Arkansas AD sticking by Smith, expects to make full-time hire after season...

[#1Tidefan]

...Holy Cow. Am I missin something here...

Jeff Long isn't giving up on coach John L. Smith or the season just yet.

Long said Wednesday that he is committed to Smith for this season, despite the program's difficult start.

Speaking to a group of reporters following an appearance at the Northwest Arkansas Touchdown Club, Long said he is also committed to the rest of the coaching staff, which remained intact after former coach Bobby Petrino's firing in April.

"I also want to be clear I remain steadfastly behind this group of young men and this coaching staff," Long said. "Supporting this team is the best course of action for the short- and long-term. ... I will fulfill my commitment to the players and coaches for this season and I will not abandon them. I'm confident they will work hard and win games."

 

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[Catch Prothro]

...Holy Cow. Am I missin something here...

Jeff Long isn't giving up on coach John L. Smith or the season just yet.

Long said Wednesday that he is committed to Smith for this season, despite the program's difficult start.

Speaking to a group of reporters following an appearance at the Northwest Arkansas Touchdown Club, Long said he is also committed to the rest of the coaching staff, which remained intact after former coach Bobby Petrino's firing in April.

"I also want to be clear I remain steadfastly behind this group of young men and this coaching staff," Long said. "Supporting this team is the best course of action for the short- and long-term. ... I will fulfill my commitment to the players and coaches for this season and I will not abandon them. I'm confident they will work hard and win games."

 

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Season is already lost, and any coach he wants to hire is currently coaching somewhere else. 

[SUPERCOACH]

Exactly.  They are still in the same boat they were in when they fired Petrino.  There are no good options until the end of this season, so they might as well limp along the best way they can.  No need to switch one dead horse for another.

[Merk]

Exactly.  They are still in the same boat they were in when they fired Petrino.  There are no good options until the end of this season, so they might as well limp along the best way they can.  No need to switch one dead horse for another.

Talk about trying to put lip stick on a pig.

My recommendation to the current coaching staff is to start dusting off your luggage. You will need it shortly.

[bama87]

Exactly.  They are still in the same boat they were in when they fired Petrino.  There are no good options until the end of this season, so they might as well limp along the best way they can.  No need to switch one dead horse for another.

Agreed. However they can get a jump start on feelers or Butch Davis is out there. Remember the viles hired Kiffen as soon as the season was over. Arky could do that with Davis. He doesn't have a show cause against him from the NCAA.

[Catch Prothro]

Exactly.  They are still in the same boat they were in when they fired Petrino.  There are no good options until the end of this season, so they might as well limp along the best way they can.  No need to switch one dead horse for another.

Agreed. However they can get a jump start on feelers or Butch Davis is out there. Remember the viles hired Kiffen as soon as the season was over. Arky could do that with Davis. He doesn't have a show cause against him from the NCAA.

Butch Davis?  Talk about baggage.  I don't think the investigation at UNC is over.

Charlie Strong is the name that popped up earlier.

[ricky023]

How about Coach Jim Mc. He learned what the SEC was like under CNS. This would be his try at the big time program. RTR!

[Old Tider]

I can't recall if we discussed the Arkansas coach thinking he was in Alabama. Our team must have impressed him!

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[Catch Prothro]

How about Coach Jim Mc. He learned what the SEC was like under CNS. This would be his try at the big time program. RTR!

I wish Arky would hire him.  He's 1-3 at Colorado State, with losses to three teams with "State" in their name:  North Dakota State, San Jose State, and Utah State.  (I think Coach N is a step up for Bama).

[Marshal Dillon]

Unless Louisville totally collapses, Charlie Strong will absolutely be their fist choice. He is an Arkansas native & played at Central Arkansas. Another Arkansas native, Gus Malzahn is being mentioned and a couple others I can't remember. I think they will break the bank and offer Strong $3.8-$4 mil a year.



 

[Catch Prothro]

Unless Louisville totally collapses, Charlie Strong will absolutely be their fist choice. He is an Arkansas native & played at Central Arkansas. Another Arkansas native, Gus Malzahn is being mentioned and a couple others I can't remember. I think they will break the bank and offer Strong $3.8-$4 mil a year.



 

Butch Davis actually is an Arky alum, but I don't see it.

[cbbama99]

There is little else Long can do at this point. The fact that he overlooked everyone else on the staff to bring back John L. as interim seems to point to the fact that he doesn't trust anyone there right now, which seems strange to me because Petrino didn't run that program single handed.

Charlie Strong will get a TON of money thrown at him, I bet. I also wonder if Tubs gets a look.

[pmull]

Arkansas News article on possible coaches for the Hogs. They have Kirby Smart at No. 6.

1. Charlie Strong (Louisville)
2. Art Briles (Baylor)
3. Paul Rhoads (Iowa State)
4. Mark Hudspeth (Louisiana-Lafayette)
5. James Franklin (Vanderbilt)
6. Kirby Smart (Alabama DC)

Click here for link

[#1Tidefan]

I think it's time to look right now for a HC...AND a new AD whilst they still can.

I couldn't bear to watch after the half.  

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