Commentary by Steve Vassallo
Jim Carroll, native of Hernando and now resident of Oxford, has been following Ole Miss football “religiously” since the 1950′s.
Fortunately or unfortunately Jim attended one of the most significant games in the history of college football when Billy Cannon defeated the Rebs 7-3 on Halloween night in 1959. “It was a tough loss for me as my uncle (we stayed
at his home) was a huge LSU fan and my cousin was the Head Drum Majorette for LSU,” Jim recalled. “I had to accept the punishment they spooned out even though I knew we were the better team.”
Through the years, Carroll has gotten past this momentous loss (Ole Miss came back to defeat LSU in the Sugar Bowl 21-0 following the 1959 season), but has never lost his passion for cheering against the Bengals.
Turning the clock to 2014, expectations are running high throughout Rebel Nation. Jim Carroll conveys that optimism along with the multitudes. This is mainly because of the tremendous success that Coach Freeze and his staff have experienced over the past two seasons, which includes two bowl victories (Pitt and Georgia Tech) and arguably the top recruiting class (2013) in Ole Miss history.
Carroll was asked about the success Coach Freeze has experienced.”Honesty, integrity and winning the right way has been exemplified by Coach Freeze and his staff,” he said. “Football is the greatest character-builder in the nation. The Ole Miss program is getting better and better. We all recognize this and so do our opponents.”
Carroll played high school football in Hernando and still follows Mississippi high school gridiron action closely. When asked how he became such an intense follower and supporter of the Rebels, Carroll responded:
“Growing up in Hernando we were truly country boys in a country town and going to Oxford to see Ole Miss play was as exciting to us as attending an event at Madison Square Garden (New York City). Coach Vaught was a role model for our entire team.”
Carroll is anticipating what could become the greatest Ole Miss football season since the 1962 National Championship team. “I am expecting an undefeated season,” he said confidentially.
There are many minefields ahead, however, that the Rebels must navigate to reach Jim Carroll’s “Promised Land.” Starting Oct. 4, the Rebels begin a five-game stretch that most coaching staffs would classify as a nightmare. Included in this part of the schedule, are home games vs. Alabama, Tennessee and Auburn with road games sprinkled in vs.Texas A&M and Carroll’s favorite team to despise, LSU!
In addition to this task, the Rebs still must conquer Boise State in the Atlanta season opener; Vanderbilt on the road (again) in Nashville; Arkansas in Fayetteville; and arch rival MSU here in Oxford.
Jim and his lovely wife, Caroline, also have added incentive to cheer the Rebels on to victory Nov. 22 in Fayetteville, Ark., as they have a beautiful mountain resort home on the White River (the roof is Ole Miss “red” which can be seen for miles!) not far from Mountain Home, Ark. Regardless of the outcome of the slate for Freeze’s 2014 team, Carroll will return faithfully when 2015 rolls around.
And even if the Rebs don’t achieve the greatness of going undefeated, you can bet Jim Carroll will be all smiles to see the Egg Bowl Trophy return to the IPF. His smile will be even brighter with another victory originating from Tiger Stadium.
Jim Carroll also serves as an Adjunct Law Professor at the Ole Miss Law School.
Steve Vassallo is HottyToddy.com’s newest contributor. Steve will be writing on Ole Miss athletics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie.