UMHB Notebook: Fredenburg back in the saddle after hospital stay Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 10 2009 05:08 AM By Angel Verdejo
Killeen Daily Herald

Mary Hardin-Baylor coach Pete Fredenburg was back in the office Monday, getting back into his work routine after not just missing a few days last week, but the Crusaders' game Saturday as well. Fredenburg experienced shortness of breath early last week and spent three nights at Temple's Scott & White Hospital. He was then ordered by doctors to rest at home, thus missing the Crusaders' 45-7 win on the road over Howard Payne.

"That was the most agonizing week of my life," Fredenburg said. "But I'm better. I had incredible care and incredible prayers. It's just amazing the number of people that made themselves an impact in my life, but the doctors say that as long as I can get my blood regulated, I'm going to be fine.

"That's the process right now. We're just trying to thin that out."

Being back at work also means Fredenburg will be getting back to work. He spent time with his staff Monday before going to the hospital, but he purposely stayed away from the team and let his staff take care of things.

"I didn't want to get involved because the worst thing a head coach can do is be halfway participating," he said. "You have to either be all or not. Our guys have tremendous confidence in our coaches and they did a great job. I didn't want to meddle unless I could really get involved and unfortunately I couldn't."

Fredenburg has an appointment today and said he hopes on being at Saturday's regular-season finale at home Sul Ross State. He didn't totally miss the Crusaders' win though, as Fredenburg listened to the radio broadcast.

"I don't want to do that again," Fredenburg said. "I had my cell phone. They actually called me at halftime."

Penalty woes

Penalties are continuing to be an issue for the Crusaders, who are nowaveraging more than 97 yards of penalty yards per game to just 59 yards for their opponents.

UMHB beat Howard Payne by 38 points, but the Crusaders were penalized 18 times for 228 yards. It was their second straight game with double-digit penalties. They had 13 for 108 yards Oct. 31 against East Texas Baptist.

Fredenburg pointed to UMHB's opening three drives Saturday, when the offense had just one penalty in taking a 21-0 lead. It quickly turned as the Crusaders had seven penalties in the second quarter.

"You lose a little focus, you kind of get a little relaxed and instead of moving your feet, you just grab hold of somebody," Fredenburg said. "Those are things you just have to eliminate, and if you're focused in and you're really executing, you don't do those things."

Playoff picture

UMHB was sixth in the South Region in Wednesday's NCAA Division III regional rankings and doesn't control its playoff destiny, but Fredenburg said he thinks the Crusaders are still in good position to make the postseason.

The Crusaders are the currently the highest-rated Pool C team in the South Region, putting UMHB in strong position to receive an at-large bid. If the American Southwest Conference standings finish as they are, Mississippi

College would get the automatic bid (one of 23 conference champions). From there, three bids go to Pool B teams and the remaining six to Pool C teams. UMHB in essence, would have to be passed over six times to not reach the playoffs.

The region rankings will come out Wednesday for the final time, while the official playoff field is released Sunday. "We think we're one of the premier programs in the country, so we expect to be in," Fredenburg said.

"Now we have been fooled before and we do not control our own destiny, so that makes you nervous."

Contact Angel Verdejo at averdejo@kdhnews.com

or (254) 501-7564.