Altman Returning To Creighton

40 Responses to “Altman Returning To Creighton”

1. Rich on April 3rd, 2007 6:20 pm

   You see Frank? You got rid of a good coach and now you can’t even find a “decent” coach for Arkansas. You should’ve stayed with Heath until after next season, but now we’re probably going to have to settle with unproven coach….Thanks a lot Broyles, I CAN’T WAIT til the end of the year…
2. HogMavFan on April 3rd, 2007 7:47 pm

   This is the worst hit yet in a year of humiliation for the Razorback Nation. We didn’t want Altman anyway but decided to at least give him a chance then he pulls this bulls**t. You couldn’t have orchestrated a more demoralizing scenario if you tried. Still no regrets about firing Heath since he couldn’t coach and Dan Hipsher bailed him out this season. Why not the Nevada coach, Fox, or Mike Anderson or shell out about 3 million and beg Rick Pitino.
3. Anonymous on April 3rd, 2007 8:01 pm

   Go Hogs !!! Call Nolan !!!
4. OwassoHog on April 3rd, 2007 8:48 pm

   Anybody still think our football issues were about the Springdale “brats”? Looks like they might have been some outstanding young men after all!

   This is NOT a good sign… more bad publicity about the UofA!
5. hegyeg on April 3rd, 2007 9:16 pm

   From the brief clip of him ‘calling the hogs’ that I watched this morning on the local news, I saw in his eyes that he was uncomfortable doing it and didn’t want to be there. Hilarious!
6. GONZOHOG on April 3rd, 2007 10:05 pm

   He didn’t consider this university because of bad issues, he considered it because it was a step up for his financial, and coaching status. Family issues always come first, and evidently it is best, overall, to stay where they are. They’ve spent a long time in Omaha. Owasso, how does this validate the Springdale kids as being outstanding or not. Things happen, and people change their mind sometimes. This doesn’t automatically mean Broyles is at fault, just because Altman changes his mind. When someone in the public eye is not well liked, people will say anything to dis-credit them, even if there is no fact behind it. Opps!! Sorry Owasso, looks like I disagreed with you again. I guess I just can’t keep my mouth shut.
7. Defense Wins Championships on April 3rd, 2007 10:33 pm

   As observed in the news conference with Coach Altman on the day of anointing, he was not enthusiastic. We chalked that up to his self-described “boring personality.” He apologized to his supposed ex-fans in Omaha for calling the Hogs. That was a clue of lack of enthusiasm. In hindsight the news conference yesterday told us a lot. They even took the new Razorback shirts, etc. kinda gingerly. Hindsight says he was having a hard time at the news conference. All of that was pointed out yesterday to me as strange, and they were right.

   Nevertheless, we are going the right route now by going through a Recruiting agency. No doubt, I believe we will even improve.

   Unfortunately, it is evident that many Razorback backslider fans actually deserved this. Many of our fans are so very fickel, appear uneducated, and are so petty as evidenced by their juvinile attitudes regarding the outstanding football coach that we have. To say that many Razorback fans are “out to lunch” when it comes to the sports program is puting it mildly. These Razorback fans, if they actually are Razorback fans, but perhaps out opponents’ fans, do a great disservice to our Arkansas program.

   Another thing we noticed at yesterday’s news conference announcing Altman was the lack of enthusiasm and lack of professionalism on the part of the Razorback basketball players. I guarantee Coach Nutt’s football players are not that way. They have pride bursting out all over them…enthusiasm unparalled. With the right coach, that pride will be installed in our basketball players. Our basketball shall rise again! Go Hogs.

   P.S. For all of you negative personalities, I am sure proud that you do not work with me. Bad attitudes are catching. Attitudes will cause a company to sink or soar. Count on it. I have watched it over and over during my career.
8. Rich on April 3rd, 2007 10:36 pm

   HogMavFan, Do you actually think any of the coaches you named wants to coach at little ol Arkansas when they’ve got great seasons ahead of them where they are? Face it, we will probably end up with someone WORST than Heath…Argh it sucks to be the laughingstock of the nation.
9. The dude on April 3rd, 2007 10:36 pm

   Somehow, this is all Houston Nutt’s fault.
10. Mike in Magnolia on April 3rd, 2007 10:40 pm

    DWC thanks for the great post. I to watched the press conference and even told my wife that Coach Altman seemed uncomfortable with all of this. I called my son last night and told him I didn’t think Coach made the right choice.
    I also think many Arkansas fans should be given and IQ test before they could post a caomment or even attend a game. And people wonder why we are made fun of everywhere. I guess we are nothing but a redneck state and that’s some will ever allow us to be. MORONS
11. Mike in Magnolia on April 3rd, 2007 10:43 pm

    I had this thought if this wasn’t Nutts Fault could it have been an Iranian conspiracy? Or maybe even Chavez has something to do with this. That’s how stupid it sounds when people say Nutt caused this or that Broyles caused this. How stupid
12. OwassoHog on April 3rd, 2007 10:47 pm

    hegyeg, I watched the video and thought the same thing about his Hog Call… however, I took the avenue that this was due to “lack of experience”. If I had, I would have been chased for pointing this out. I did notice that Frank did make his best “pick” of recent times during the press conference (go watch the video again and look for the camera shot of John and Frank listening to Dana).

    Gonzohog, hey, I don’t mind you disagreeing with me “most” of the time (hopefully, not all of the time). However, you can’t dismiss the MULTIPLE “soap” operas that have taken place in just the last 6 months within all of the UofA sports programs. Yes, it started with the football team (including the Springdale recruits). But, it obviously wasn’t limited to just them. How many folks refer to ALL of the others as “soap” operas? With the multiple ones, the question needs to be asked - were the Springdale guys part of the “soap” opera or a RESULT of the “soap” opera? If the Springdale recruits were a RESULT of the “soap” operas, then should we retreat on some of the “name” calling such as “brats”, etc. Maybe, as I suggest, they were just quite possibly outstanding young men that stood by their values rather than crave to them. I don’t know anything personally as to many of the inside issues (probably nobody does) that drove decisions with our football team. Given the same data, we can all see different “issues” or faults and associated blame. I have chosen to give the breaks to the players vs. Houston.

    As for Broyles not being at fault, boy, that is a tough one. He didn’t handle many of the other choices properly and had to “settled” for Dana. Maybe Frank recognize that Dana was waffling before the announcement and didn’t really press Dana on it… maybe Dana really turned unexpected (happens)… but handling Stan and possible coaches was almost at disaster status before Dana already so Dana doesn’t deserve any credit for these mis-steps.

    Just some late night ramblings!
13. Mike in Magnolia on April 3rd, 2007 10:54 pm

    How did Frank Bundle this? Gillispie used us to get a raise. Self was never coming and why should he. I don’t understand why this is anyones fault. I’m not a FB gronny at all but can’t see how he could get the blame for this. It seemed to be a good hire that went south. Will there be repercussins from this? You bet ya. I just hope that this is not the begining of the end for a great tradition. This is my late night ramblings
14. HogBaller on April 3rd, 2007 11:03 pm

    Good Lord, I can’t get a story ready for the site without the floor moving out from under me. I’m flying back from NYC tomorrow, maybe this mess will be all cleared up by the time I get back into town.

    I think I’ll wait a bit before posting a blog on the new head coach. Maybe we can get Heath back…
15. seth on April 3rd, 2007 11:15 pm

    What a sad turn of events. I, for one, didn’t think that Altman was the big name coach we were after originally. But after reading about him, his history and how he coaches, I thought that it was a good fit and that he could turn out to be something great here.

    Then this. I’m floored. I think it really irresponsible of Altman to do this. On the other hand, I respect him for making a family decision. It just sucks that it had to be us in the middle of this.

    I can’t see how we blame Frank for this last mishap. Altman waffled, that’s not Broyles’ fault. But I do find it a bit disheartening that Broyles was so quick to hire him and then jet off to Augusta.

    If what I heard White said was true, that this is now out of the hands of Broyles, then I think that’s a potentially good move. Let him go watch golf, hell, he’s retiring at the end of the year anyway.

    That doesn’t make the situation any better, though. Since Broyles didn’t have a coach 100% lined up, we’re starting to drag the bottom of the lake here. I’m afraid that no matter what is said about this, the media will spin it to be a fault of ours, not Altman’s.

    So now what? We’ve already talked with several people and mentioned others that wouldn’t need to come here (unless they were let go). The fans are obviously bored with the Big 10 style of play, so we need someone that runs, traps, etc. How does Matt Doherty sound?

    Ultimately, I feel for the players. Fans are fans — most will be around through thick and thin. But the players… they just lost the coach that recruited them and now another one — all in one week’s time.

    Our program is showing some glaring holes, and I hope the get patched soon.
16. OwassoHog on April 3rd, 2007 11:25 pm

    How about the techniques (as HogBlogger mentioned) of using “old school” methods. Obviously, Frank contacted (indirectly) Gillispie before gaining permission from the AD. Based upon how much press was generated, that he was available, interested, coming, no comment, not coming, etc… we (maybe by Frank’s action) were left with egg all over our face! etc, etc, etc with other choices before Dana too.

    Now, if you are questioning how Frank could have see Dana’s reversal, I am willing to give Frank the benefit and say he could have been caught cold on this. But we didn’t handle Stan’s exit well, we didn’t handle the pre-Dana options well, and it appears that our choice and jumped ship after just one day. None of this makes the UofA program look good. This as a stand alone event (or series of events) just re-enforces the perspective of a school of “soap” operas.
17. West Coast Hawg on April 3rd, 2007 11:55 pm

    All the “soap operas” stem from the University’s unwillingness to retire Frank years ago. This all started when Frank ran off Nolan, I mean Sutton, or was it Danny Ford, no it was Ken Hatfield, I mean Lou Holtz that he ran off….

    Obviously, FB no longer has the skills, knowledge, or judgement to run such a search. This time he will be relieved of those duties and a team of professionals hired to get the new coach. Frank can make it back to Augusta for the rest of Masters week.

    Obviously, Frank’s need to get to Augusta, and feelings of doubt after being turned down by so many others, led to a hasty decision to hire Altman. Just like fear drove the hasty decision to hire Jack Crowe so many years ago.

    Houston Nutt will do just fine once Frank is gone. Just like Ken Hatfield would have done just fine if Frank had retired a decade or two earlier… It’s hard to be the boss when Frank is hanging around casting doubt on your position and authority.

    I am hoping that Nolan might reconsider. Heck, maybe we could just make Nolan Head Basket ball Coach and Athletic Director!
18. watching and laughing on April 4th, 2007 12:32 am

    Its true Arkansas fans are complete idiots. Coach Broyels is known all over the US as a class guy and great AD. Nutt has the respect of his peers and Heath was know where ready to Coach in the top conference in the country. Just reading the idiotic blogs from some of you makes me realize why no one would want to put up some of you. What idiots
19. watching and laughing on April 4th, 2007 12:34 am

    If Heath was such a great coach why did he end up at SF instead of Iowa or Michigan? Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm
20. Rich on April 4th, 2007 1:28 am

    If Broyles was a great AD why did we end up with……OH WAIT WE HAVE NO COACH
21. Dieinghog on April 4th, 2007 10:12 am

    I will say what I have been saying let Frank start his retirement now and we would have a new head coach in no time. For those of you who say Franks not to blame how can I go through 50 yrs of interviews, hirings, and fireings and not pick up on this guy really being uncomfortable being here. I mean I looked at him on stage and could pick that out so he can’t hide his feelings to well so why couldn’t Frank pick this up well I will tell you why because he has lost his touch and out lived his time. This program is being ran through the mud all to save a dieing legacy. It is really time to hire a new AD when whe have to fork out more money to a search commitee to do what we are paying him for.
22. BlindHog on April 4th, 2007 10:27 am

    If you are going to judge Stan by his accomplishments you have to judge Frank the same way. Football and Basketball are not exactly in shambles but they are both shrouded in controversy and capable of bottoming out with very little help. Stan was no coach, not yet anyway. Frank is a wonderful personality, a coaching icon, but he has probably stayed at least 10 years too long, probably 20. Moving Arkansas to the SEC should have been his legacy and a good time to go out. His rep is great to those who don’t know him or meet him in social settings. His record however is clear. There is nothing left of this year. Bring in the new AD move Frank to emeritus status for next year.

    Pleeeeeease!!
23. LR Hog on April 4th, 2007 12:10 pm

    Read Wally’s column today. Altman was the right coach. In one day he uncovered something on the Hill that wasn’t kosher. WHAT personnel changes did he want to make and WHO wouldn’t let him do it? Whatever he found was serious enough to cause Altman to commit career suicide. And, he didn’t rat out the rats. He just left. Could be that the UA mess hasn’t bottomed out yet.
24. Steve on April 4th, 2007 2:26 pm

    Sutton?

    What about Rick Majerus (Retired), Gregg Marshall (Winthrop), Lon Kruger (UNLV), Kevin Stallings (Vanderbilt), Bob Huggins (Kansas State), Aaron Gray (Pitt), Sutton (OK St), or the godfather of modern basketball … Rick Pitino!!
25. Kendallp on April 4th, 2007 2:29 pm

    For heaven’s sake. You are asking me to read Wally’s column to find out the TRUTH? Please.
26. Carolina Hog on April 4th, 2007 3:08 pm

    I’m still begging for Majerus if his health is in order. That man eats, sleeps, and breathes basketball. Please not Huggins. That’s like having TO join your favorite football team. Wait, that already happened. Damn! Is Aaron Gray an assistant at Pitt? Stallings was slated to be cut lose by Vandy prior to this year. At least we’re not hearing Saddler’s name any longer. Greg Marshall isn’t a bad pick, but what if he came and then left the next day. He’s been known to get a case of Altmanitus. Hire Rick Majerus tomorrow, please.
27. gahog on April 4th, 2007 3:35 pm

    Wally Hall what a whimp. What a stupid column. OHMYGOD OHMYGOD he found something out. Wally take your skirt off for awhile and get some rest. You are one pitiful excuse of a hog fan.
28. Walking on Sunshine on April 4th, 2007 3:42 pm

    Majerus did the same thing to Southern Cal a few years back as Altman just did to us!!! He cited health reasons instead of family concerns.

    Anthony Grant (Virginia Commonwealth) plays the style that we crave….uptempo, high scoring, pressing, in-your-face defense. Wanna know why the Florida AD was so “ho-hum” about the propects of Donovan leaving for Kentucky? He has Anthony Grant (who assisted Donovan for 10 years) waiting in the wings.
29. Carolina Hog on April 4th, 2007 4:02 pm

    Grant didn’t put that team togather, though. That scares me. I think Majerus cited health concerns because he was as big around as he was tall. I thought it was legit, but you may be right.
30. 10KHog on April 4th, 2007 4:09 pm

    I will go ahead and put my name as a candidate. I have been known to “electrify” the crowd in my day. I would press all game long. We’d have about 3 set plays and then just play in your face defense.
31. Walking on Sunshine on April 4th, 2007 4:13 pm

    No, Grant recruited the team that just won back-to-back National Championships. That’s good enough for me.
32. Seth on April 4th, 2007 4:36 pm

    I mentioned it above, but what about Matt Doherty at SMU? Didn’t he recruit all of the guys at North Carolina that Roy won it all with?
33. gahog on April 4th, 2007 4:42 pm

    How bout an older guy (Sutton, Majerus, etc.) THEN get a Calipari , Gillispie, Self in a couple years. That may be as stupid as getting Altman. How about the fans blaming Frank?? How is it his fault? The person you can’t trust a 100% is Altman, he’s the one talking out his arse and is wishy washy. Frank (Hogs) just trying to get a coach that can get us back in the top 15. Heath was a top 60 guy. How can this be Frank’s fault when the guy accepts and then cries like a little girl and runs home to momma. We need a coach that can coach high pressure offense and killer D for forty.
34. hogman on April 4th, 2007 6:26 pm

    I think we should go after Billy Donvan or Rick Pettino as our next basketball coach and pay the biggest money if we really want to win a ncaa championship.
35. GONZOHOG on April 4th, 2007 9:04 pm

    I think some of you guys are missing the point. To make a good hire, it takes more than just a name. If your going to hire a name every time, then it’s like saying there will never, ever be anymore good coaches than what we have right now. The name means nothing, until the person behind the name does something. Now that I have said this, I would like to say this: You can bet your house that Chancellor John White had more to do with hiring Altman than anyone. White loves the fact that Creighton’s academics are set higher than most, and probably caters to a coach that has to recruit under these conditions. As sucsessful as Altman was at their school, in his tenure, he probably went nuts over this guy. I am glad we have been forced to go with the search committee out of Atlanta. They certainly can’t do any worse than the two guys that have been responsible so far. Frank is so old, I don’t doubt he has lost his “buisiness savy” edge, and White should have never been involved. If Frank can’t be relied on anymore, then it’s White and B. Allan Suggs’s job to put someone into this position that can be. I could care less about Franks 50 year legacy. Go find a coach!!!
36. gahog on April 4th, 2007 10:36 pm

    Do you think they may have a NAME because they are a good qualified successful coach. I’m thinking the person behind the name probably did do something that’s why he has a NAME. Just wondering / thinking. We have sort of proved the no name theory.
37. GONZOHOG on April 5th, 2007 8:17 pm

    I’m not even sure I understood the comment gahog, so I’ll put it another way; Did Billy Donavon have a name before he coached Florida? Did Calipari before UMASS? What about Eddie Sutton before Arkansas? Roy Williams before Kansas? All of these guys got their start somewhere. My point is, they don’t pop out of thin air, grow wings, and then fly around, waiting for someone to spot them. They made an impression on someone, somewhere, and then word started to spread about these guys coaching ability. Pretty soon, they got a big break with a major program, and they took their great coaching style to a bigger program, on a bigger stage. This is how they built their name. If you want to bring in a great coach, you better go get someone who is hungry to be great. Most of these so called names lost their lust for coaching the game years ago. How hungry could they really be, when their best years are behind them, and they have nothing to prove?
38. gahog on April 5th, 2007 9:46 pm

    I love to gamble but we can’t lose on this decision, but I would rather have a young (40s) badarse coach that preaches fundamentals and pressure D and freakin would rather die than to lose. At this point I think we all just want somebody that we know can coach. It’s frustrating to say the least.
39. GONZOHOG on April 6th, 2007 8:40 am

    All I know is, we better get this train going in the right direction, before we drive it right off a stinking cliff! Kentucky is using this same firm to find a coach. If Donavon does make a jump to the Wildcats, Florida may be next in line. This could be a better situation than the previous one, but could still delay the process even more. Next years coach, needs to be recruiting next years players right now. We should have a sense of urgency right now as we speak.
40. gahog on April 6th, 2007 11:11 am

    Looks like Kentucky has a new coach. (Imagine that).