Arkansas Still Needs A Football Coach
December 4th, 2007 at 4:35 pmBy Chris
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So Razorback fans, how’s that new coach search going? I would like to issue some congratulatory praise after striking out on your first two choices: Tommy Tuberville and Tommy Bowden. Ever since the Razorback governing bodies decided to tell Houston Nutt where to go (you don’t think the resignation was his idea, do you?), the alumni have, much like Marsellus Wallace, been scouring the earth looking for a warm-bodied replacement for the coach that brought Darren McFadden and Felix Jones to Fayetteville.
And much like Wallace’s speech to Butch warned us, it seems like those holding the strings at Arkansas fell victim to pride. What other reason did they have for wanting Nutt to leave? Back-to-back bowl eligible seasons? Recruiting a Heisman-worthy running back who’ll probably be one of the top picks in the NFL draft once he decides to leave? Or how about recruiting his back-up, Felix Jones, a player who would also be getting Heisman consideration if he didn’t play behind McFadden? Are these the removable issues that worried Razorbacks alums and fan alike?
Actually, the were a lot of reasons why the fanbase and the administration were at odds with Coach Nutt, although, I’m not quite sure I can put them in my own words… Let’s see what one of the prominent Razorback bloggers thinks:
We’ve been criticized by some for being too hard on Nutt, but why then, does it seem like everytime we try and write something positive, he makes us regret it? We believed what we wrote after that press conference, but when the dust settled and the money was all counted up, Nutt duped us and countless others.
Don’t spit in our face and tell us it’s frosting.
Woo, Pig! Sooie indeed.
Obviously, Arkansas fans were ready for a change. However, I’m not quite sure what it is they are reaching for. Are they trying to recapture the glory of 1965, something they haven’t done since? Or are they tired of seeing NFL-quality running backs in the Razorbacks’ backfield?
Good luck on your search guys, it sounds like you are going to need it.
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December 4th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
First off, you’re giving Nutt too much credit for bringing D-Mac to Fayetteville. He would have come even if my left nut was running the show. If Houston hadn’t caused all the off-the-field commotion, he would still have a job at Arkansas. We’ll get a coach eventually, and for the record, no one outside the administration wanted Tommy Bowden.
No one thinks we’re going to contend for a national championship every year, but is it too much for us to want a coach who can get us into a BCS bowl at least once a decade?
December 4th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
As a Kentucky fan, I understand your pain, but it seems like he’s still being held responsible for the Mitch Mustain mess. Only 10 teams make the BCS and only two of those will be allowed from the SEC, meaning you are going to forever have to compete with the Floridas, the LSUs, the Georgias and the Tennessees of the world just to make the BCS dance… never an easy task.
It seems like having a coach that challenges for an SEC West title while bringing in Heisman-caliber running backs is a good start.
I think I’m just surprised that you all wanted him gone so badly.
Thanks for the comment.
December 4th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Once a decade, Hog Blogger? I think Kentucky fans would settle for a BCS bowl once a generation.
December 4th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
The mustain mess was the fault of the nutt. 7 and 0 and he throws one interception and he gets pulled for the season.
And what’s with fourth down and 7 in overtime and mcfadden and Jones are not on the field?
Go hogs!
Boo Kentucky!
December 4th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Wait, so he shouldn’t be held responsible for bringing in four recruits under the pretense of running their offense, and then demoting the coach he hired to bring them in after he revitalizes the offense and is named Rivals.com’s Offensive Coordinator of the Year? (run-on alert)
Bringing Mustain, Malzahn and Co. saved his job two years ago. Now, because of Nutt and Nutt alone, they ended up costing him that very job.
Obviously, Hog fans are insane.
December 4th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
Hog Blogger:
The head coach always gets the credit in recruiting and also the blame. Just ask Tubby Smith. And Stan Heath. Mustain’s parents were as much at fault for what happened as Nutt was and the fact that he can bring in such talent is indeed a bonus, ESPECIALLY in the SEC.
Perhaps you all should’ve had a better season this year but that’s on Casey Dick as much as it Nutt, isn’t it? He never progressed into an SEC-caliber QB, making games like South Carolina the exception, not the norm.
I’m just wondering what kind of coach you all are looking for. Do you want an established coach or are you looking for someone that’s up-and-coming?
Aaron:
42-29.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:36 am
At what point are people going to stop blaming Casey Dick? Who’s fault is it that this team hasn’t had a real passer since Clint Stoerner in 1999?
There’s a reason Nutt has a reputation among Hog fans as “The QB Killa.” His elementary passing schemes make it impossible for any passer to succeed, and his utilization of talent in that area couldn’t be poorer.
In 2001, Tarvaris Jackson came to campus. Nutt decided to start Matt Jones, and never let Jackson see the field. Jackson then transferred to Alabama State. In case you don’t play fantasy football, he currently starts for the Minnesota Vikings. Sure, he’s not a great NFL QB, but the fact that he can call himself one makes him better than about 99.99% of the other guys on earth who get behind center.
In other words, Nutt chased off an NFL QB, and started an NFL receiver (who, I might add, is 6-6 and runs a 4.2 40) as his QB. Yeah, that’s a great idea. Jones was a great athlete, but a terrible passer. What would have happened if Jackson had been tossing him balls? I highly doubt we would have finished sub-.500 in his senior season.
Keep in mind, this is all microanalysis, a small part of a much, much bigger problem. Nutt had plenty of issues before he had even met any of the Springdale guys.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:55 am
I understand your disposition, Hog and you make very good points. Again I ask, what kind of coach are you looking for?
December 11th, 2007 at 11:49 am
[...] Arkansas finally found their new football coach? With Houston Nutt leaving for Ole Miss, the fact Arkansas hadn’t filled this spot was surprising. Thanks to EDSBS, we now have word the Razorbacks may be closing in on hiring a [...]