Just a couple of weeks ago, we wrote here about how the hiring of Gene Chizik at Auburn was good news for the other members of the SEC West.  But with the addition of Malzahn, things may have gotten a little more complicated.

We use the word ‘may’ because, as Hog fans learned, hiring a coordinator means nothing if he’s not allowed to do it his way.  And whether or not you landed in the camp of believing Malzahn was ready in 2006 for the SEC, few would now argue that the offense he ‘coordinated’ at Arkansas was his own.

Now it will be interesting to watch what Malzahn’s first season offense at Auburn will look like.

For a program that seemed to reject the ‘newfangled’ spread offense under former coordinator Tony Franklin, it will most certainly require some patience and faith.  And those are two qualities that ‘Auburn Nation’ hasn’t been showing much lately.

So here’s a word of advice to meddling Auburn boosters…learn from our mistakes.  Let Gus be Gus and enjoy the ride.  Whether or not that ride will take you to glorious heights…we can’t say for sure.

But it will help us settle a bet with Frank about whether or not Malzahn’s offense will work in the SEC.

ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Razorbacks end Tulsa’s undefeated season

Behind the career-high 385 yards passing from senior Casey Dick, the University of Arkansas Razorbacks ended the perfect season of the Golden Hurricane with a 30-23 thriller at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Also:

• ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Game Stats (PDF), Post-game Notes, Razorbacks down #19 Tulsa 30-23 (Video)
• ESPN.com: Arkansas hands No. 18 Tulsa first loss of season
• ArkansasSports360.com: Special Teams, Defense Lift Arkansas Past Tulsa, 30-23

Razorback Central

• Alex Abrams: Late Stand Lift Arkansas Past Tulsa
• Robbie Neiswanger: Passing Attack Carries Razorback Offense, Defining Moments In Razorback Victory
• Kurt Voigt: Malzahn Unable To Reflect
• Nathan Allen: Whitmore, Teammates Enjoy Homecoming
• Harry King: Razorbacks Hold Steady Under Petrino

WholeHogSports.com

• Tom Murphy: Taking wind out of Tulsa
• Bob Holt: Slowing the Hurricane, Instant replay
• Rob Keys: Johnson goes deep on return
• Marty Cook: When in doubt, Hogs throw it to D.J.
• Chris Givens: Clay’s big day close to home
• Wally Hall: Tulsa can’t keep pace with Arkansas’ big plays
• Nate Allen: Clearing the air
• Terry Wood: Hogs step up to quell Hurricane Gus

Other Sites and Blogs

• Tulsa World: Razorback-lash, Clay huge for TU all day, Missed shots doom Tulsa

Updated 11/2/08 7:45 a.m.

You couldn’t have written a screenplay to accurately chronicle Arkansas football the past two months. Mustain, the quarterback, transferred — to where, no one knows yet. That was only after his former high school coach, offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, left for Tulsa.

Broyles, the iconic AD, resigned (effective in December) under pressure. There was a rumor two weeks ago that Nutt was going to be bought out for $7 million. That’s after winning 10 games and Nutt leading the Hogs to a Jan. 1 bowl for the fourth time in nine years.

That’s where somebody, definitely, screwed up, because the best thing about Arkansas football is currently in that weight room at the crack of dawn.

Dennis Dodd: Malzahn gets to run his full-tilt O now — at Tulsa

Gus Malzahn was asked to give the best examples of his hurry-up, no-huddle offense last season at Arkansas.

Actually, there was only one example.

“The closest thing to it last year was a drive we had against USC when Mitch came in,” Malzahn said. “That was pretty much it.”

Also:

• YouTube Video: Mitch Mustain First Drive

I say that because I had thought about a scene from the mini-series Band of Brothers on the day before, after it was reported that Houston Dale had planned to demote his award-winning offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn, after a 10 win season.

In the first episode of the mini-series set during World War II (and based on the great book by Stephen Ambrose), the protagonist of the story, Lt. Dick Winters, finds out that he’s being punished by his commander, Capt. Herbert Sobel (whose ineptness is brilliantly portrayed by former Friends actor David Schwimmer).

When Winters questions Sobel about the reasons for the punishment, he quickly realizes that the reprimand is a petty act by Sobel to unjustly discipline him out of jealousy.  Winters, an up-and-coming officer, is respected by his men and very capable in his duties — two things that Sobel is not.

“Punishment for your offenses will be denial of a 48-hour pass for 60 days,” Sobel says.  “Or you may initiate a letter of appeal and request a trial by court-martial.”

Winters, standing at attention, glares at him.  After an awkward silence, Sobel implores him.  “You spend your weekends on the base anyway, Dick.”

“Be a man…take the punishment.”

After a momentary pause, Winters defiantly grabs a pen out of Sobel’s hand.  “May I borrow your pen, sir?”  He quickly signs a paper, hands it to Sobel and returns to attention.

“My endorsement, sir.  I request trial by court-martial.”

Sobel sits stunned as Winters looks down at him, salutes, and walks away.

Later, after hearing of the incident, the sergeants under Winters resign in support and protest.  They do so knowing that their act during wartime could be punished by being lined up in front of a firing squad and shot.  But better to die that way, they believe, than to die in battle under the command of an inept Capt. Sobel.

Eventually, Sobel’s regiment commander realizes his motives and summarily transfers him.  The charges against Winters are dropped and he and his reinstated sergeants go on to lead their company into battle on D-Day and beyond.

But the moral is clear:  Fairness.  Honesty.  Integrity.  Principles that are worth standing up and fighting for…and rightly disassociating from those who don’t embody them.

So maybe now you can see how I could draw parallels to who I view as Sobel, Winters and the sergeants in our own little drama here on the Hill this week.

The only question I still have is…who is our regiment commander?

Their favorite t-shirt says, ‘Because I’m the daddy, that’s why.’

The bunch from Springdale made a lot of noise that continually demanded attention.  Winning the state championship, being nationally ranked, the recruiting attention gathered by the ‘Springdale 5,’ the quarterback becoming the Parade Magazine National Player of the Year — that was a lot of noise.

The Razorback football program had no choice but to embrace and claim ownership of the noise.  It was forced upon them.  After all, the Springdale border was maybe 10 minutes away from the stadium if the traffic is heavy.  Following two losing seasons and calls for the head coach’s head, losing the Parade National Player of the Year, or for that fact any member of the ‘Springdale 5,’ would only serve as the final nail in the coffin for head coach Houston Dale Nutt.

So, the Razorbacks and Houston Dale did embrace –- so tightly that they hired the Springdale ‘High School‘ coach and appointed him ‘offensive coordinator.’  Promises were made that the ‘High School’ coach would bring newness to the Razorback offense.

Just when all seemed lost on the recruiting front, the ‘High School’ coach promptly delivered four of the ‘Springdale 5,’ including the Parade National Player of the Year, to the Hogs campus.  The coffin was placed into storage, the nails returned to the store, and Houston Dale ‘loved that helmet.’

The noise and anticipation grew.  In response to the thrashing at the hands of USC, the Parade National Player of the Year was immediately named as starting quarterback.  Hope was sold and hope abounded.  The decision appeared blessed by the winds and fate.  The Hogs suddenly seemed unbeatable.

However, the Athletic Director, feeling absolutely no need to remind that the key to the room containing the coffin was stored securely in his top desk drawer, made it known to Houston Dale and the press agents that the new ‘passing’ offense was not Razorback football.  Experts had apparently been consulted confirming this fact.  (There is apparently no truth to the rumor that Coach Broyles drafted a memo to Urban Meyer notifying him that spread offense would not work in the SEC and later chose not to send it for fear of providing aid to the opposition.)

Much of the new offense quickly made its way to the scrap heap, which seemed to trouble very few as the Hogs running game was near amazing at times.  With whatever successes the offense had, the head coach made certain to point out that the offense was a team effort and not due to anyone in particular, save for the amazing running backs.  Certainly not due to the ‘High School’ coach who had constructed the offense to put all of the Hogs primary weapons on the field at once.  After all, choosing plays and ‘game planning’ was a group effort.  The ‘High School’ coach merely selected from the pre-approved list — and, even then, it was to be clearly understood that the head coach maintained constant vigilance and veto power.

The noise generated by winning grew louder and attempted to drown out the noise from the Springdale bunch.  However, the Parade National Player of the Year was benched and new energy was given to the noise.  Innovations to the offense that displayed the talents of the Razorbacks first ever Heisman Trophy contender were first credited to the head coach’s brother, prior to some share of the credit being given to the ‘High School’ coach — who was creating even more noise by winning national offensive coordinator awards.

The noise continued to grow.  Rumors of ‘the book‘ and comments made by the Parade National Player of the Year about the head coach swirled.  An undercurrent of ‘we were lied to’ anger came forth from the support base of the ‘Springdale 5,’ as it became apparent that much of the passing offense was the same as it had been the previous year — limited and ineffective — and that the Springdale ‘High School’ coach appeared to serve more as a puppet than a coordinator.

As the season ended in losses — seemingly due to the fact that no passing game was to be found — the Springdale noise got even worse. It was apparent that the Springdale offense had not only been sent to the scrap heap, it had not even been given a fair trial.  Concerned parents met with the Athletic Director.  The meeting was ‘leaked‘ to the public.  The Athletic Director had told the parents that ‘experts’ had told him the spread offense would not work in the SEC without a running quarterback.  Much more noise ensued.

The Athletic Director was not amused at all the noise.  The ‘High School’ coach and the ‘Springdale 5′ seem to be the root cause.  This noise had to be eliminated.  The ‘High School’ coach was summoned and informed that the noise was not welcome.  The Freshman All-SEC ‘Springdale 5′ receiver and the Parade National Player of the Year learned from the ‘High School’ coach that the noise was not welcome.  Ultimatums were given.  ‘Stay or go, decide by sundown.’

The Freshman All-SEC receiver decides to leave.  The Parade National Player of the Year chooses to keep his powder dry.  The ‘High School’ coach lays low, holding his cards close while keeping to the company line.

Houston Dale is named ‘Coach of the Year,’ rising from the ashes of the prior two years to receive a contract extension.  The ‘High School’ coach, now ‘National Offensive Coordinator of the Year,’ is promised a new two year contract.

The bowl game brings another loss.  No passing game to be found.  More noise.  Control has been lost.

The situation must be assessed. Control must be regained.  The head coach informs the quarterback coach that his opportunities lay elsewhere.  An old / new quarterback coach is apparently waiting in the wings to come in, rejoin the family, take a lead role in the offense, and possibly call plays.  The ‘High School’ coach gets wind of this and confronts the head coach.

Assessing a future where both the noise was not welcome, and he was outnumbered by the friends and family program, the ‘High School’ coach moves on to a place where he supposedly will get to call ‘his’ plays.  The Parade National Player of the Year promptly packs and leaves, leaving a posse of young ladies in tears.  The noise reaches new heights.

The masses cry out: ‘The line has been crossed.’  ‘The shark has been jumped.’  ‘Hope has been lost.’

But the path is chosen.  Jobs are secure.  Order will be restored.  The noise will finally abate.  Quiet will come in time.

After all, the Razorback program is much bigger than any one coach or player.

Coach Broyles and Houston Dale can explain that to you, if need be.

In the beginning…all wanted to believe.  That a proud ego had been humbled by evident limitations.  That a new voice would be trusted and followed.  That old men recognized the changing times…and realized that earning prosperity meant embracing that change.

Ultimately…it all proved to be only a mirage.  Nothing more than a schoolchild’s lie.  A devil’s bargain.

For those who continue to reign, nothing will be easier for them to implement than a fond return to a meager past.  A reactionary time warp back to a familiar place.

Most assuredly they believe that you will continue to follow.  That their duplicity will be ignored.  That time will exonerate and validate their actions.

The question is…are they right?  Will you continue to be led by them?

Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt was out of town recruiting on Monday, but issued this brief statement regarding Malzahn’s hiring at Tulsa.

“We are very appreciative of the many contributions Gus made to our staff and to our program during his tenure with the Razorbacks. In his first season as a coach at the collegiate level, he was an integral part of a team that won 10 games and won an SEC Western Division championship. I wish him nothing but the best both personally and professionally as he takes on his new role.”

Also:

• TulsaHurricane.com: Arkansas’ Malzahn Named Assistant Head Coach at Tulsa
• ESPN.com: Arkansas offensive coordinator Malzahn off to Tulsa
• YouTube Video: Malzahn Interview (KTUL)
• Rick Schaeffer: Malzahn’s Departure Leaves Void
• RBN: Malzahn Leaving Arkansas For Tulsa
• Alex Abrams: One and Done
• Kurt Voigt: Malzahn Takes Offensive Identity To Tulsa
• Dudley Dawson: Recruits Remain Firm On Commitments
• Harry King: Malzahn departs for Tulsa
• Bob Holt: Goodbye Gus
• Otis Kirk: Recruits not going with Malzahn
• Chris Bahn: As of now, players staying put
• Wally Hall: Slipping out back door after trumpeted entrance
• Nate Allen: Looking to Lee
• David Showers: Malzahn’s departure perplexes UA fans, former preps protégés
• Rainer Sabin: Campbell says Mustain staying for time being
• Terry Wood: Gus gets off Nutt’s bus
• Tulsa World: Graham adds Malzahn to staff

Updated 1/16/07 8:00 a.m.

Graham announced earlier on Sunday that he would be bringing six of his former assistants from Rice to join his staff.  Another assistant coach listed in the release, West Virginia tight ends coach Herb Hand, was named co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.  The person who would be assuming the other co-offensive coordinator position was not announced.  Reportedly, that is the position that Malzahn will fill.

Update 8:15 a.m.: Bo Mattingly reports on Press Row that Malzahn has agreed to a three year contract as Tulsa assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator.  A news conference is reportedly scheduled for later today.

Update 8:20 a.m.: Mattingly has additional details over on the Razorback Nation web site.

Update 9:40 a.m.:  Joe Schad over at ESPN.com is now reporting the story.

Update 1:40 p.m.:  J.R. and Henry provide their take.

Update 2:45 p.m.:  It’s official.