Head Hog

[Rocksalt]

I may be opening a shit box, but there is nothing else to do on a Monday morning. Any thoughts/hopes/predictions on the next football coach?

Personally, I want Les Miles. If the hatter came to AR, I’d go apeshit.

[Baconman]

Nothing wrong with Miles! But the locals would go BSC with his present record at Kansas!

[Ruston]

I read a recent article that said Arkansas might want to follow the “Cutcliffe-Duke” model. Find an older coach who can still coach and recruit, and who would be willing to stay for 10+ years. That is; not use AR as a step to a better job. It makes sense. At the time he was hired at Duke, Cutcliff said “ 7 wins at Tennessee gets you fired. 7 wins at Duke gets you a statue”. He wasn’t wrong. Arkansas is more akin to Duke than TN, regardless of what folks here might think. AR should expect 7-8 wins every year, with every 4-5 years (with a senior laden O-Line) jump up to compete for a Division title. Those that think AR should be competing for SEC titles every year are delusional.

That said, the “Hot Coordinator” route won’t work. They come here and get to 7-8 wins, they are gone to a bigger/better job. Same with the “Group of 5 Success” coaches. AR isn’t going to pull a sitting Power 5 HC from their spot (Bielema not withstanding). So we need to look for an out-of-work HC, or an older coordinator with HC experience, who would be interested in a low pressure, out of the way job to ride into retirement in 20-20 years.

Some have mentioned Mike Leach from Washington State is looking to make a move, since his AD moved on. I have seen Butch Jones mentioned, but I think he would move on if he had any type of success.

I think Nutt wouldn’t be a bad choice. If people can get over themselves, he would settle in for the duration.

[Rocksalt]

If Nutt were hired, the Hill would be burned down by an angry mob. Nothing against HN, but we were mediorce for 8 years, so why go back to that?

I like the idea of an older, more established coach like Leach. I've heard Mike Norvell many times. I'm sure he's a good coach, but we cant have someone to come in and try to establish themselves in the SEC. We tried that with Morris.

[maximus]

Kiffin.

[Baconman]

Kiffin is another Petrino in waiting. I like him but he would rub people the wrong way.

[arealone]

Best suggestion I've seen so far is to keep Lunny and let him prove himself. Don't sign some 10M contract with him, just let him prove it. As long as you win you can stay. A few things he's got going for him is A. He's originally from AR, B. He played for the Razorbacks in a losing season. C. He bleeds Razorback red. Of course I really don't care ever since HN said that he deserved a better bowl game when he played MN in the music city bowl. I was so happy that the Gophers beat his dumb ass.

The sad thing about this thread is that we are talking about a losing football program when we should be talking about the hobby.

[Ruston]

Originally Posted by Rocksalt

If Nutt were hired, the Hill would be burned down by an angry mob. Nothing against HN, but we were mediorce for 8 years, so why go back to that?

I like the idea of an older, more established coach like Leach. I've heard Mike Norvell many times. I'm sure he's a good coach, but we cant have someone to come in and try to establish themselves in the SEC. We tried that with Morris.

Not wanting Nutt for whatever reason, I can understand, but let’s get some facts: 1) he was here for 10 seasons; 2) he was 75-48 over those 10 seasons a .610 winning percentage; 3) only two other coaches in AR history have lasted over 10 years: Frank Broyles (19 years, 144-58, .708 WP), and Fred Thomson (13 years, 56-61, .480WP). 4) Nutt is #2 in number of wins all-time. 5) went to bowl games 7 out of 10 years. Would have been 8 except folks got their panties ina bunch and ran him out at the end of the season.

All thar sounds about as good as can be expected at AR.

Norvell might make a good hire, but he is young enough that he would be snatched up by a bigger program if he has Nutt-level success.

[Rocksalt]

Originally Posted by Ruston

Not wanting Nutt for whatever reason, I can understand, but let’s get some facts: 1) he was here for 10 seasons; 2) he was 75-48 over those 10 seasons a .610 winning percentage; 3) only two other coaches in AR history have lasted over 10 years: Frank Broyles (19 years, 144-58, .708 WP), and Fred Thomson (13 years, 56-61, .480WP). 4) Nutt is #2 in number of wins all-time. 5) went to bowl games 7 out of 10 years. Would have been 8 except folks got their panties ina bunch and ran him out at the end of the season.

All thar sounds about as good as can be expected at AR.

Norvell might make a good hire, but he is young enough that he would be snatched up by a bigger program if he has Nutt-level success.

Your facts are correct. I'll give you that.

I just think it would look bad on us to go back to a guy we had 12 years ago who hasn't coached in 8.

Despite his accomplishments, I think it would send a message to Hog fans that basically says: When we had HN, we topped out. We are going back to that, but wont ever be better.

I think Yurachek knows that if he doesn't knock it out of the park with the new coach, his ass is gone as well.

[Baconman]

Here's someone nobody mentions for obvious reasons. Anderson at Arkansas State.

[Ruston]

Originally Posted by Rocksalt

Your facts are correct. I'll give you that.

I just think it would look bad on us to go back to a guy we had 12 years ago who hasn't coached in 8.

Despite his accomplishments, I think it would send a message to Hog fans that basically says: When we had HN, we topped out. We are going back to that, but wont ever be better.

I think Yurachek knows that if he doesn't knock it out of the park with the new coach, his ass is gone as well.

If they can find someone to win 8 games a year, they should break the bank to keep him. Build a statue, name a building, whatever it takes. 8 wins consistently is the best AR can do. Sorry if that hurts feelings.

[Rocksalt]

Originally Posted by Ruston

If they can find someone to win 8 games a year, they should break the bank to keep him. Build a statue, name a building, whatever it takes. 8 wins consistently is the best AR can do. Sorry if that hurts feelings.

I agree with you on that 100%. I'm just saying Nutt would require us swallowing our pride, which we won't do.

No feelings hurt at all. It's good to have a conversation on this site in which people participate. Don't have that much now that ECCIE sucks.

[Johnnytricks]

When yawl bring up HDN. I got this flash back of Reggie Fish muffing that punt inside the 10 when he should have got away from it and let role in the fucking end zone. They had Florida beat in that SEC championship game. That just fucked them right there. And of course Chris Leak and the gators went on to blow out Ohio State for the National title. Done got to old to really care much who they get now. Seen some good hog ball though Remember Holtz and Roland Sales blowing out Oklahoma in the 78 orange bowl.

[aloysius.x]

Nah, not Kiffin. I'd take Butch Jones over him any day of the week. Mike Norvell (Memphis) I hear is a contender. We'd never get Gus after all that BS with Houston. Maybe Barry Lunney?! He's already on staff so not impossible and the team likes him.

[Rocksalt]

I keep hearing Norvell as well. I heard a rumor this morning that we are eyeballing Seth Litrell from North Texas as well.