EXCLUSIVE

Ole Miss football coach Hugh Freeze says he does NOT want to testify in the Laremy Tunsil domestic violence civil case ... citing concerns that his testimony might be used in an NCAA investigation.

First, some background ...

Tunsil is being sued by his stepfather, who claims Laremy beat him up back in 2015 -- after he accused Laremy of violating NCAA rules.

For his part, Laremy ferociously disputes the allegations ... claiming he only got physical with the stepdad after he saw the guy shove his mother during an argument.

The stepdad now wants to depose Laremy's college football coach Hugh Freeze -- believing he has information that will help prove his story.

But Freeze doesn't want that to happen -- and has filed court docs to block the deposition -- in part because "at this time, the NCAA is considering allegations against the University and its football program, including allegations related to [Tunsil]."

He does not expand on the allegations.

Freeze says he's concerned that any information from the deposition could be accessed by NCAA investigators and possibly used against him ... and he doesn't believe that's fair.

If the judge DOES force Freeze to testify, he at least wants the transcripts sealed to prevent the NCAA from getting their hands on it.