Your husband is misinformed.
A mix of antifreeze and water, required for several important reasons, provides:
1: Freeze protection
2: A raised boiling point for the coolant (extra protection for overheating)
3: Rust inhibitors and acid neutralizers (both of which naturally build up over time).
4: Water pump bearing lubricant
5: And there are some other benefits that escape me at the moment.
You do want the antifreeze in your coolant.