Time to move on from Bret Bielema

[DeltaBoy]

He is gone!

[Ash]

For those saying he left the program in a better place. Our lines are shambles. Our record is awful. Our academics are the second worst in the SEC.

The impression he and Long gave is not reality. Go do the research.

[twistitup]

Half the posters around here have been chirping all season about how the players had quit or how they didn't like bielema. Obviously you were wrong and THAT is part of the op's point. But its done now and bielema seemed to go out classy with nothing but good words about arkansas. Ya'll should move on now. Go direct your misery somewhere else.

CBB needed to go - that's the bottom line

[Swestwill66]

He was fired as he walked off the field, but it took place in an office. I suppose that makes it better?

When I were the age of these players,I worked for a guy that would have walked up to Bret during the Coastal game and said "You're Fired!!!!" Before halftime!

[urkillnmesmalls]

This discussion is pointless.  CBB himself says the firing wasn't "brutal" and that he understood the termination, due to the timing of his recruiting visit coming up, and being able to say goodbye to the players.  What more do people want? 

Watch the press conference.  He even jokes about bragging about his team's academics since they didn't win enough.  He referenced the number of injuries they sustained, (but many of those players were on the field for the TCU and TAMU games).  He also said that if he had something to do over, he would have done a better job of recruiting on the lines, because they had WAY more players go to the NFL early than he ever expected, based on their talent levels when they came in. 

OK...so those are all reasonable EXCUSES, but no matter how you slice it, there is NO WAY we shouldn't be able to beat Coastal Carolina with mostly second string players if CBB was making the right moves with recruiting and developing.  That's how I feel about it, and I think he understands completely that he didn't win enough games. 

Let him process it, digest it, and use those reasons to help him find another job.  I'm not buying it...he had more than enough time and chances, and we saw the same patterns over and over with no reason to expect them to change. 

[urkillnmesmalls]

Also...I could tell he was emotional about his daughter being born here, and I think he truly loved FV.  It just didn't work out for him here, and he acknowledges some of the mistakes he made, and I'm sure he will learn from them. 

I just don't see the point in our fans saying, "He got what he deserved" and other contrived statements like that.  He failed, and he was terminated.  Let's just move on...no reason to denigrate a man who obviously cares deeply about FV and I'm confident in saying that he wanted it to work out just as much as anyone on this board. 

[HotlantaHog]

There have been maybe a dozen decent coaching openings this year... Has Bielema been contacted for a single one to interview? Has his name come up as a likely candidate? I am pretty sure Sumlin's name has been bandied about for some openings ... That Bielema's hasn't says something about how the rest of the college football world thinks about him.

[Uncommon]

There have been maybe a dozen decent coaching openings this year... Has Bielema been contacted for a single one to interview? Has his name come up as a likely candidate? I am pretty sure Sumlin's name has been bandied about for some openings ... That Bielema's hasn't says something about how the rest of the college football world thinks about him.

Well it could also be his buyout goes down if he takes another job and he may want to take a year off and spend some time with the new addition to his family.  Not discrediting your theory.  Just saying other factors could play in as well.

[jgphillips3]

Well it could also be his buyout goes down if he takes another job and he may want to take a year off and spend some time with the new addition to his family.  Not discrediting your theory.  Just saying other factors could play in as well.

Also, when you flame out at a P5 job, you normally have to either take a year or so off, step down to coordinator at a P5 school, or go HC at a G5 school to rehabilitate the image.  When P5 is done plucking rising G5 coaches, we'll see more clearly if he's taking the "time off" option or actively looking.

[Uncommon]

Also, when you flame out at a P5 job, you normally have to either take a year or so off, step down to coordinator at a P5 school, or go HC at a G5 school to rehabilitate the image.  When P5 is done plucking rising G5 coaches, we'll see more clearly if he's taking the "time off" option or actively looking.

Agree.  His options right now are:
1. Take a year off completely and focus on family
2. Take a year off and take a television job
3. Take a year off and be a special assistant at a big program like Alabama
4. Coordinate defense again
5. Head coach job at G5 school

[Melancholy_Pigg]

I personally am really surprised there is not more anger at BB from the fan base.  We just gave away $30 million dollars to someone who after 5 wasted years (utterly wasted) has us at the bottom of our division. 

The fact that we would try and rationalize our situation by looking at the attitude of the players is astonishing to me.  It really is.  What do the players say about every bad football coach I have ever observed at any program?  I mean, come on. 

We have to put the big-boy pants on, guys.  Or this won't be the last time we get had. 

I am also at this point willing to err on the side of Good-Ole-Boy for AD.  I appreciate the concern - and lord knows you had me wanting to get rid of it earlier in this program's recent history.  I know the GOB thing has its pitfalls. 

But after the Long-Bielema debacle and watching those mediocre incompetents walk away from this state with as much $$$ as we gave them after doing what will be years of damage to the program...well...I'm sorry but it is hardly irrational to be wary of getting into that situation again with a total outsider. 

[jchill]

I picked up a couple from Wisconsin and they told me that Brett was not well liked in Wisconsin.

[Melancholy_Pigg]

It is interesting, isn't it?  There were a lot of warning signs about Bielema and the WI fans were one of them.

It is also interesting that Mr. Integrity ran out of that program basically in the middle-of-the-night and left his benefactor/mentor in the lurch.  Not to mention the kids he recruited.

I don't think we'll ever find out the skinny on Bielema in WI (no pun intended).   I suspect Alvarez and a lot of Badger nation were relieved that he took the Arkansas gig - I mean no need to "suspect" it with a lot fo the WI fans.  They came out and said it. 

[Melancholy_Pigg]

I'm serious, guys.  Now that we're here talking about Bielema's departure from Wisconsin - there were plenty of warning signs.  And the way he left and what people said - not good.  Not good at all.

IMO we got had.  We got taken.  We let someone who was likely in a shrinking situation professionally reach out and pull the 'ol handle on the Razorback slot-machine.  And we paid.  And what is disconcerting is that he had - and still has - some of our fan base so snowed over when it was glaringly obvious in hindsight something was bad wrong.


And why is this important now?  Because we need to learn from our mistake, that is why.   We'll "move on" but we need this to sink in, and we need to be cognizant of it - and more aware than ever going forward.

[CareBear]

I don't know what to make of it.  I have been reading this message board for years and only created an account last nite when I saw the whining about how he was fired (which was not accurate, btw).

I could not take it any more.  This man comes in and drains your bank account and has everyone laughing at you and says he can fix your car and takes it apart and can't put it back together.  You are in a bad spot and rumor is he's on the town every night.

But you just continually sit back and talk about what a great guy he is?   Good Lord.

News flash:   be glad he is finally gone, and hope this program never pays as much as we did for as little as we got again.  And owe to the next bunch of people who buy in to the Bielema shtick.


I think his "nice guy" routine is just that - an act.  I am sure Charles Ponzi had people saying he was a great guy as well.

Great post. I didn't like the hire from day one. I tried to give him a chance but there were major red flags by the time he blew the Rutgers game. The love letter to Jeff Long was a calculated & very manipulative move. How many guys who party on the college bar scene in the town where they are coaching (Madison) & meet there wife at a blackjack table in Vegas, would feel compelled to sit down and write a letter to an AD because he fired a coach who had an affair. My intuition was screaming when I heard about this ridiculous love letter. Then we hear all the "building it the right way", "it's coming", "this place was a dumpster fire", etc. Jeff Long & CBB ate responsible for the condition of our football program at the moment. They needed to be fired. Jeff Long didn't understand that Barry Alvarez had to meet with Bert 3-5 times /wk to discuss football & probably keep the man in line. Once he arrived at UofA he was under  an AD who had previously been dealing with Bobby Petrino...who did not need help with football from his AD. So Bert had free reign. The assistants started peeling off every year. I suspect they knew that Bielema was in WAY over his head on every level. The problem was not with the assistants, it was the head coach. Anyone we get will be an upgrade. Anyone!

[HeathWimp]

Oh no!  Maybe we should hire Bret back.  But wait, how would that affect the buyout offset? /s

[Pig In The City]

I have reflected and due to the fact that I cannot say something positive....

[Philip Seaton]

I have reflected and due to the fact that I cannot say something positive....

If Morris is hired, in hindsight, then firing Bielema was a mistake.

[redneckfriend]

Look at the reactions from his current and former players on twitter. They believe he deserved better. They don't seem to agree with the multitudes of you that were convinced he played favorites and had off the field issues. They believe he's a man of great character that cared about them and did what was best for them. It provides some good perspective. I believe he should have been fired, no doubt. But he left this program and these kids better off than when he got here, whether the record this year shows it or not. He made an impact on these players not only as athletes but as people. That's not a guess, that's straight from their own statements. They're not happy with the way it was handled and they love their coaches. So I believe it's inportant to remember that over the next few weeks.

I don't doubt it at all. I don't know flip about Bielema but from a distance he looked like a stand up guy. That however is generally not how fans judge coaches- they like 'em to be mean sumbitches who win games and crush the other teams ego. Makes the fans feel validated for all they have to put up with in real life- especially if you're from Arkansas and don't get respect from ESPN.

[Ash]

Great post. I didn't like the hire from day one. I tried to give him a chance but there were major red flags by the time he blew the Rutgers game. The love letter to Jeff Long was a calculated & very manipulative move. How many guys who party on the college bar scene in the town where they are coaching (Madison) & meet there wife at a blackjack table in Vegas, would feel compelled to sit down and write a letter to an AD because he fired a coach who had an affair. My intuition was screaming when I heard about this ridiculous love letter. Then we hear all the "building it the right way", "it's coming", "this place was a dumpster fire", etc. Jeff Long & CBB ate responsible for the condition of our football program at the moment. They needed to be fired. Jeff Long didn't understand that Barry Alvarez had to meet with Bert 3-5 times /wk to discuss football & probably keep the man in line. Once he arrived at UofA he was under  an AD who had previously been dealing with Bobby Petrino...who did not need help with football from his AD. So Bert had free reign. The assistants started peeling off every year. I suspect they knew that Bielema was in WAY over his head on every level. The problem was not with the assistants, it was the head coach. Anyone we get will be an upgrade. Anyone!

yeah blackjack table...

Their stories never lined up with each other on how they met. She made her living from model mayhem before they got married. Do some googling on model mayhem and the legal troubles they've had over the years.

[Boarcephus]

SEC Network did a segment on Frank Ragnow and his father's passing today.  Very touching.  Frank's mother was very complimentary on how Bielema handled the entire situation and said he did exactly as he promised her and Franks dad he would do when he recruited Frank.  Could not have been happier how Frank was treated from day one at Fayetteville.   I have no doubt Bielema is a standup guy, just not a good fit for this program. 

[PorkRinds]

SEC Network did a segment on Frank Ragnow and his father's passing today.  Very touching.  Frank's mother was very complimentary on how Bielema handled the entire situation and said he did exactly as he promised her and Franks dad he would do when he recruited Frank.  Could not have been happier how Frank was treated from day one at Fayetteville.   I have no doubt Bielema is a standup guy, just not a good fit for this program.

Agreed.

[alohawg]

If Morris is hired, in hindsight, then firing Bielema was a mistake.

I dunno about a mistake, but certainly not smart.

[Melancholy_Pigg]

The love letter to Jeff Long was a calculated & very manipulative move. How many guys who party on the college bar scene in the town where they are coaching (Madison) & meet there wife at a blackjack table in Vegas, would feel compelled to sit down and write a letter to an AD because he fired a coach who had an affair. My intuition was screaming when I heard about this ridiculous love letter. Then we hear all the "building it the right way", "it's coming", "this place was a dumpster fire", etc. Jeff Long & CBB ate responsible for the condition of our football program at the moment.

I knew I couldn't be the only one thinking the same thing, CareBear.  I thought it was telling that a lot of folks who were clutching their moral pearls at 'ol Bobby Petrino had such an easy time with Vegas Bret. 

And when you make Character & Integrity & Morals an issue - then I'm sorry but you open that door.  You don't get to have it both ways and get to pick and choose who is criticized.  At least that should not have happened.  It did, but it shouldn't have. 

[HognitiveDissonance]

Look at the reactions from his current and former players on twitter. They believe he deserved better. They don't seem to agree with the multitudes of you that were convinced he played favorites and had off the field issues. They believe he's a man of great character that cared about them and did what was best for them. It provides some good perspective. I believe he should have been fired, no doubt. But he left this program and these kids better off than when he got here, whether the record this year shows it or not. He made an impact on these players not only as athletes but as people. That's not a guess, that's straight from their own statements. They're not happy with the way it was handled and they love their coaches. So I believe it's inportant to remember that over the next few weeks.

As I posted before:

Bielema did everything right off the field,
He just didn't win enough games.

[Hogsfan1981]

#rehireBret

[Mr Jade]

If Morris is hired, in hindsight, then firing Bielema was a mistake.

What are we thinking Seaton?

[PorkSoda]

If Morris is hired, in hindsight, then firing Bielema was a mistake.

this.  so much this.

[jchill]

Go plug yourself

What gives? I am just repeating what they told me.

[Melancholy_Pigg]

Mr. Coleman's final buyout is $11.8 mil.  Has anyone heard any chatter about contracts made by or through the Razorback Foundation that were not disclosed and that are outside of FOIA request?

Just curious.  Maybe this has already been covered.  If so, is this a standard practice of athletic foundations at other institutions?

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21633086/former-arkansas-football-coach-bret-bielema-receive-118-million-buyout-pay-final-three-years-contract

[Melancholy_Pigg]

*Coleman should he Bielema

[Hawgzinbowlz]

And some of these are the same players who laid down and quit in the Auburn, Missouri and VT games last year. Win those games and this conversation doesn't happen.

Here's to hoping that CCM can receive the same loyalty while being able to motivate the players to consistently perform at a respectable level.

" GO HOGS "

[alohawg]

How many kids on the squad?  120?  120 when he started and been here 5 years, so what does that work out to?  200-350?  How many twitter accounts have you looked at?  20%, 30%, 50%?

Didn't read, +1 tho to get you off the triple 6 

[okrazorback]

Why do people fell the need to keep running him down, or take shots at those who may support him because they liked him when he coached them?

He just got fired and still had the professionalism to go meet the media.  Just be happy we are about to hire someone else to come in and likely average 7 or 8 wins over 4 or 5 years then we can cry for that guy to be fired

I guess that's why I am not agreeing with most of you. You think 7 OR 8 games per season is a knockout punch. I do not . Now you will tell me that is good for Arkansas. I say with the right coach we  can do better. Now you will probably say I am not fan I say you are not a fan if you just automatically say that is the best we can do.
.

[arkansashogs]

As a fan and or administration, what you need to look at it the outcome (field performance), not players' reactions, period.

-AH

Look at the reactions from his current and former players on twitter. They believe he deserved better. They don't seem to agree with the multitudes of you that were convinced he played favorites and had off the field issues. They believe he's a man of great character that cared about them and did what was best for them. It provides some good perspective. I believe he should have been fired, no doubt. But he left this program and these kids better off than when he got here, whether the record this year shows it or not. He made an impact on these players not only as athletes but as people. That's not a guess, that's straight from their own statements. They're not happy with the way it was handled and they love their coaches. So I believe it's inportant to remember that over the next few weeks.

[snoblind]

Didn't read, +1 tho to get you off the triple 6 

I actually noticed that yesterday.  Thx.

[Melancholy_Pigg]

That man made so much money off this program in exchange for so little he deserves to be run down and insulted.  It is borderline criminal.

I would be extraordinarily wary of hiring Bret if I were another program.  I don't think you can believe a word he says.  A contractor telling you the wonderful job he'll do who does not show up for work after you pay him is not going to have everyone chattering away about how wonderful he is.

Good grief. 

[PorkRinds]

That man made so much money off this program in exchange for so little he deserves to be run down and insulted.  It is borderline criminal.

I would be extraordinarily wary of hiring Bret if I were another program.  I don't think you can believe a word he says.  A contractor telling you the wonderful job he'll do who does not show up for work after you pay him is not going to have everyone chattering away about how wonderful he is.

Good grief.

Some of y'all butt hurt warriors just need to move on.

[greasy_corner]

Some of y'all butt hurt warriors just need to move on.

It is YOUR thread. 

[AlmaHog2011]

With all due respect, so what?  Players almost always support their coach.  Players play, administrators make business decisions and run the program.

Exactly no person with a brain would have brought BB back. And maybe if they played harder he wouldn't have been fired.

And I'm sick of how he was fired. Ok how is the correct way to fire a coach? I mean after the last game telling him in an office after the game seems completely fine in fact a great way to let him know. And to be upset about how he was fired??? Hell should have fired him last year after the 56-3 quit job or maybe after quitting against Missouri or maybe after quitting agianst Va Tech right after any of those games fire his ass...

He wasn't mistreated and if the players think that they need to follow him if gets another job. Like Long they will both be hired by some much better school that Arkansas.

[AlmaHog2011]

Some of y'all butt hurt warriors just need to move on.

You going to beat us up at the Sonic?

[AlmaHog2011]

For those saying he left the program in a better place. Our lines are shambles. Our record is awful. Our academics are the second worst in the SEC.

The impression he and Long gave is not reality. Go do the research.

And bam! The truth strikes down the FOS posters and he gone! Yeah he robbed us him and Hogville's boy Long robbed this state. Did not leave this program in better shape. In fact the same or worse.

[AlmaHog2011]

And some of these are the same players who laid down and quit in the Auburn, Missouri and VT games last year. Win those games and this conversation doesn't happen.

Here's to hoping that CCM can receive the same loyalty while being able to motivate the players to consistently perform at a respectable level.

" GO HOGS "

Need to weed out a bunch of them that have quit in multiple games.

[EulessHog]

It is YOUR thread.

The ONLY good thing I can say about him is that he's gone.  Long is even worse.

[porkrindjimmy]

Some of y'all butt hurt warriors just need to move on.

You really got the gall to tell somebody to move on? It is you who needs to move on. Put the Bret and Jeff dolls up, quit licking the windows and clean yourself up.

Jeez...write Bret a love letter. But you need to give it up.

PRJ

[PorkRinds]

It is YOUR thread.

From over TWO WEEKS ago.

[jkstock04]

Some of y'all butt hurt warriors just need to move on.

This is your thread lol. All I have to do to become more convinced of the Chad Morris hire is to go back and read snowflake threads like this....our fans melting all over themselves over Bret Bielema and his time here.

Epitome of how soft and dainty our football program has become under the Jeff Long/Bielema era...it was a disease that spread through the administration, coaches, players, and fan base that winning was secondary because by gosh we are doing things the right way in an uncommon manner!

Thank God that is all over with and actually competing and winning football games will become a priority once again.

[PorkRinds]

You really got the gall to tell somebody to move on? It is you who needs to move on. Put the Bret and Jeff dolls up, quit licking the windows and clean yourself up.

Jeez...write Bret a love letter. But you need to give it up.

PRJ

Go make some more wrong predictions and pretend to be important, imposter.

[PorkRinds]

This is your thread lol. All I have to do to become more convinced of the Chad Morris hire is to go back and read snowflake threads like this....our fans melting all over themselves over Bret Bielema and his time here.

Epitome of how soft and dainty our football program has become under the Jeff Long/Bielema era...it was a disease that spread through the administration, coaches, players, and fan base that winning was secondary because by gosh we are doing things the right way in an uncommon manner!

Thank God that is all over with and actually competing and winning football games will become a priority once again.

My thread from two weeks ago right when he was fired. It isn't me that keeps bringing it back.

[Mike Irwin]

If they love him so much why did they get him fired?

A football coach isn't your friend. He's your coach. Most of the best coaches I've been around weren't generally liked by their players until a few years after they left the team. You start to grow up and you start realizing, That guy may not have been a nice person to be around but he damn sure know how to get the best out of me.