. Arguably having just gone through one of the most trying seasons in program history follow-

ing Chucky’s injury, there was no doubt that coaches and players would be emotional as they prepared to take on Air Force in the Liberty Bowl.

But wait a minute. Just a few miles from the stadium was the hospital where Chucky was being treated. During their time in Memphis for bowl week, the team was able to visit their teammate in the nearby hospital. However, the bitter cold weather made everyone unsure whether or not he would

As trite and cliché as it may sound, how the charismatic young man chose to react to the grossly unfair hand he was dealt on October 28, 1989 is the real story of Chucky Mullins. It’s a story chocked full of life lessons and special memories that continue to be passed down from one generation to the next, as it rightfully should.

In fact, being told the story of Chucky Mullins and then being able to share the story with someone else is almost like a rite of passage for an Ole Miss Rebel.

actually be able to attend the game.

However, as game day grew closer, the weather looked like it may in fact cooperate for Chucky to actually attend the Liberty Bowl. Langston Rogers, Ole Miss Sports Information Director at the time, remembers, “When Coach Brewer told the team Chucky might be able to come to our game with Air Force, it seemed to bring into focus that the 31st annual Liberty Bowl would be much more than just another football game. Chucky had not been outside Baptist Memorial Hospital since his injury and everybody wanted to see him.”

As Rebel coaches and players began to make their way from the locker room to the field, an ambulance backed into the tunnel area. What happened next is something neither those present that night nor those that have seen video footage of, will ever forget.

As the back doors to the ambulance opened, there came Chucky. And his smile.

Rogers said of the scene, “It was a relief when we saw the ambulance backing down the end zone tunnel approximately 45 minutes before the kickoff. Chucky was propped up on an inclined stretcher. He had on his white Liberty Bowl jersey, red sweat pants and a red ski cap. Once inside the locker room, the ski cap came off and was replaced with a white Ole Miss cap.

Chucky’s eyes just sparkled and that big smile greeted his teammates as they gathered around him.”

It was like a scene out of a movie. Asked

by Coach Brewer if he had anything to say to his team, Chucky quietly offered two words, “It’s Time.” Quickly echoed for all to hear, Ole Miss Sports Information Director Langston Rogers repeated, “It’s Time.”

Players immediately broke out into cheer and began to chant, “It’s time. It’s time. It’s time.”

Rogers remembers vividly, “The roar inside the room was deafening and there were many smiles and tears for Chucky that night. As the team went to the field for the kickoff, Chucky whispered to his guardian, Carver Phillips, ‘I wish I could play this game’. It was an emotional moment and a memory I will cherish forever.”

From that moment forward, the Falcons didn’t stand a chance. In the end, Ole Miss made easy work of Air Force, beating the Falcons by a score of 42-29. A bowl win on paper, it was an even bigger win for Chucky and his teammates.

For No. 38, the opportunity to physically be with his teammates before the bowl game had to have been one of the most special moments of his life. There he was, sporting a jersey and smile, after everything he had been through up to that point. It was inspirSEE CHUCKY - Continued on Page 45

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 - 37

REBEL NATION

Follow Angie Ledbetter on Twitter @Rebel4Ever

BEHIND EVERY GREAT MAN IS A

great

Woman

By ANGIE LEDBETTER Contributing Writer

An inside look at the “other half ” of Coach Hugh Freeze

uly 25th marked the 22nd wedding anniversary of Hugh and Jill Freeze, a couple that Rebel Nation has shown great respect for over the last three years.

Fans know all about Hugh’s coaching, fishing, golfing and his love for NASCAR; but little is known about the woman behind him. As the saying goes, “Behind every great man is a great woman”, and this stands true to Jill and Hugh.

Jill grew up in Louisville, Mississippi with an older brother and younger sister. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi on a fast pitch scholarship where she played centerfield, but enjoyed playing soccer also.

“I was much better at softball. My first soccer game, I didn’t realize when I threw the ball in that I had to keep both feet on the ground and both hands had to be over my head, but I threw it like a softball.”

Jill received her bachelor’s degree in secondary education and mathematics. Her senior year she met Hugh who was a junior. He

J

38 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

had attended Northwest Community College before going to Southern Miss to receive a bachelor’s degree in math with a minor in coaching and sports administration.

Since Hugh didn’t play football in college (due to breaking his back his senior year in high school) the romance started in two math classes the couple had together.

Jill said Hugh liked to play practical jokes on people, but was still the most solid Christian.

“I bought into the fact that you go to college and just try certain things, but he didn’t.

His faithful walk was what attracted me to him.”

Jill’s first date with Hugh was to a very unusual place; church.

“He was talking about going to church and preaching and I thought he was lying.

He didn’t strike me as a preacher because he was always joking around. The church was way out in the country and the entire time I still didn’t believe him, but it turned out that he was telling the truth. He preached and did an amazing job.”

Jill taught for one year in Hattiesburg while Hugh finished school. After graduating in May, the couple married two months later.

The next 19 years were a whirlwind for Jill as she followed her husband’s coaching career.

“I always told him that, whatever he felt, I was good with it. I’ve loved everything about it and wouldn’t trade this life for anything.”

“We had our three girls while at Briarcrest.

Ragan and Jordan were only 13 months apart and Madison came three years later. It was a great time for us.”

After a two year stint in Jackson, Tennessee; Hugh moved to San Jose, California. He was in California for four months without Jill and his daughters.

“It was so hard on him. That move showed me how much he loved me. The girls and I moved there in February when my work contract was up.”

Jill said they were in California four days as a family when her husband got the call from Arkansas State. They moved to Jones-

Photo by Angie Ledbetter SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 - 39

boro, taking up residency in a hotel due to not having time to research the local schools.

The next move tops them all. The Freeze family found a house, moved in, and set up the entire kitchen and the girls’ rooms. A few days later they returned to finish unpacking.

“Hugh asked me to turn into a gas station because he needed to get a newspaper.

I asked him why he needed one. He told me he had to find us another house because they didn’t get local channels or ESPN, so that meant no SEC football.”

Hugh was on a mission that day. According to Jill, he found a house in the newspaper that was a foreclosure and the people were fixing it up to rent. The kitchen and master bathroom wasn’t finished. Hugh told them that they could keep working, but he wanted to move in that day.

“That was one day that I got teary eyed.

I had a moment or two in the car because I just wanted to be settled in somewhere. We packed up everything and moved that day.”

“During that time, the girls went to three different schools and they were registered as homeless at one of them due to living in the hotel.”

Jill feels that they went through so much but were given it back in large measure, and she’s very grateful.

“I don’t fear or worry about our jobs because God has shown me, time and time again, that He’s got this and He’s in control.”

Jill knew that her husband would become a Division-I head coach before they ever got married.

“He said it then and I believed him. On our honeymoon, he stood in the middle of Neyland Stadium and said, ‘I will be a head coach of an SEC team’ and I had no doubt.”

On the day she stood with her husband and three girls on the stage at the Ford Center, she said it was overwhelming.

“I knew it would happen, but not so quickly. I felt like God had just poured out His Savior on us. It was kind of like ‘I’m worthy and don’t know why you did this, but I know it’s because you love me.’ I can’t comprehend why you love me so much.”

Jill describes the past three years as faith building.

“It doesn’t seem like it’s been that long.

It’s been amazing that God has shown up so big for us and my faith has grown so much since we’ve been here.”

Hugh’s parents, Danny and Rita Freeze, live in Independence and Jill’s parents, Sid and Jo Vaughn, live in Vaiden.

“There’s nothing like family, and having them close is a big plus. His family and mine are very close. They attend all of the games, home and away, and we tailgate together. It was a blessing for us to be here and

40 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

spend time with Hugh’s grandfather and grandmother, who passed away in the last year. We don’t have the regrets we would’ve had if we had lived somewhere else and not been able to spend that time with them.”

Outside of football, Jill has a very busy schedule with three girls who are 16, 15 and 12. Ragan plays basketball, volleyball and runs track. Jordan plays basketball and volleyball also. Madison takes gymnastics.

“It’s busy, but I wouldn’t trade it for any-

him to quit and do something else. He’s been very upfront with them that he’d quit his job if they wanted him to. There have been a few times where there had been a yes. Then he tells them, “Ok, then you understand that means no this, no this and no this.” They say never mind. I think that kind of empowers them a little bit by the fact that they have a choice, and when you’re choosing, it makes it easier.”

As far as Jill, she said that Hugh told her

Photo by Greg Pevey

thing. I live in my car and I drive around a lot. I love to watch my girls compete.”

How do the Freeze girls handle their daddy’s busy work schedule?

“They’re very resilient,” added their mother.

“We’re at the Manning Center all the time and they work the football camps and spend time with him. Hugh does a great job of spending quality time with them and talking to them.”

“One of the hardest things for them is that he doesn’t get to watch them play at their games a lot. They understand that if he could be there he would. I think they just accept this is how it is.”

“Hugh talks to the girls if they’re ever struggling and he’ll ask them if they want

(Above) Jill congratulates Hugh after the Rebels beat Auburn 41-20 in 2012, ending Ole Miss’ 16 game SEC losing streak. (Right) Daughters (L to R) Jordan, Madison and Ragan with Hugh after the Rebels Compass Bowl victory over Pitt.

up front that this is what marriage is going to be like as a coach’s wife, and if you can’t handle that then let’s not do this.

“So I chose it. A lot of times you feel bad because your children really didn’t get a choice, but I think the way Hugh has handled it, he made them able to have a choice.”

As far as spending time with Hugh herself, Jill enjoys playing golf with him but says he’s the better golfer. Hugh played in the FedEx St. Jude Classic Pro-Am on June 4 at TPC Southwind in Memphis. He was

on Team Duvall with NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, PGA golfer David Duval, FedEx vice president Mike Glenn and NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. Current NASCAR driver Danica Patrick was there for support.

“I enjoy doing things for my girls like painting their rooms etc. We do hangout together a lot as a family. We play basketball out in the back yard. We also record our shows like Survivor and The Mentalist. One night a week, we sit down as a family, eat popcorn and watch them. We’re not fancy people.”

If you know Jill then you know she loves the beach. The family went for the SEC meetings. Besides hanging out on the beach, they play cards together, ride bikes and eat ice cream.

In July, she and the girls went to Destin.

Their week included parasailing, surfing lessons, surfing for the first time, a high

of kids that maybe have never stepped in a church or some that do and just need a mentor or accountability. A lot of it is student lead and I think it’s a great place to develop leadership.”

The Freeze family wants people to know them not just for Ole Miss and football. Jill and the girls came up with a family vision after working on a school project. They want to be a reflection of Christ in everything they see and do and the places they go.

“That’s so hard because as soon as you say that, Satan likes to push your button.”

There’s no doubt that Jill enjoys being a coach’s wife; stating that she loved everything about it and she wouldn’t trade the life for anything.

“It’s an adventure and you get to make a difference in so many people’s lives and yours.”

The week of a road game Jill says that,

Photo by Greg Pevey

ropes course and snorkeling.

For the most part, the Freeze family attends church together. Jill and her girls go to Sunday School at North Oxford where she teaches a seventh and eighth grade girl’s class. During football season, they go to Fellowship of Christian Athletes Church afterwards with Hugh and the team.

Hugh and Jill help fund a big portion of FCA at Ole Miss.

“I think it’s a great ministry and such a huge platform, especially with our culture with professional sports. It reaches a lot

most of the time, they’re so busy that she doesn’t get stressed, but a home game is different.

“It starts the night before and it’s just like everyone else. I can’t set up our tent until 9:00. I meet my brother-in-law and his friend at the practice field where we tailgate, but that’s probably going to change. We setup five or six tents, the satellite and all of the other stuff.”

The next morning starts early, with filling all her coolers with drinks and taking them to the tents.

“I return home and Hugh and I text each other. I usually text him whatever prayer I have for him for the game or whatever verse I’ve used that week. Then it’s running around in the house trying to find the perfect outfit that matches for Ragan. She’s the one that cares and is very particular. I spend a lot of time doing that. Then the girls and I are off to tailgate until game time. I always see Hugh at the Walk of Champions and hug and kiss him. At some point we always see him again, to hug him and wish him good luck. I like to be in the stadium about an hour before. I usually go up to the box to make sure everything is ok. I don’t stay up there because I sit in the stands with the other wives. The box is too quiet and I’m a redneck. I’m usually screaming, yelling, high fiving, running up and down the stands with the other wives. You go through everything with all the wives, so when it’s game time, that’s who you want to be with while watching the game.”

“I get nervous until we score and then I can relax. When the game is over, I go on the field to see him again for a hug, win or lose.”

When it comes to her game day attire, it’s not the usual dress and heels.

“I did kind of worry about that a little bit because everyone said I had to wear this and that. I just thought, ‘I’m going to be me’, and everybody has accepted me for me. I’ve not had one time where someone says, ‘I can’t believe you’re wearing that.’”

Jill’s game day attire includes her fedora, which she wears until the Rebels lose and she gets another one. She brings Red Hots to every game, and if we’re not doing well, she has to start eating them. This way, we can get red hot again and start playing better.

“That’s really a joke because I’m usually just praying really hard. If it’s really close or bad, I’ll squat right there in the stands, no matter who’s around, and start praying.”

Jill loves her husband dearly and says there are no surprises when it comes to him.

“He is what he is and it’s been that way since I’ve known him. His walk with Christ is everything to him. I think he reflects Christ and it’s attractive. He draws others to Jesus and that’s why people like being around him.”

“When I read anything negative about him, I don’t get mad, but think to myself, ‘If you could just hang out with him for a few days you’d change your mind.’” - RN

“When I read anything negative about him, I don’t get mad, but think to myself, ‘If you could just hang out with him for a few days you’d change your mind.’” - Jill Freeze SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 - 41

REBEL LEGENDS

Follow Jeff Roberson on Twitter @SpiritJeff

Walls to be inducted into College Football Hall of Fame

Rebel All-American to receive college football’s highest honor in December

By JEFF ROBERSON Contributing Writer The Ole Miss Spirit

W

Photos courtesy Ole Miss Athletics

esley Walls is a thankful man.

Walls received word in late spring he was going to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this December in New York. Soon afterward, his thoughts turned to others.

“After I got over the initial shock and excitement,” said the former Ole Miss and NFL star, “it made me think about all the people who helped me along the way.”

The list is lengthy, and includes many from Mississippi.

Walls played high school football at South Pontotoc High before transferring to Pontotoc High for his senior season.

Then it was on to Ole Miss where he became a first-team All-American. Then after four years in Oxford, Walls had a successful 15year career in the National Football League, was a five-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl winner.

“South Pontotoc, Pontotoc, all of Pontotoc County, Ole Miss. I just want to say thank you to them all. I didn’t do this by myself,” said Walls, who lives in Charlotte, N.C., with his wife, Christy, whom he met at Ole Miss during their college years.

Walls’ life, and certainly his story, has often been about change. After moving from South Pontotoc to Pontotoc, it was his high school coach his senior year, Tommy Morton, that was an early difference-maker for him.

“Coach Morton at Pontotoc is as big a part of my college career as Coach (Billy) Brewer at Ole Miss was, if you ask me,” Walls said. “He gave me the confidence I could get to the next level. Whenever I see him I thank him every time. He really helped me mature as a football

42 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

player and a man.”

But Brewer certainly makes the list, too. It was the veteran Rebel head coach’s decision to allow Walls to not only play defense, where he had played for three seasons, but to also play on offense his senior season.

Even in 1988, having a player participate in

a game on both sides of the ball was a rarity.

The story to add tight end duties to his already successful defensive end duties went something like this, according to Walls, who recounted it all recently.

“I had a neck injury the spring of my junior year at Ole Miss, going into my senior

year,” he said. “I had worked my tail off in the weight room. I just wanted to be ready. So we’re clowning around before practice one day (in the spring), and we’d just hired Red Parker as offensive coordinator. We were seeing who could throw the ball the farthest. The quarterbacks were out there – John Darnell, Mark

Young.

“So Coach Parker saw me throw it and asked me if I’d ever played tight end. I said ‘Yes, one time in a high school all-star game.’ He asked me how I did. I told him, ‘I caught seven for 97 yards and a touchdown.’ He said, ‘That’s where you need to be. I can put you in the NFL. Give me two weeks in spring practice and you make the decision.’ So that’s what I did.”

Walls had been the ultimate team player already. To be able to play on both sides of the ball, to get that opportunity to help Ole Miss, was certainly something he welcomed.

“Coach Brewer allowed me to do it. My defensive coach, Art Kaufman, was for it. They allowed me to go play tight end. From the first play, it seemed like it was where I needed to be.”

So when fall camp rolled around, Walls was a defensive guy and now also an offensive guy.

“I decided I wanted to try it both ways,” he said. “But I didn’t want to give up on my defense, where I’d worked so hard for three years.

But I wanted to help Ole Miss at tight end, too.”

And in one memorable game, he not only did that, he helped on special teams as well.

The Rebels were playing Alabama in Tuscaloosa his senior season in 1988. It was homecoming for Alabama. The Crimson Tide athlet-

ics department and the University of Alabama were also dedicating the Paul W. “Bear” Bryant Museum that day.

The score at halftime was 0-0, and Alabama ran the opening kickoff of the second half back for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead. With the home team now clearly with the momentum on such an important day, a lesser group of Rebels might not have recovered. But this group did.

“After we tied it up, Coach Brewer came over to the bench and started pointing to some of the older players. I was one of them,” Walls said. “He told us to get out there on the kickoff return team. He wanted his best players out there. He told us they’re not beating us with another kickoff return for a touchdown.”

Wesley Walls played offense, defense, and special teams. And Ole Miss beat Alabama 2212 that day.

The Ole Miss defense did not allow a pass completion for the Crimson Tide the entire game. Walls had seven catches for 79 yards, and he also had a key quarterback sack in the victory.

“That game helped me a lot as my career moved on,” Walls said. “I caught a few passes. I had a sack. I played on special teams. I still get chill bumps thinking about it.”

He gets those same feelings when he thinks SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 - 43

of another big road win during his college career.

“It was at LSU in 1986,” he said of the day the Rebels won 21-19 in Baton Rouge. “LSU missed a last-second field goal and we won.”

Through all those years of high school and college football, Walls made a name for himself as one of the hardest workers on any of his teams. His reputation as a team leader was evident throughout, and others noticed.

“First to show up, last to leave,” was how Morton, his coach at Pontotoc, remembers it.

“I always thought Wesley was a better offensive player than he was a defensive player,” said Morton, still living in Pontotoc. “He had great hands and could really catch the football. So I wasn’t really surprised he was successful. I was probably a little surprised he was a starter at defensive end in college as quickly as he was. But I shouldn’t have been, knowing his work ethic and his ability.”

As a defensive end for the Rebels, Walls recorded 140 career tackles, including 19.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, and he led the Rebels to a win in the 1986 Independence Bowl against Texas Tech 20-17.

The 1988 team captain had 36 receptions for 426 yards and three touchdowns at tight end en route to earning Associated Press first-team All-America and All-SEC honors.

An Academic All-American and three-time academic All-Conference selection, Walls was chosen as a member of the 1980s All-SEC Team and honored as an SEC Legend in 2007.

“He was the real deal at being a student-athlete,” said Brewer, who was the head coach all four years Walls was at Ole Miss. “His GPA was extremely high, and he was a very, very intelligent guy on the field and off the field.”

Brewer recalls those spring meetings when they were trying to decide where to play Walls his senior season. It was apparent a tug of war between offensive and defensive coaches wasn’t going to resolve anything.

“We had some very lengthy discussions in the staff meetings about which side of the ball would get him,” Brewer said. “The offensive people thought we could play him at a slot or a tight end. The defensive people thought we needed him as a defensive end that could pass rush like he could and with his size. So we played him both ways, and it worked out.”

Brewer had only been the coach at Ole Miss for a couple of seasons when Walls chose the Rebels over Alabama, LSU, and plenty of others that would have loved to have had him.

“He was a big get for us,” Brewer said. “He was one of the top kids in Mississippi. One

44 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

of the first for our program since we’d gotten there.”

Langston Rogers, the Ole Miss sports information director at the time, said as Walls’ resume’ grew, so did his chances at the highest of honors for a college player.

“Since Wesley had basically removed himself from any defensive honors, we felt it was important to emphasize he was a rare two-way player at that time,” Rogers said. “He had a great year at tight end and it didn’t hurt that Billy started him both ways in the seasonopener against Memphis. It also helped his All-America push as he continued to make big plays on defense. The All-America voters, many who were probably watching the TBS telecast, saw his performance against Alabama when he caught seven passes for 79 yards and

had a key quarterback sack in the win over the Tide.”

All of which ultimately vaulted Walls into the professional ranks. Chosen by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 1989 NFL Draft, Walls enjoyed a decorated 15-year NFL career, helping the 49ers win Super Bowl XXIV during his rookie campaign.

A five-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro selection, he also played for the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers.

Wesley and Christy, a Yazoo City native, have a daughter, Jennifer, in Washington, D.C.; a daughter, Alex, in Chicago; and a son, Colton, who is a student at Ole Miss.

The Walls endowed a football scholarship at

Ole Miss. The $100,000 gift is for any Ole Miss football signee from Pontotoc County.

“We’re empty nesters now,” Wesley said of he and Christy. “We haven’t missed an Ole Miss football game the last two seasons. We bought a place in Oxford, and we’re spending about half the year there. Eventually I’m going to be fulltime in Mississippi and probably in Oxford.

We’ve found out that if you get a place in Oxford, everybody wants to come see you.”

Morton said he’s appreciative of getting to coach Walls back in the early 1980s, even for just that one season.

“He’s one of those special people. I’m thankful that we were together at a good time,” said Morton, whose team that year was upset in the first round of the playoffs, although one of Mississippi’s best teams that whole season.

“Maybe I was able to give a little guidance at a time when he needed it. And he certainly made me look like a football coach at a time when I needed it.”

They keep in touch today.

“We talk regularly,” Morton said. “When I left coaching and went into church work, Wesley was gracious to help our youth programs out some. We stay in touch, and I see him occasionally.

Wesley always remembers where he came from. He has humility that’s rare in a lot of athletes this day and time.”

Walls said for him, along with being about passion and preparation, the game was also about respect. He hopes that’s the way he’s remembered by his teammates and those he played against.

“One of those 49ers, Ronnie Lott, said to me if you play for respect, the wins, the money, everything else will come after that,” Walls said. “You go out and earn their respect. Hopefully some of the guys would say Wesley earned my respect.”

Walls will head into the College Football Hall of Fame in December, becoming the 11th Ole Miss Rebel to enter. One of these already enshrined is the man who alerted Walls he’d made it.

Archie Manning is the chairman of the National Football Foundation.

“I knew I was nominated and I had been nominated before,” Walls said. “When it was announced this spring that I’d made it, I got a call from Archie giving me the great news.

Having him give me a call made me go full circle back to my decision to even go to Ole Miss. One of your idols and heroes giving you the news made it even more special.”

And gave Walls yet another reason to be thankful these days. - RN

ers can’t leave the locker room for the field or vice-versa without passing by the bust of ing. As for his teammates, having managed Chucky. A quick touch on his head reminds their way through three final regular season all that pass by to both never quit and to algames with heavy hearts, there was suddenly ways play with his same kind of pride and reason to rejoice. Reason to be excited. Their passion. And they just never know when it teammate, friend and strongest supporter might provide them with a favorable bounce was there in a defining moment for the team. or call here or there.

It was like old times.

As for the students that decide to become part of the Ole Miss family each fall as enImagining the tering freshmen or transfer students, they’re Possibilities exposed to Chucky, too. As a part of the Chucky Mullins would have been 45 years University’s Ole Miss Experience course, old this year. Just knowing what kind of imThe Chucky Mullins Story: Undefeated pact he made on Rebel Nation in the brief documentary is shown. It’s almost become amount of time donned the red and blue, it’s a rite of passage in truly becoming an Ole hard not to imagine what he might be doing Miss Rebel, no different than learning Hotty with his life in 2014.

Toddy. For the Chucky Mullins story is as inAs a redshirt freshman tegral to what makes in 1989, he was beginning Ole Miss, Ole Miss.

Unknowingly doing so, to make his mark as a risJust as the columns ing star in the SEC. Had he Chucky was teaching on the Lyceum. been able to finish out his In terms of the remaining three years of those around him much, thousands of people eligibility with the Rebels, who have tailgated much more than they he very well could have in the Grove over positioned himself for a could have ever picked the past 25 years, the chance at an NFL career. spirit of No, 38 may Unfortunately, we’ll never up from a lecture or read in fact be most eviknow for sure. dent and alive across in a book.

In seeing his However, what’s more those 10 hallowed important to consider positive attitude and milacres of tailgating is what No. 38 might be bliss. Sure, most Ole doing today? His over- lion dollar smile, despite Miss fans spending whelming energy and pasa day in the Grove everything he faced and sion for Ole Miss and the know about Chucky game of football makes might face down the Mullins. But that’s me feel strongly that he not the case with the would be playing a major road, students, faculty majority of visitors role in the resurrection and opposing teams’ and staff were served of Rebel football under fans wandering Hugh Freeze. a daily reminder of how through the Grove.

Can’t you just imagine Knowing that and Chucky and Coach Freeze to truly put things into wishing for guests together? What a pair they to always leave havperspective. would make. ing felt welcomed Maybe Chucky would and knowledgehave been a secondary coach for the Rebels. able about some of the things that make Maybe he would have been a key recruiter Rebel football special, it’s not uncommon to for the football team. walk by a random tent and overhear menMaybe he would have been part of the tion of “Chucky” or “No. 38” among topics athletics development team at UMAA. of conversation. To Ole Miss fans, there’s a Maybe he would be an Academic Advisor great deal of pride felt in being able to share for student-athletes on campus.

Chucky’s story with others.

While we’ll never know exactly where his Furthermore, the overall vibe of famlife may have taken him, there’s no question ily, friends, fun and passion that defines the it would be around the place he loved with Grove on Saturdays in the fall embodies the all his heart: Ole Miss. While he passed away spirit of Chucky Mullins. Twenty-five years in Oxford on May 6, 1991, Chucky’s spirit after Roy Lee “Chucky” Mullins left this has actually never left. earth, his spirit remains alive and well at Ole His energy, spirit and never quit attitude Miss. For that, Chucky would be proud. will forever be present every time the Rebels On this 25th anniversary, Chucky, we put on the pads. And when they’re playing thank you for all you continue to mean to in the Vaught, Ole Miss coaches and playOle Miss. - RN CHUCKY - Continued from Page 37

BIANCO - Continued from Page 29

runs coming home. In the same play, a fielding error caused Perdzock to advance to third and another run scored for the Rebels. J.B. Woodman added another run to the thrilling inning with a sacrifice fly to left field, driving in Perdzock, and giving the Rebels a comfortable six run lead.

It was clear now that these Rebels were serious. This team, a team that had surpassed all preseason critism, was now three outs away from advancing to the College World Series. Mike Bianco stood on the edge of the dugout awaiting anxiously as he sent Josh Laxer back to the mound for the save.

After a fly out to centerfield in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Rebels were one out away from advancing to Omaha. Mike Bianco now stood in the dogout awaiting even more anxiously. While pacing back-and-forth a few times, calling a few signals to the fielders, Bianco knew that this had to be his team’s moment for glory.

Caleb Adams stood at the plate for the Cajuns.

He was their final hope. On the first pitch from Laxer, Adams took a ball one. Then, Adams drove a grounder on the next pitch to shortstop Errol Robinson. Robinson beamed it to Sikes Orvis at firstbase for the final out. Josh Laxer dropped to his knees with a roar of excitement. The field was immedately swarmed by dog piling Rebel players. The Ole Miss Rebels had finally done it!

For the first time in 42 years, they were heading to Omaha to play in the College World Series.

Through fourteen years of countless NCAA Tournament berths and disappointing heartbreaks, that moment had finally come for Mike Bianco. For the first time in Bianco’s career as a head coach, he had finally sent a team to Omaha.

Moments after the game, Bianco had this to say to reporters, “the road to the College World Series is one that’s bumpy and winding. I didn’t expect it to take this long to get there,” he said, “but you have to have a special group to do that and this is certainly a special group. We talked about it in the fall and then in the preseason. I’m really proud of this team.”

The Ole Miss Rebels did not just get to Omaha and get easily put away. After suffering a loss to Viriginia (an old nemesis if you recall), the Rebels went on to beat Texas Tech and TCU to advance to the semi-finals of the College World Series stage. They would meet Virginia again, needing two wins over the Cavaliers to advance to the College World Series championship. They would once again fall short to Virginia (ending the season tied for third in the College World Series) and their amazing journey had come to an end. It was one hell of a ride.

For Mike Bianco, that ride lifted his coaching career on a new pedestal. He was now the alltime winningest coach in Ole Miss sports history, with SEC titles, dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, and now a College World Series appearance under his belt. Do these achievements make Mike Bianco the greatest coach in Ole Miss sports history? Many define greatness by the amount of national championships you win. So, then one would say Johnny Vaught is the greatest of all-time. These two coaches come from different eras in time. Therefore, it is easy to say, that Mike Bianco is the greatest Ole Miss head coach of the modern era. - RN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 - 45

REBEL NATION

Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s THE MAN Ole Miss pole vaulter Sam Kendricks is on top of the World as he brings home consecutive NCAA titles

BY JOHN DAVIS

Contributing Writer - Oxford Citizen Photos by Joshua McCoy, Ole Miss Athletics

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REBEL TRACK & FIELD - SAM KENDRICKS >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>

The title of the nation’s best pole vaulter now belongs to Ole Miss junior Sam Kendricks.

The Oxford native won every title he could possibly win this season, finishing first at the SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, first at the NCAA Championships and first in the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships.

For Kendricks, competing, and then defeating, some of the vaulters he grew up learning his craft from over the past decade was a completely different feeling altogether.

While in Sacramento, Calif., at the USA meet, Kendricks had a chance to spend time with legends like Tim Mack, and get their thoughts on his performance. It’s an experience he will never be forget.

“It was hot in Sacramento. There were 18 guys there and 10 of them have been competing for 10 years in the pole vault,” Kendricks said. “These are guys that I learned to watch in videos when they were just out of college. These guys, they have been in the game a long time. After I won, my back was hurting. I went up to award stand. I was trying to drink water so I could perform for the drug test and I was laying on my back on the floor, trying to make my back stop hurting and who comes and sits down next to me?

The last American to win the gold in the pole vault, Tim Mack.”

The encounter also included Jeff Hartwig, who competed in the Olympics and was a previous American record holder in the pole vault. They both told Kendricks their thoughts on how he performed.

“That was the coolest thing ever,” Kendricks said. “I hate to say it, but I was fangirling over these guys. I had the Olympic champion and the American record holder right next to me and I said ‘What am I doing here?’ To be the American champion this year is more of a shock to me than the NCAA champion because we had been there before or the SEC champion because we had been there before. I’ve only attempted the USA Championship twice, last year and this year. And to be able to be the champion this year, that’s something I’ll take to my grave. It’s very, very special.”

Kendricks has been in rare company ever since he got to Ole Miss, but his latest achievements only make his brilliant career shine brighter. He is the first athlete to win the USA title, and the NCAA title, since Lawrence Johnson accomplished the feat in

Follow John Davis on Twitter @OxfordCitizenJD

1996 when he was at Tennessee.

The feedback Kendricks got from the best of the best at the meet was that somebody was going to have to beat him.

“The Tennessee coach said that ‘Sam, for somebody to beat you, they’re going to have to beat you because there isn’t going to be a day where you’re not up there,’” Kendricks said. “He said that he wasn’t going to put his money against me because I’ve always come through and I thought that was very special.”

Now that the spring has turned to summer, Kendricks’ focus turned to fulfilling his commitment to the U.S. Army. He is a member of the ROTC program at Ole Miss and spent the month before school started again in the fall training in Fort Knox, Ky. “I leave Sunday for cadet training and I will be gone until August 5th and then we’ll start season training again,” said Kendricks, who also talked about the balance of being an athlete and student involved in the ROTC program. “Being a student-athlete, and a student, it’s tough for most people.

You throw in ROTC and you just have to balance things more. I’m not going to say I’m better or worse than any student-athlete, but it definitely gives you an aspect of performance. I have to do my best in this area, this area and this area. And I don’t want to sacrifice in any of it. When I look at a professional athlete, whose job is to jump as high as he can for whoever he’s jumping for, he’s at a disadvantage because he’s not put the test every single day and week with these requirements. I count that as an advantage

to myself.”

Kendricks has one more year left at Ole Miss and then after that, he will have some choices to make in regards to his future as a vaulter.

“I definitely still want to be a world-class athlete and be a part of the Army. I could drop the whole athletic scene and just go be an officer. There are a couple of choices there,” Kendricks said. “I want to continue vaulting, that’s my prerogative. But I see it as an advantage for me to split my time.”

The World Championships will be held in Beijing, China in August of 2015 and Kendricks said he pushed back his officer training in order to compete for Team USA. “If I get lucky enough to make the USA team, I’m going to be able to go do that in Beijing,” Kendricks said. “That would be awesome.”

And when it comes to talking about the Olympics in 2016, Kendricks said he was open.

“The actual time before the event concerns me more than the event,” he said. “A lot of people that aren’t immersed in the track world thinks the Olympics is all there is. That’s not me. I want jump in 20 meets for Ole Miss before I graduate. And then I want to compete through the summer up until the World Championships. I just like to compete. If I can compete 25 times next year and then 25 times before the Olympics the next year, that would be great. That means I would have 50 more experiences before I got to the Olympics, which would help my chances.” - RN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 - 47

RED SOLO CUP

Follow Bob Lynch on Twitter @RedCupRebellion

BOB LYNCH

L

Established Brand

oyal readers of this column and my writings elsewhere know that I am a part of the vast network of Ole Miss Rebel Diaspora spread throughout the United States. While our hearts lie in Oxford, Mississippi, our physical beings take up space in places like Washington, New York, Atlanta, Dallas, and Chicago. We’re still loyal Rebel alumni and fans, even though few of us live within a day’s drive of the Ole Miss campus.

Being that we are far removed from Mississippi and, in my cases, SEC football country, we have slowly realized something that I believe the Ole Miss athletics administration is just now starting to get a grip on. It’s become apparent that Ole Miss lacks good national exposure enjoyed by many other SEC schools, but thankfully Athletics Director Ross Bjork and his staff are working hard to remedy that.

What is meant by this “national exposure” that I’m arguing Ole Miss could use more of? It’s big things – like features on national television and in nationwide publications – and little things – like seeing Ole Miss merchandise for sale well outside of Mississippi.

Take athletics programs like Michigan, Duke, and Alabama. You can find Michigan Wolverines apparel in sporting goods stores in New York and Los Angeles. Duke basketball is a constant fixture of any reputable news outlet’s sports section. And Alabama football is an internationally recognized brand in its own right, with houndstooth-clad, “Roll Tide”

48 - REBEL NATION MAGAZINE

shouting fans filling sports bars and stadiums wherever the Crimson Tide plays.

Ole Miss as a brand is nowhere close to those types of programs, nor will it ever be barring the university doubling in size and it’s sports teams winning a handful of consecutive national championships.

But, the Ole Miss brand can become more nationally relevant, recognized, and valuable if the ongoing efforts of this athletics administration continue.

First, the Ole Miss football and basketball teams need to continue playing marquee matchups outside of Oxford.

Last season’s win over Texas in Austin definitely serves this end, as did this season’s opening games against Boise State and Vanderbilt in NFL stadiums. Now, with the SEC’s requirement that its football teams play at least one non-SEC opponent from a “power five” conference, we should expect the program to pursue opportunities to play outside of the SEC’s traditional footprint, particularly out west against a Pac 12 opponent – none of which, by the way, have ever played Ole Miss.

The same goes for basketball and baseball. Getting to postseason play is obviously the most important thing those sports teams can do to promote the Ole Miss brand, but regular season games designed to draw sizable television markets should be readily pursued.

Second, consistent yet unique branding needs to be a priority. I like the block “M” logo on the Ole Miss Rebel baseball team’s caps and

helmets, but outside of that we should not deviate from the script “Ole Miss” as our primary logo. In addition, as nit-picky as it may sound, we should consistently use the same shades of red and blue.

A deviation here and there is fine – for example, with the use of sky or “baby” blue – but

Ultimately though, the one thing that our school and athletics programs can do to promote a strong, consistent, unified Ole Miss brand is to win. With regards to the university, this means winning in recruiting top-notch students and faculty, and winning in producing excellent scholarship through research. With regards to sports, it means, well, winning. when walking into Rebel Rags or University Sporting Goods, we don’t need twenty different reds or blues to choose from, nor do we need a dozen different logos and symbols.

Cardinal red, navy blue, script “Ole Miss” – that’s us.

Third, the University, Oxford, and Ole Miss athletics need to continue to milk positive press and promote all of the good things we are doing and creating. This includes boasting of the research done at the Cochran Center or UMMC, using outlets such as the Travel Channel and Food Network to promote Oxford as the top-tier college town it is, and taking advantage of opportunities presented by ESPN and CNN to promote Ole Miss athletics. The 2013 recruiting class certainly helped promote Ole Miss from coast to coast, as did Morgan Spurlock’s episode of “Inside Man” filmed mostly on the Ole Miss campus. These little things keep Ole Miss in the public eye and allow the university to better raise

money and recruit students, athletes, and faculty.

Ultimately though, the one thing that our school and athletics programs can do to promote a strong, consistent, unified Ole Miss brand is to win. With regards to the university, this means winning in recruiting top-notch students and faculty, and winning in producing excellent scholarship through research. With regards to sports, it means, well, winning. When you look at programs that have just recently established themselves as national brands, such as Oregon or Boise State, you see programs that have consistently put winners on the field or court. Of course, they’ve been smart in establishing and marketing their brands, but those brands have benefitted tremendously from the exposure that good sports teams get you.

This success begets success, and this exposure begets exposure, and then you have taken what is an undoubtedly strong regional brand and turned it into a strong national brand. Then, Ole Miss will be even more competitive in attracting everything from highly regarded academics to five-star football players.

Thankfully, this is something that Ross Bjork and Dan Jones fully understand, as evidenced by their efforts to affirm the best qualities of Ole Miss and use a consistent marketing strategy to promote the Rebel brand. Everything from stadium improvements and campus beautification to Hugh Freeze’s excellent working relationship with ESPN serve to demonstrate that, with regards to establishing the Rebel brand, we’re heading in the right direction.

If we keep improving like I expect we will, then soon enough those of us spread far and wide won’t have to look too hard to find Ole Miss apparel, football games, or fans. - RN