Long selected as one of top ADs

[ricepig]

Did I miss something?  Was Arkansas formerly known as Thug U?  Were our alums and fans ashamed of the university and its athletic programs before 2007?

Who said anything about that?

[hawgon]

But there were 5 losses, only wins matter, so you statement wasn't correct.

No, it was a good number of wins and there was hope for more.  Now we don't have enough and there is little reason to hope, but for blind unreasoning hope, for more.

[ricepig]

No, it was a good number of wins and there was hope for more.  Now we don't have enough and there is little reason to hope, but for blind unreasoning hope, for more.

Oh ye of little faith.....

[gchamblee]

A thread was created to celebrate a pretty cool accomplishment by our AD. The usual suspects are concerned that someone may enjoy or take pride in this so they barged in to spread their misery. It is really pathetic when any accomplishments within the athletic department are darn on by people who insist on ruining it for everyone else. When I see others enjoying something that I really do not care about, I have never once considered ruining it for them.

[gchamblee]

No, it was a good number of wins and there was hope for more.  Now we don't have enough and there is little reason to hope, but for blind unreasoning hope, for more.

And you have decided to punish those that don't feel the way you do by being there at every turn to remind them that those things they enjoy aren't worth crap. Good on you. Hogville has made me wish a person could list exclusions on their donor card.

[Inhogswetrust]

Those who are alums have a little different take than those who aren't. We all want more wins, that's why we play the game, but there's more to it than just wins.

Of course Alums might have a different perspective. That being said non-Alums should also recognize that it's not just wins either. Unfortunately some of them don't but that's life when dealing with irrational/illogical sports fans.

[Inhogswetrust]

No reason to settle.  And, I wasn't disappointed with 22-5.

Now you simply want to play a percentages game except you want all wins. Can't have your cake and eat it too. Disappointment for me does not include whether a team I'm not playing for wins or loses any games. The only thing I'm disappointed in with wins/losses is that the PLAYERS didn't get what THEY wanted and worked hard for in a loss. I'm disappointed FOR them not TOWARDS them.

[Inhogswetrust]

Oh ye of little faith.....

and no hope despite the fact there is ALWAYS hope.

[hogcard1964]

Nah, give me wins.

+1000

Gotta win

[EastexHawg]

Who said anything about that?

People are talking about overlooking the W/L record because at least we are running a clean program, the players aren't criminals, and they can be proud of the way things are done.  Were we an outlaw athletic department before?

[GuvHog]

Now you simply want to play a percentages game except you want all wins. Can't have your cake and eat it too. Disappointment for me does not include whether a team I'm not playing for wins or loses any games. The only thing I'm disappointed in with wins/losses is that the PLAYERS didn't get what THEY wanted and worked hard for in a loss. I'm disappointed FOR them not TOWARDS them.

What's with this "you want all wins" business?? Most people on here (self included) would be happy if they get at least 8 wins in regular season play this year. No one is wanting them to climb mountains that they are not ready to climb.

[ricepig]

People are talking about overlooking the W/L record because at least we are running a clean program, the players aren't criminals, and they can be proud of the way things are done.  Were we an outlaw athletic department before?

Well, we've had some outlaws, but not to a large degree. If I had to choose with winning the Fulmer Cup and 10 wins, or 8 wins and a great GPA, I'd probably take the 8. I'd much prefer 10 wins and the academic success.

[Inhogswetrust]

What's with this "you want all wins" business?? Most people on here (self included) would be happy if they get at least 8 wins in regular season play this year. No one is wanting them to climb mountains that they are not ready to climb.

They wanted wins only. I was responding to someone else so what's with you?

[GuvHog]

They wanted wins only. I was responding to someone else so what's with you?

Like I said, I don't believe anyone expects the Hogs to go undefeated, they just expect better than 7 regular season wins a year. helping the players to excel in the class room and running a clean program are great things but there is more to being a head football coach than that. Universities don't hire coaches to just do part of the job.

[Inhogswetrust]

Like I said, I don't believe anyone expects the Hogs to go undefeated, they just expect better than 7 regular season wins a year. helping the players to excel in the class room and running a program are great things but there is more to being a head football coach than that. Universities don't hire coaches to just do part of the job.

My point was they think that ONLY wins are important. Yes they are but they aren't the ONLY thing.

[GuvHog]

My point was they think that ONLY wins are important. Yes they are but they aren't the ONLY thing.

They aren't the only thing but they are the MAIN thing. A head Coach can have the cleanest program possible and his players can be making the highest grades possible but if he isn't having success on the field, he'll eventually get fired.

[Torqued pork]

Great AD...the people who disagree are butt hurt about him firing BP.

That would change with a replacement who produced. What's the timetable again?

[Inhogswetrust]

They aren't the only thing but they are the MAIN thing. A head Coach can have the cleanest program possible and his players can be making the highest grades possible but if he isn't having success on the field, he'll eventually get fired.

If they screw up the other stuff enough they get fired as well.

[jkstock04]

So Hugh resigned, right?? You're smarter than this, or I hope you are. You can call it whatever you wish, but it's the same thing, they are let go for not winning enough games. Coaches are given the opportunity to resign in order to help their career, but if they get the severance pay, they're fired.

Bret Bielema will not be fired at Arkansas for not winning enough football games. The bar there is set low. There are other standards set that are higher that he excels at.

Take a look at what Jeff Long says...it's in black and white. The Bielema years have proven to him you don't have to have a coach like Bobby Petrino to be successful.

[Peter Porker]

No reason to settle.  And, I wasn't disappointed with 22-5.

Now, it's 22-5.

[Razorod]

He's alright with me too man 🐗

[LZH]

Long is good at what he does, but hiring and firing of coaches I am still on the fence. He hitched his wagon to Bielema and kind of backed himself into a corner with that huge buyout. But to be fair, you are probably not going to get a coach from a P5 conference who just won three conference titles to make a lateral move without one hell of an incentive to come. I think if Bielema barely scrapes above .500 again this year that next year will be his do-or-die season. If he underachieves again, Long will have no choice but to let him go...or he will certainly be 'advised' to do so. Of course, you gotta make sure there is a good coach out there before you fire the one you have.

I complain about the current state of our program a lot, but don't think I don't understand how it works. We are just hung with what we have until it gets better or we can afford to make a change. Does it mean I won't keep up my jabs? Take a guess.

[Razorod]

I honestly think that the worst we do this season is 8-4. Good shot at 9-3. 4-0 non-conf and 5-3 in conference.

[ricepig]

Bret Bielema will not be fired at Arkansas for not winning enough football games. The bar there is set low. There are other standards set that are higher that he excels at.

Take a look at what Jeff Long says...it's in black and white. The Bielema years have proven to him you don't have to have a coach like Bobby Petrino to be successful.

Oh, that's right, you will use the "resign and take another job" as your fallback. Did Rob Smith resign or was he hired?

[hawgon]

I didn't agree with the firing and the hirings, but that is all water under the bridge and not everyone is happy with everything.  But what is/was unconscionable was the raise and extension of  Bielema's buyout after the first sign of moderate success.  It want necessary.  His contract could have been extended without raising and extending the buyout to such levels.

What is was, was a rather cynical power play on Long's part.  He cemented his man in the position in such a way as to make his replacement impossible.  Long is about Long and no one else.

[hawgon]

Here is the deal too.  Long is going to get left holding the bag.  Bielema has already been here five years.  No one stays at one job ten years anymore, or very very few.  That means that the odds that Bielema is still here in five years are very very slim. 

As soon as Bielema has any success indicating that he might be getting over the hump, he is leaving and taking another job, maybe in the NFL.  And there we'll be six to eight years into a rebuilding project with a team built for and by a coach who just left us for greener pastures.

Building for the long haul is stupid nowadays because there virtually is no long haul.  Coaches come and coaches go.

[ricepig]

Here is the deal too.  Long is going to get left holding the bag.  Bielema has already been here five years.  No one stays at one job ten years anymore, or very very few.  That means that the odds that Bielema is still here in five years are very very slim. 

As soon as Bielema has any success indicating that he might be getting over the hump, he is leaving and taking another job, maybe in the NFL.  And there we'll be six to eight years into a rebuilding project with a team built for and by a coach who just left us for greener pastures.

Building for the long haul is stupid nowadays because there virtually is no long haul.  Coaches come and coaches go.

Maybe, maybe not. First, Bielema has had 4 seasons here, having said that, coaches do stay at schools, Gundy, Dantonio, Ferentz, Fitzgerald, Patterson, etc....Now, the younger guys are going to move on and up, but guys stay at places they are wanted.

[hawgon]

Maybe, maybe not. First, Bielema has had 4 seasons here, having said that, coaches do stay at schools, Gundy, Dantonio, Ferentz, Fitzgerald, Patterson, etc....Now, the younger guys are going to move on and up, but guys stay at places they are wanted.

Bielema will bolt because the SEC is too tough for him.

[LZH]

Bielema will bolt because the SEC is too tough for him.

He also can't call Barry Alvarez every Monday morning and get advice on what to do. Jeff long is a businessman, not a coach.

I think big boy is doing the best he can probably, but he just isn't the Ace in the Hole that Arkansas needs to win in this conference. I do think we have two very good coordinators but I am not sure they are enough to save his job.

[ricepig]

Bielema will bolt because the SEC is too tough for him.

He may be fired before, or he may stay forever, they're all possibilities, lol.

[ricepig]

He also can't call Barry Alvarez every Monday morning and get advice on what to do. Jeff long is a businessman, not a coach.

I think big boy is doing the best he can probably, but he just isn't the Ace in the Hole that Arkansas needs to win in this conference. I do think we have two very good coordinators but I am not sure they are enough to save his job.

We've never had that Ace, I guess we just keep shuffling and dealing......

[WilsonHog]

Could be. Or, it could be that raising a family in northwest Arkansas while earning north of $4 million a year for winning 7-9 games a season is not a bad gig.

[LZH]

We've never had that Ace, I guess we just keep shuffling and dealing......

I would call Holtz and Petrino pretty much aces, at least for Arkansas. That's what, 2 out of the last 6 coaches we have had? So maybe we have a 1/3 chance of getting an ace if Bielema finally proves he can't cut it.

[hawgon]

Whatever happens, I just hope his tenure is nothing like Ferentz's at Iowa.  Win big and have some success or lose big and get gone.  The soul sucking mediocrity of Iowa football would destroy this program forever. 

[ricepig]

I would call Holtz and Petrino pretty much aces, at least for Arkansas. That's what, 2 out of the last 6 coaches we have had? So maybe we have a 1/3 chance of getting an ace if Bielema finally proves he can't cut it.

Holtz did share a conference championship, so there's that.

[oldhawg]

I didn't agree with the firing and the hirings, but that is all water under the bridge and not everyone is happy with everything.  But what is/was unconscionable was the raise and extension of  Bielema's buyout after the first sign of moderate success.  It want necessary.  His contract could have been extended without raising and extending the buyout to such levels.

What is was, was a rather cynical power play on Long's part.  He cemented his man in the position in such a way as to make his replacement impossible.  Long is about Long and no one else.

Chances are that Long read Bielema's "moderate success" as a sign of better things to come, so he moved to keep him here a while longer.  Maybe he (Long) just read the tea leaves wrong.  Tough business he is in, predicting the future.

[go hogues]

Long is good at what he does, but hiring and firing of coaches I am still on the fence. He hitched his wagon to Bielema and kind of backed himself into a corner with that huge buyout. But to be fair, you are probably not going to get a coach from a P5 conference who just won three conference titles to make a lateral move without one hell of an incentive to come. I think if Bielema barely scrapes above .500 again this year that next year will be his do-or-die season. If he underachieves again, Long will have no choice but to let him go...or he will certainly be 'advised' to do so. Of course, you gotta make sure there is a good coach out there before you fire the one you have.

I complain about the current state of our program a lot, but don't think I don't understand how it works. We are just hung with what we have until it gets better or we can afford to make a change. Does it mean I won't keep up my jabs? Take a guess.

Good post

[go hogues]

Whatever happens, I just hope his tenure is nothing like Ferentz's at Iowa.  Win big and have some success or lose big and get gone.  The soul sucking mediocrity of Iowa football would destroy this program forever. 

I'd take Iowa's success. They've played for at least two conference championships in the last decade, IIRC.
Also, I don't understand the soul sucking mediocrity quote? I've always thought that was kind of our m.o.?

[gchamblee]

I'd take Iowa's success. They've played for at least two conference championships in the last decade, IIRC.
Also, I don't understand the soul sucking mediocrity quote? I've always thought that was kind of our m.o.?

watching hawgon discuss our athletic staff is like watching teenagers discuss mortgages.

[hawgon]

I'd take Iowa's success. They've played for at least two conference championships in the last decade, IIRC.
Also, I don't understand the soul sucking mediocrity quote? I've always thought that was kind of our m.o.?

Some are alright with it, some aren't.  It isn't worth supporting if you don't have hopes of high level success.

[hawgon]

watching hawgon discuss our athletic staff is like watching teenagers discuss mortgages.

Well, I'm not on the payroll like you are.

[ricepig]

Well, I'm not on the payroll like you are.

I've got a few positions open for workers to pull spills out the next 4 weeks, at least you'll get a check.

[jkstock04]

Oh, that's right, you will use the "resign and take another job" as your fallback. Did Rob Smith resign or was he hired?

Someone had to fall on the sword...obviously wasn't going to be Bielema. What does that have to do with what I said anyways?...Bielema isn't under pressure/the hot seat to win X amount of games. I don't believe that for one second. Evidence points otherwise.

What quote from Jeff Long leads you to believe differently? I can point to things that he has said to support what I'm saying. He is not the type of AD that puts a high priority on winning. His priorities are like I said earlier in the thread...everything PR and PC wise need to be solid...and above all I think he prides on having a clean athletic program. Those things are going to trump winning X amount of games by a wide margin.

[LZH]

Someone had to fall on the sword...obviously wasn't going to be Bielema. What does that have to do with what I said anyways?...Bielema isn't under pressure/the hot seat to win X amount of games. I don't believe that for one second. Evidence points otherwise.

What quote from Jeff Long leads you to believe differently? I can point to things that he has said to support what I'm saying. He is not the type of AD that puts a high priority on winning. His priorities are like I said earlier in the thread...everything PR and PC wise need to be solid...and above all I think he prides on having a clean athletic program. Those things are going to trump winning X amount of games by a wide margin.

Sorta like being the 11th or 12th largest tater chip maker in the South. Not too many folks like our chips but somehow we're making major bank so what's the problem?

[ricepig]

Someone had to fall on the sword...obviously wasn't going to be Bielema. What does that have to do with what I said anyways?...Bielema isn't under pressure/the hot seat to win X amount of games. I don't believe that for one second. Evidence points otherwise.

What quote from Jeff Long leads you to believe differently? I can point to things that he has said to support what I'm saying. He is not the type of AD that puts a high priority on winning. His priorities are like I said earlier in the thread...everything PR and PC wise need to be solid...and above all I think he prides on having a clean athletic program. Those things are going to trump winning X amount of games by a wide margin.

Good AD's don't make quotes on X number of games to win, those talks are in private. There's a number, he can't go 5-7 and 6-7 to stay here after 2018, just hide and watch. I don't think it's going to be a problem to better that, but he can't/won't stay here on academics alone.

[Poker_hog]

Building for the long haul is stupid nowadays because there virtually is no long haul.  Coaches come and coaches go.

There's no evidence that we've been building for the long haul.  It's not like we're redshirting 20+ players a year.  It was an excuse. 

Truth is by year three a coach pretty much owns the results.  Making a coaching change will cause to have a below average recruiting class for one year but usually the program rebounds with an above average class the next year as the new coach is selling playing time to his type of recruits.

[EastexHawg]

Since 2005 Iowa is 87-61 overall and 3-7 in bowls, so on average they go 7-5 and lose a bowl game.  For anyone who would be fine with being Iowa, that's the bar.

Apparently that is a significant portion of our fan base these days.  They may not admit it, but try suggesting what we are getting and have gotten for the last half decade is unacceptable and they will not only argue with you, but make it sound like you are the "hater".

We have somehow evolved to the point that highly paid executives' careers are to be more protected and valued than the program itself. 

[RME]

Since 2005 Iowa is 87-61 overall and 3-7 in bowls, so on average they go 7-5 and lose a bowl game.  For anyone who would be fine with being Iowa, that's the bar.

Apparently that is a significant portion of our fan base these days.  They may not admit it, but try suggesting what we are getting and have gotten for the last half decade is unacceptable and they will not only argue with you, but make it sound like you are the "hater".

We have somehow evolved to the point that highly paid executives' careers are to be more protected and valued than the program itself.

Do you know what we are since 2005? Spoiler: It's scarily similar.

[Inhogswetrust]

Since 2005 Iowa is 87-61 overall and 3-7 in bowls, so on average they go 7-5 and lose a bowl game.  For anyone who would be fine with being Iowa, that's the bar.

Apparently that is a significant portion of our fan base these days.  They may not admit it, but try suggesting what we are getting and have gotten for the last half decade is unacceptable and they will not only argue with you, but make it sound like you are the "hater".

We have somehow evolved to the point that highly paid executives' careers are to be more protected and valued than the program itself. 

If it is unacceptable for you then give up, quit donating, quit buying season tickets and quit posting on here and go root for Bama. I bet you don't donate much if any or but season tickets.

[EastexHawg]

If it is unacceptable for you then give up, quit donating, quit buying season tickets and quit posting on here and go root for Bama. I bet you don't donate much if any or but season tickets.

Exhibit A.