By Bill Sorrell for BP Sports

Arkansas State University coach Hugh Freeze says he has vowed to share the gospel with every player he coaches.

At Andy’s Frozen Custard in Jonesboro, Ark., an addition to the menu has been selling like hotcakes since it was introduced at an Arkansas State University power breakfast this summer.

Similar to a strawberry milkshake but with a lighter taste, the vanilla custard drink blends strawberry syrup and soda water. It has been named “Andy’s Coach Freeze” in tribute to Hugh Freeze, who was introduced as Arkansas State University’s 27th head football coach in December 2010.

Freeze also has his own shake at Arkansas State. As music sounds in the locker room after wins, Freeze shows players his moves with a spirited victory dance that has been caught on tape.

There has been a whole lot of shaking going on in Jonesboro this fall.

The Red Wolves, who started the season 1-2 but have since won seven straight, will have their first winning season since a 6-5 record in 1995. It’s been 24 years since they last won eight games in a season (they’re 8-2 as of Nov. 17). They may win the Sun Belt Conference and will go to a bowl game for the first time since 2005.

“There is so much positive energy around here now. You can just tell the difference,” said senior linebacker Demario Davis. “Players are not just trying to win football games; they are growing in character. The biggest difference is that God is the center of this team. Jesus is doing this for His glory. We are just His instruments.”

Freeze, who was hired in spring 2010 as offensive coordinator and engineered a leap from 95th in total offense among Football Bowl Subdivision teams to 43rd while setting nine school records, gives God credit for success.

“It’s God’s goodness and favor,” Freeze said. “I tell my team that all the time. Why God has chosen to be good to me, I’m not exactly sure. I have so many faults and failures like most of us in this journey, but His goodness overwhelms me.”

The state president of the Baptist Student Union while a senior at Southern Mississippi in 1991-92, Freeze was licensed to preach by his home church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, in Independence, Miss., in 1991. Freeze became a Christian when he was 7.

He and his wife, Jill, and daughters Jordan, Ragan and Madison are members of Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro.

Ultimately more important than teaching his players x’s and o’s, Freeze wants to introduce them to Jesus Christ.

“The fact that God has put me and the staff in a position of leadership … carries with it a burden that you want to be found faithful,” Freeze said. “Hopefully, you can give them the greatest gift of all time, that being a relationship with Jesus Christ.

“I made a vow to God that I would never coach a kid who did not hear the plan of salvation.”

The former recruiting coordinator at Ole Miss, Freeze, 42, was the high school coach of NFL player Michael Oher, who was featured in the book and movie “The Blind Side.” Freeze preaches that his players have a God who loves them “more than they will ever know” and insists that his staff model the idea that there is “something different about us that inspires them to seek what that is.”

Success follows those who “walk the walk” with Christ, said center Tom Castilaw, who was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA and was named to the Sun Belt pre-season all-conference team.

“We know that nothing happens outside of God’s will, and nothing happens outside of Christ’s reign,” Castilaw said. “Any time there is success, it’s easy to say, ‘I am awesome; this is cool,’ and kind of forget God. We are constantly brought back to the point, ‘Let’s give God the glory for this.’ Coach Freeze wants to build a winning program, but his focus is ‘Let’s glorify Christ with our lives.’”

First published in the Arkansas Baptist News. Reprinted with permission.