One recent comment to our little blog had this to say:
Hogblogger, I have to challange you to prove that what has happened with Frank is not something that was not going to happen anyway.
I suppose somewhere along the way I must have said that Coach Broyles was going to be athletic director forever.
It does seem like he’s been around forever. I first met him in person in 1968 in an elevator at what was then the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans. The Razorbacks beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl a couple of days later 16-2 — Bill Montgomery played the second half with a separated shoulder, by the way — and I watched from what seemed like the top of Tulane Stadium.
I have his autograph on a placemat from a dinner that was held in Newport in honor of Rodney Brand. I’m sure all of you remember him as an All-American center in the late 60′s.
As a grad student at the U of A, I participated in a project that required me to sit down and interview Coach Broyles. He was very gracious. I ran into him one day at Neal’s Cafe in Springdale eating alone and joined him — again he was very gracious and we had a pleasant conversation.
So, I’ve been a fan of Coach Broyles longer than perhaps many of our readers have been alive. He has done an amazing job as Athletic Director. And, he’s had a lot of help from good coaches and good fans and supporters of the program. He’s been an important part of a big puzzle. We will miss him…but it is a big puzzle.
But I didn’t think he would be around forever. While I hate to see him ‘forced out’ as many are saying, I do think his staying on ‘forever’ has not been the best thing. Orderly transition is a good thing, and the best leaders enable those. ‘Forced’ or sudden transitions are not good things. If the Board of Trustees have ‘forced’ this, then I don’t think that speaks well of anyone involved, including Coach Broyles.
My fellow blogger, Sunshine, said it very well the other day: ‘They (Broyles and Nutt) did it to themselves by their actions.’ (The bit about the movie and the samurai warriors was a bit beyond me…so I don’t know about that.)
You can blame the Internet and the message boards, but all they did was get the word out about a lot of the things that went on. Yes…there’s a lot of senseless chatter out there, too. But you can get senseless chatter listening to ChuckieB and RickieS, too — especially the last few days.
The long track record of meddling that Coach Broyles had, the NCAA probations that have occurred under his watch, and his statements in Dallas didn’t do him any favors. The waterdrop effect turned into a waterfall.
As for Houston Dale, he causes himself issues many times simply by talking. I saw him on the TV the other night explaining that his comments about Coach Broyles last Saturday were taken out of context.
He has said repeatedly that we are going to work on a passing game.
He said ‘no one was rude to Gus,’ when the truth was that many were rude to Gus. I’ve heard from people that were on the practice field and in meetings. He says he doesn’t really know about what his wife forwarded when the truth is he knows exactly what his wife forwarded.
So while there are things I don’t like about Houston Dale, I think he should keep his job. At our budget and with our current athletic director, we are not going to find anyone better. I just wish he would realize that he’s not fooling people with some of the things he says. I also wish he would get some help on offense and quit worrying about who gets the credit.
But he’s not going to be here forever. And the program will go on without him, just as it will go on without Coach Broyles. Texas managed to survive the retirement of Darrell Royal somehow.
As one of my favorite authors said, ‘today is gone, today was fun, tomorrow is another one.’ **
As for this mess — people picking sides — ‘darksiders’ and ‘huggers’ — Nutt lovers and Nutt haters — Gus lovers and Gus haters — Mitch lovers and Mitch haters — ChuckieB and RickieS — the masses on Hogville — the gang at Hawgs Illustrated…everyone’s had a part. There are no saints, only sinners. This blog included.
I’ll state again, for the record, that I’m keeping my donation the same and will keep my season football tickets. I don’t care who coaches or who is athletic director, I’ll be a Hog fan.
As for choosing sides — my seats are on the West side under the press box because that keeps me out of the sun and rain. I’ll be in them no matter the coach or athletic director.
Now Houston Dale just needs to hush up and coach football. There’s a passing game that needs work.
* Billy Joel
** Dr. Seuss – if you haven’t read the book, you should, because reading is fun and books are good.
I agree with most that you stated, but I do have concern over your last statement. "Houston needs to shut up and coach football". In reading information given by most fans or listening to them on the radio and reading the information put out by most of the media (the little wally types), I constantly hear the complaint that Houston is not accessable to the fan. Why doesn't he have a call in show to answer questions. Why doesn't he stand up and fight to answer all the allegations that have been put forth against him. Yada, yada, yada.
I totally agree and wish that he could go back to coaching football, but I don't think the spoiled, me-me-me mentality average fan that posts on this blog, the message boards and calls the talk shows will allow him to do that.
I see that you have joined the 'lets all get along crowd'. Unfortunately there are several issues that I believe will not go away. One is actually winning. Last year was Houston's first outright Division title in nine years. He tied once or twice before and had another appearance in the title game when Alabama was on probation. My favorite stat on this issue is that Houston is the longest serving coach in a BCS conference to not coach a BCS game. How many more years can that remain true? Houston's teams have provided wonderful moments of excitement but very little real success. Another issue is his style of play. LIke Danny, Kenny, and Frank before him, he has been marginally successful with a tired running game (Frank's winning teams were balanced. He actually retired to the murmurs of pooch punt and draw play.) Personally, I believe that Arkansas is QB U in the fan's minds. They long for the days of Jon Brittenum, Bill Montgomery, and Joe Ferguson. Either way, besides winning, there is an entertain, excitement factor to college football. Unless you are Nebraska or Oklahoma in the 70s, there is not much to say for running football. We will see next year if you can bring back the wing T and compete on a national level. Finally, even though we have all known for years that Houston's strength is not public relations, his relationship with the fans is still important. Hiring Gus and promising a passing game last year only to lose the most important games of the year because the team could not complete a pass did damage to his credibilty which can not be recovered without some real work on his part. Even though the loss of Gus, Mitch, and Damian may not be that significant for a college football team, Houston has responded with misrepresentations and conflicting statements that have only deepended the mistrust that he has created. This is not a good example for young men or the fans. The fact that there is not a single voice, in the Adminstration, on the BOT, or in the media taking a stand for honesty and accountability only deepens the void that unhappy fans feel. They know they are not represented and are not likely to be.
Blindhog, "Not much to say for running the football?"
Let's see:
Herschel Walker
Bo Jackson
Rosey Leaks
Earl Campbell
Eric Dickerson
Emmitt Smith
Thurmon Thomas
Bary Sanders
George Rogers
Reggie Bush
Tony Dorsett
O.J. Simpson
Anthony Davis
I could keep naming them all day, but the fact is most of these backs were very instrumental in putting teams in, close or winning a national championship.
Bluff,
You are just making a argument. It is no wonder that you are a Nutt fan. Most if not all of the names you mentioned played in a balanced offense. But beside the fact that you have no interest in the truth, I will take your side long enough to say this. Darren McFadden's name may very soon belong on that list. The one thing that will either delay, deny, or hasten that will be the condition of Arkansas' passing game. That is the great thing about these arguments, the truth will out soon enough.
Emmit Smith/Troy Aikman
Thurmon Thomas/Jim Kelly
Reggie Bush/Matt Lienart
Tony Dorsett/Roger Staubach
OJ Simpson/Joe Ferguson
Not trying to make an argument about being a fan (other than the Razorbacks), but you completely dismissed the running game. I agree that you have to have a passing game and as much as anyone see the need to be more diverse.
However, in your comparison above you are mixing the pro game and college. In all cases but one that you listed above (on the college level), the I-Back was the feature and the quarterback threw the ball to compliment and open the running game. That's the point where Arkansas needs to get. Throw the ball enough to open lanes for Darren, Felix & Peyton to run. Once we acheive that great things are in store for our program.
See we actually agree on one point. Now if we just get that done we only have winning and credibility to work on. It could happen. If it does, no one will be more pleased than I. If not, I expect to hear from you on the other side.
We are long past time for second chances and excuses. We have the two best running backs in college football, a junior quarterback, an all pro offensive coordinator, hell, we didn't even need last year's Parade player of the year we are so well off. So now is the time. Last year we had to win and we did. This year we have to win big. No excuses.
Bluff and Blind – both you guys are right. We need to be able to run and also to pass. It is not an either / or argument. Just because someone says 'we need to be able to pass effectively' they may still value the running game.
As to Houston Dale and the 'we all just need to get along' thought.
For now, Houston Dale is as good as we can do. Coach Broyles, then 'lame duck' Coach Broyles, stand in the way of getting someone better. Do I think we could have, should have, or deserve to have someone better? Yes. I think if read my posts you'll note that I'm not overly impressed with Houston Dale. You note also that I've not exactly complemented him on his motives and ability to tell the 'whole' truth versus 'part' of or a 'shaded' version of the truth.
Houston Dale is free to talk now because Gus cannot respond. Gus has too much class, AND, would be shooting himself with the coaching fraternity. Plus, I suspect his mother taught him that if he didn't have anything good to say to just stay quiet.
I too wish Houston Dale would or could communicate better. However, I don't think he can. Plus, the more he talks the less credibility he has (if he has any at all). That's why I think he should 'just hush.'
The polarizing arguments are doing no good. Just like the one you guys are having in this thread. I suspect that if either of you played Madden you'd use both running and passing plays. Neither one of you is saying it's all one or the other. And even though neither of you mentioned it, I bet both of you think special teams is important.
The biggest question on the table for both football and basketball is how we are going to make a coaching transistion in the next 2 years without creating several 'down' years – worse so in football than basketball. Next year in football is not the big problem, year 3 – 6 from now is the issue.
Of course, I couldn't agree more.
I thought that I was clear when I spoke of balance and running football teams. My arguments were clear and complete. Bluff just wanted to pick out one sentence and dispute something that I never said. That is not polarizing, its politicking. I am happy for him to politic or present real points.
I am even willing to change my opinion given any real evidence. Winning, balance, and credibility; I remember when these things were not even up for discussion. Houston has not demonstrated any of them. That's all. Its just a fact. Sorry.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17293276/
Go Vols!!! Maybe the HUNH can work in the SEC…
I can't wait to hear what ole' Frank has to say about this? Do you think they checked with Frank's experts? Wait… I thought Frank WAS the expert!
Whow now guys, remember, Phillip Fulmer stated clearly that they are going to take advantage of Eric Ainge's EXSPERIANCE. Also note that he said it was only exsperimental. This could mean it would be used sparingly or very little. If Eric Ainge goes down, what then? The Vols are looking for somthing new and exciting to trigger some motivation for young new players to look forward to. Tennessee will have to look heavily to new talent this year, especially on offense. And if politics has anything to do with it, the Vols are notorious for trying to make an example out of Arkansas. If they sucseed just margionally with Ainge behind the trigger of a "sometimes used HUNH offense", then Phillip Fulmer will have his sales pitch already in place for next year's recruiting. Next years suspense is already unfolding.
Next years suspense is already unfolding but we are still mired in this year's disaster!
Owasso: I'm not sure disaster would be the word that comes to mind for the intire season, but definately would sum up the passing game for the last three games. Nutt must get these guys to improve, or it will be his last go-around.
Hogblogger, I would have never guessed you didn’t like Coach Nutt. Imagine that!!!
Apparently, someone did not watch any USC football in the days of those old runners for it was, tailback right, tailback left, tailback up the middle….very little passing was done on those teams. After all their coaches were not imbeciles. That is why they won! USC with Bush was admittedly a little different, but they still did not go undefeated with their vaunted passing attack. Those tailbacks gave their defenses lots of rest to make them even better. Without their tailbacks, they would likely have been sub-par and maybe average.