Let's look at some coaching histories and how it pertains to Arkansas

[lakecityhog]

Several years ago Michigan hired Rich Rod(60-26 WVU) and he failed badly. Then to Brady Hoke, a former player, but he couldn't get it done. And now they have Harbaugh at 10-3, 10-3 and 8-3 for now. Can he lead them to the top again? Remember Harbaugh made it to the Super Bowl(L) and 2 NFC Championship games.

Oklahoma went from Switzer to Gibbs(44-23) to Schnellenberger(5-5-1) to Blake(12-22) to Stoops(190-48) and now to Riley(10-1). Riley is still an unknown and the truth won't be known for a couple more years. Also, never a HC before. Stoops had never been a HC, DC for 2 years at Florida.

Now a look at Urban Meyer, never even a coordinator before he got the HC job at Bowling Green. 8 wins and 9 wins gets him the Utah job, not exactly a powerhouse conference(Mountain West)2 winning seasons there gets him the Florida job.

Michigan tried going with a successful HC and lost, then to a former player with coaching experience and now to a Super Bowl coach, who in 3 years has not won the Big10.

Oklahoma tied a bit of everything and hit a homerun with a 2nd year DC. Now they have promoted a "hand-picked" successor and only time will tell on him.

Urban Meyer was NEVER even a Coordinator when he got his 1st HC job.

What does all this mean to Arkansas? Absolutely NOTHING! We "might" hire an experienced guy and flop(BB/RR) or be moderately successful(JH/Gus) or hire  an up-and-comer and hit a homerun(Stoops/Meyer). Is it savvy that finds a Stoops or is it just plain luck? (By the way, I am not comparing Gus to a Super Bowl coach!!!)

I am certain that there are more examples of success stories and failures by up-and-comers and by experienced coaches that did not fit.

All of this is more or less a warning that we have no idea of what we are getting with ANY coach that we hire, short of Saban and a few others! We can only hope that those making the decision are both savvy AND lucky!

[rtr]

Barry Switzer was offensive coordinator at OU before being promoted to head coach, so was Bud Wilkinson for that matter.