ESPN writer's top 10 hardest places to coach

[DeltaBoy]

The writer is an Idiot   Loyd Carr never lost as much a UM as NUTT has at UA.
NUTT has a losing bowl record and a losing record against most of the SEC except the state of Mississippi!

[jdlew]

This writier just proves you can research nothing and write everything.  What an idiot.  I told some Michigan fans and they laughed their arses off about this.  They agree with me...Lloyd Carr would be enshrined as a saint if he coached at Arkansas.  Well, anyone with half a brain would be...following the Dork!

Lloyd Carr would not be enshrined as a saint here.  He cannot recruit well enough (if he was at Arkansas) to bring the success he has had at Michigan.  I want to go another direction with the coaching staff but Carr is way overrated.  Look at the last couple of recruiting classes he has had, a large portion of the states top players went elsewhere.

how many is a large portion

[heathman]

This writier just proves you can research nothing and write everything.  What an idiot.  I told some Michigan fans and they laughed their arses off about this.  They agree with me...Lloyd Carr would be enshrined as a saint if he coached at Arkansas.  Well, anyone with half a brain would be...following the Dork!

Lloyd Carr would not be enshrined as a saint here.  He cannot recruit well enough (if he was at Arkansas) to bring the success he has had at Michigan.  I want to go another direction with the coaching staff but Carr is way overrated.  Look at the last couple of recruiting classes he has had, a large portion of the states top players went elsewhere.

how many is a large portion

Very large portion.  http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?ra_key=1577&Year=2007

[HedgeDweller]

This writer just proves you can research nothing and write everything.  What an idiot.  I told some Michigan fans and they laughed their arses off about this.  They agree with me...Lloyd Carr would be enshrined as a saint if he coached at Arkansas.  Well, anyone with half a brain would be...following the Dork!

Lloyd Carr would not be enshrined as a saint here.  He cannot recruit well enough (if he was at Arkansas) to bring the success he has had at Michigan.  I want to go another direction with the coaching staff but Carr is way overrated.  Look at the last couple of recruiting classes he has had, a large portion of the states top players went elsewhere.

Hmmmmmmm interesting take.  The last few years, eh?  Let's see, Michigan has the 10th rated recruiting class so far for this season, the #12 class for 2007 (including Arkansas Razorback wannabee, Ryan Mallett), 13th rated class in 2006, #6 recruiting class in 2005, #5 class in 2004, #17 in 2003 and #16 in 2002.

What were you saying about Michigan's (and Lloyd Carr's) recruiting?  Compared to Houston Nutt's recruiting, Lloyd Carr has done very well.  Well, considering that the Hog's recruiting classes can't ever seem to break the top 20 (2008 - tied at #12, 2007 - not in the top 25, 2006 - not in the top 25, 2005 - #24, 2004 - #22, 2003 - not in the top 25, 2002 - not in the top 25).

I don't want Lloyd Carr as Arkansas' head coach...that isn't what I said or suggested, but he has recruited rings around the Nuttster.  Like I said, given this state unusual love affair with a mediocre coach, Lloyd Carr would be enshrined right now!

I agree with you about not wanting Carr as coach here - I don't believe he could coach in the SEC.

But, what were App State's and Oregon's last few recruiting classes rated as compared to Michigan's?

What does App St or Oregon's recruiting classes have to do with this?

Michigan recruiting was being discussed in the post I referenced.

[kuhog]

The guy was pretty spot-on.....Although, at this point, Arkansas could be ranked even higher.....just wait to see how difficult it will be to get a "big-name" coach when HDN is gone.....

Not hard at all.

Didn't we learn from the basketball situation that getting a big-name coach is an aberration? Why would it change for football?

[hogsanity]

The writer is not an idiot, as asserted above.  The goings on have been documented in the national media.  The thing is, outside of some hog fans, NO ONE CARES who transferred, who the hc was texting, where the oc went.  They just dont care.

[jamie72921]

If it was an EASY place to caoch, wouldn't that mean that the fans and or adm DO NOT CARE?

What do you call a place where you can have back to back losing seasons, contact other schools about their job vacancies(LSU), hire a highschool coach so you can get his players, have your wife and a personal friend of the family circulate emails denegrating both highschool coach and the kids, call into local radio talk show to fight with one of the hosts, barely have an alltime conference winning pct over .500, not made a BCS bowl since its inception, GET PAID OVER A MILLION AND A HALF A YEAR, AND STILL HAVE JOB?

YOU CALL THAT HARD?! YOU CALL THAT PRESSURE PACKED?!!

You are a classic.

[31to6]

Totally unfair.  "Lloyd Carr wouldn't survive there!"  Nutt survived back to back losing seasons.  I bet a dollar to a donut that Carr could finish the season with 8 wins and still might lose his job at Meeeeshigan.  Guy who wrote this article is an absolute fool. 

If there were even the appearance of impropriety, Lloyd Carr would have an assistant print out every text message sent by his phone.

Carr may be on the hotseat because he has not lived up to Michigan's lofty expecations that last few games, but he has integrity.

[MysticHog]

I wish we had the records of those other schools in the top 10, maybe that is why we are number 5.

[Feralhog]

If it was an EASY place to caoch, wouldn't that mean that the fans and or adm DO NOT CARE?

I think that's kinda the point we are making.  Had we done the right thing and fired Nutt's ass back in '05, the ranking might at least make sense. 

[Feralhog]

The writer is not an idiot, as asserted above.  The goings on have been documented in the national media.  The thing is, outside of some hog fans, NO ONE CARES who transferred, who the hc was texting, where the oc went.  They just dont care.

Just because they don't doesn't mean we shouldn't.

[abraHAM_lincoln]

Obviously it is pretty easy...  You kiss Frank's ass weekly, then you can suck at coaching and be given payraises and your contract is extended.

[Oliver]

Just when you think Bruce Feldman can't get any more uninformed...

[heathman]

This writer just proves you can research nothing and write everything.  What an idiot.  I told some Michigan fans and they laughed their arses off about this.  They agree with me...Lloyd Carr would be enshrined as a saint if he coached at Arkansas.  Well, anyone with half a brain would be...following the Dork!

Lloyd Carr would not be enshrined as a saint here.  He cannot recruit well enough (if he was at Arkansas) to bring the success he has had at Michigan.  I want to go another direction with the coaching staff but Carr is way overrated.  Look at the last couple of recruiting classes he has had, a large portion of the states top players went elsewhere.

Hmmmmmmm interesting take.  The last few years, eh?  Let's see, Michigan has the 10th rated recruiting class so far for this season, the #12 class for 2007 (including Arkansas Razorback wannabee, Ryan Mallett), 13th rated class in 2006, #6 recruiting class in 2005, #5 class in 2004, #17 in 2003 and #16 in 2002.

What were you saying about Michigan's (and Lloyd Carr's) recruiting?  Compared to Houston Nutt's recruiting, Lloyd Carr has done very well.  Well, considering that the Hog's recruiting classes can't ever seem to break the top 20 (2008 - tied at #12, 2007 - not in the top 25, 2006 - not in the top 25, 2005 - #24, 2004 - #22, 2003 - not in the top 25, 2002 - not in the top 25).

I don't want Lloyd Carr as Arkansas' head coach...that isn't what I said or suggested, but he has recruited rings around the Nuttster.  Like I said, given this state unusual love affair with a mediocre coach, Lloyd Carr would be enshrined right now!

If your going to quote me at least quote me correctly.  I said if he was recruiting to Arkansas.  Do you research and look at the in state recurits and where the top went.  He could not recruit to Arkansas.  He is coaching Michigan, which there is a little bit of difference.  Are you saying that the Arkansas program is on there level, have we ever been?

Well, when I hit that little "quote" button it does the quoting for me.  So, don't worry about being taken out of context -- not that your context matters.  But...

I really don't follow your pure assumption.  You are assuming that Lloyd Carr could not recruit here.  Given the success of his recruiting classes (whether he felt he needed those Michigan 'in state' recruits or not is his decision), he has done pretty damn good for himself. 

You still made the unsubstantiated remark, "[Lloyd Carr] cannot recruit well enough..." even though the rating of each of his classes proves (you) differently.  Lloyd Carr would have gotten Mallet to Arkansas...and probably Lee Ziemba, Broderick Greene and several other in state prospects who ran very far away from Houston Nutt and his brand of chaos.

So I refute your baseless assumption with another unproveable assumption.  Unproveable -- except for the simple fact that I spoke to a few of these kids (interviewed Ryan Mallet last season and spoke with Lee Ziemba the night before he made his college selection) I mentioned and many based their decisions purely upon the fact that Nutt was head coach at Arkansas.

Again, Lloyd Carr would give the Hogs a recruiting class better than #26 and Hog fans would be crazy over him!  Plus, he is a fierce competitor - Hog fans would (again) ensrine him.  Your assumption that a coach from some other location can't come to Arkansas and do the same is also presumptuous.  Lou Holtz brought his winning ways down from Minnesota and continued without missing a beat. 

PLUS - getting 5 star recruits from Texas and California, Washington and Mi...OH...there's a 5 star recruit right out of Detroit, Michigan.  Lookie there!  Anyway, getting these 5 star recruits very much trumps getting compatible home grown talent.  This premise of yours makes no sense toward proving any significant point.

"This premise of yours makes no sense toward proving any significant point"  Well you said it so it must be true, you obviously know more than I do. How can I compete with your exceptional expertise?  You are truly the GOD of college football and I have been put in my place. 

[HedgeDweller]

Totally unfair.  "Lloyd Carr wouldn't survive there!"  Nutt survived back to back losing seasons.  I bet a dollar to a donut that Carr could finish the season with 8 wins and still might lose his job at Meeeeshigan.  Guy who wrote this article is an absolute fool. 

If there were even the appearance of impropriety, Lloyd Carr would have an assistant print out every text message sent by his phone.

Carr may be on the hotseat because he has not lived up to Michigan's lofty expecations that last few games, but he has integrity.

Carr is a good man as far as I know.  So is Sylvester Croom.

[Fatty McGee]

The writer is not an idiot, as asserted above.  The goings on have been documented in the national media.  The thing is, outside of some hog fans, NO ONE CARES who transferred, who the hc was texting, where the oc went.  They just dont care.

I care that the head coach is 1) too dumb to know that his calls are subject to FOI, 2) didn't bother to text an OL who starts for another SEC school that is consistently better than us despite having time to send thousands of messages to people unrelated to the program, 3) that the top recruit in our history, plus a top WR, transferred, and 4) that the person who brought even the semblance of balance to our offense left.

But I agree with you - no one who isn't a Hog Fan cares.  But then, they don't really care if the Hogs win or lose, and I do.

Wait, I bet Auburn cares, and are quite happy to know he doesn't text message top recruits!  And probably USC cares, too, since they got the benefit of those players transferring.

So me, USC fans, and Auburn fans probably all care, but for different reasons.

[ErieHog]

The reaction to the article justifies the ranking.

[hogsanity]

The reaction to the article justifies the ranking.

YEP

[Fatty McGee]

What reaction is that? 

Don't all fan bases dislike consecutive losses and a 61% winning percentage?  By that token, we're pretty easy.  He is the longest tenured coach in a BCS conference never to make a BCS bowl, after all.

[hogsanity]

What reaction is that? 

Don't all fan bases dislike consecutive losses and a 61% winning percentage?  By that token, we're pretty easy.  He is the longest tenured coach in a BCS conference never to make a BCS bowl, after all.

The reaction where this was listed as one of the 10 toughest places to coach and the coach gets ripped in a thread ablut it being a tough place.  That reaction.

[Mark Martin Fan]

The writer is not an idiot, as asserted above.  The goings on have been documented in the national media.  The thing is, outside of some hog fans, NO ONE CARES who transferred, who the hc was texting, where the oc went.  They just dont care.

Maybe the writer knew Nutt got a 2-year pass (Frank's bad call in my opinion) and knew Nutt had to have a good season...then Arkansas finished in the top 20 and people FOIed his phone records and sued the administration for how an issue was handled.  Is it common for teams to finish in the top 20 and have these things happen?  I don't think so...but maybe somebody can provide me with some examples. 

Now, don't call me a hugger.  The real problem is that Nutt was given a 2-year pass by Frank and his boys.  That was a huge mistake and should not have happened.  Most people seem to want to blame Nutt for not getting fired when it is Frank's fault.  I'm not saying Frank has not done a good job as AD, but he should have let Nutt go to Nebraska and then found someone else. 

Oh...GO HOGS...BEAT BAMA!!!!!

[Fatty McGee]

What reaction is that? 

Don't all fan bases dislike consecutive losses and a 61% winning percentage?  By that token, we're pretty easy.  He is the longest tenured coach in a BCS conference never to make a BCS bowl, after all.

The reaction where this was listed as one of the 10 toughest places to coach and the coach gets ripped in a thread ablut it being a tough place.  That reaction.

Doesn't a coach with that record get ripped no matter what the subject?

[EastexHawg]

This writier just proves you can research nothing and write everything.  What an idiot.  I told some Michigan fans and they laughed their arses off about this.  They agree with me...Lloyd Carr would be enshrined as a saint if he coached at Arkansas.  Well, anyone with half a brain would be...following the Dork!

Lloyd Carr would not be enshrined as a saint here.  He cannot recruit well enough (if he was at Arkansas) to bring the success he has had at Michigan.  I want to go another direction with the coaching staff but Carr is way overrated.  Look at the last couple of recruiting classes he has had, a large portion of the states top players went elsewhere.

Poor recruiter or not...Lloyd Carr beat Wisconsin soundly last year.

Remember them?

[Fatty McGee]

The writer is not an idiot, as asserted above.  The goings on have been documented in the national media.  The thing is, outside of some hog fans, NO ONE CARES who transferred, who the hc was texting, where the oc went.  They just dont care.

Maybe the writer knew Nutt got a 2-year pass (Frank's bad call in my opinion) and knew Nutt had to have a good season...then Arkansas finished in the top 20 and people FOIed his phone records and sued the administration for how an issue was handled.  Is it common for teams to finish in the top 20 and have these things happen?  I don't think so...but maybe somebody can provide me with some examples. 

Now, don't call me a hugger.  The real problem is that Nutt was given a 2-year pass by Frank and his boys.  That was a huge mistake and should not have happened.  Most people seem to want to blame Nutt for not getting fired when it is Frank's fault.  I'm not saying Frank has not done a good job as AD, but he should have let Nutt go to Nebraska and then found someone else. 

Oh...GO HOGS...BEAT BAMA!!!!!

What happened from the last part of last season through the offseason isn't common anywhere.  I'll give you credit for being smart enough to realize that. 

It's as uncommon as having a coach go 9 years in a BCS conference without reaching a BCS bowl.  I can't think of a place where either things have been done, either by the fans or the coach.

Wonder if there's a connection?

[NuttinItUp]

Unfortunately I think it is true.

[cityhog]

I signed up for ESPN just so I could comment.  what a joke.

[Feralhog]

Unfortunately, I think wish it were true.

Fixed that for ya

[NuttinItUp]

Unfortunately, I think wish it were true.

Fixed that for ya

Why would I wish it were true?

[TheHogFan]

Would you guys rather this be any easy place to coach?

I am not sure what our fans want anymore.
So many wanted the national attention over the past 8 months, now they don't like it when most of the country thinks we are crazy. Did you all actually think that the college football world would think some of this stuff was normal?

[Fatty McGee]

I am not sure what our fans want anymore.

I think they want to win.  Just guessing, though.

[Feralhog]

Unfortunately, I think wish it were true.

Fixed that for ya

Why would I wish it were true?

I don't know.  Why do you embrace mediocrity?

[hogsanity]

I am not sure what our fans want anymore.

I think they want to win.  Just guessing, though.

You are partially correct.  They want to win, but only with certain players, and certain plays.  Win any other way and it is not good enough.  Look at how some went on and on last year when we barely beat Vandy & Bama.

[PolishPigPower]

This writer just proves you can research nothing and write everything.  What an idiot.  I told some Michigan fans and they laughed their arses off about this.  They agree with me...Lloyd Carr would be enshrined as a saint if he coached at Arkansas.  Well, anyone with half a brain would be...following the Dork!

Lloyd Carr would not be enshrined as a saint here.  He cannot recruit well enough (if he was at Arkansas) to bring the success he has had at Michigan.  I want to go another direction with the coaching staff but Carr is way overrated.  Look at the last couple of recruiting classes he has had, a large portion of the states top players went elsewhere.

Hmmmmmmm interesting take.  The last few years, eh?  Let's see, Michigan has the 10th rated recruiting class so far for this season, the #12 class for 2007 (including Arkansas Razorback wannabee, Ryan Mallett), 13th rated class in 2006, #6 recruiting class in 2005, #5 class in 2004, #17 in 2003 and #16 in 2002.

What were you saying about Michigan's (and Lloyd Carr's) recruiting?  Compared to Houston Nutt's recruiting, Lloyd Carr has done very well.  Well, considering that the Hog's recruiting classes can't ever seem to break the top 20 (2008 - tied at #12, 2007 - not in the top 25, 2006 - not in the top 25, 2005 - #24, 2004 - #22, 2003 - not in the top 25, 2002 - not in the top 25).

I don't want Lloyd Carr as Arkansas' head coach...that isn't what I said or suggested, but he has recruited rings around the Nuttster.  Like I said, given this state unusual love affair with a mediocre coach, Lloyd Carr would be enshrined right now!

This writier just proves you can research nothing and write everything.  What an idiot.  I told some Michigan fans and they laughed their arses off about this.  They agree with me...Lloyd Carr would be enshrined as a saint if he coached at Arkansas.  Well, anyone with half a brain would be...following the Dork!

Lloyd Carr would not be enshrined as a saint here.  He cannot recruit well enough (if he was at Arkansas) to bring the success he has had at Michigan.  I want to go another direction with the coaching staff but Carr is way overrated.  Look at the last couple of recruiting classes he has had, a large portion of the states top players went elsewhere.

Poor recruiter or not...Lloyd Carr beat Wisconsin soundly last year.

Remember them?

ZING!!!

I wanna add in here that Lloyd Carr has been slipping in the estimation of Michigan fans the last few years.  You keep losing to OSU-East like he has lately, and the fanbase turns against you.  Like Mack Brown losing to the Sooners until he finally beat Stoops (and won a title).

Also, Carr's ability to recruit at a place with a 103,000-seat stadium built by Bo Schembechler, known nationwide as Big Blue, talked about weekly if not daily by the national media, and where players have won the Heisman is a lot different than him trying to recruit at Arkansas.  He doesn't have to "build a fence" around his state because a) his state's talent base is deeper, and b) he can go nationwide to recruit much easier.

[NuttinItUp]

Unfortunately, I think wish it were true.

Fixed that for ya

Why would I wish it were true?

I don't know.  Why do you embrace mediocrity?

Uhh, what? I don't. I am the biggest darksider there is. I hate Nutt. (my SN should tell you that, even if you haven't read my multiple posts saying so. Obviously you are speaking before thinking, like many around here)

[LZH]

He is the longest tenured coach in a BCS conference never to make a BCS bowl, after all.

Is that actually true?

[Fatty McGee]

I am not sure what our fans want anymore.

I think they want to win.  Just guessing, though.

You are partially correct.  They want to win, but only with certain players, and certain plays.  Win any other way and it is not good enough.  Look at how some went on and on last year when we barely beat Vandy & Bama.

When you struggle with teams you should beat soundly, it is worrisome, don't you think?

[hogsanity]

I am not sure what our fans want anymore.

I think they want to win.  Just guessing, though.

You are partially correct.  They want to win, but only with certain players, and certain plays.  Win any other way and it is not good enough.  Look at how some went on and on last year when we barely beat Vandy & Bama.

When you struggle with teams you should beat soundly, it is worrisome, don't you think?

NO.  When you LOSE to teams you should beat soundly, that is worrisome.  IE, Aub LOSING to SF, GA losing to SC this year or Vandy last year.  Mich losing to App St. 

[Feralhog]

Unfortunately, I think wish it were true.

Fixed that for ya

Why would I wish it were true?

I don't know.  Why do you embrace mediocrity?

Uhh, what? I don't. I am the biggest darksider there is. I hate Nutt. (my SN should tell you that, even if you haven't read my multiple posts saying so. Obviously you are speaking before thinking, like many around here)

Ok, this is starting to read like a who's on first routine.  I guess I'm just trying to make sense out of your posts.  I'll make it simple.  If Arkansas was as tough a place to coach as the idiot claims in his article, Nutt would be gone.  I assumed you would agree, but at this stage, I don't give a frik.   

[Fatty McGee]

I am not sure what our fans want anymore.

I think they want to win.  Just guessing, though.

You are partially correct.  They want to win, but only with certain players, and certain plays.  Win any other way and it is not good enough.  Look at how some went on and on last year when we barely beat Vandy & Bama.

When you struggle with teams you should beat soundly, it is worrisome, don't you think?

NO.  When you LOSE to teams you should beat soundly, that is worrisome.  IE, Aub LOSING to SF, GA losing to SC this year or Vandy last year.  Mich losing to App St. 

Or Arkansas losing to Vandy? 

[TheHogFan]

The reaction to the article justifies the ranking.

YEP

Most fan bases would take pride in this ranking. The reaction here is kind of strange. It appears some of our fans think that this ranking is somehow support for Nutt? I do not think I understand that, but apparently anything that says that Nutt has a tough job is wrong, and the writer is obviously an idiot. That is the only thing I can muster.

[dmac4sainthood]

It is a hard place to coach, but not for the same reasons as the other place.  They didn't even mention that we don't have natural (in-state) access to the quantity of talent as some of those other places.  

By the way, whether or not you want to admit to this, this is the only school on the planet that would fire a BB coach after consecutive trips to the tournament and 20 win seasons and want to fire a coach after a ten win football season and a January bowl.  (Both of those)  My friend from the midwest said, "you guys are tough on your coaches, and it seems regardless, you don't like them very much...your baseball coach better watch out!"  I laughed, but to some extent, the level of happiness when we win vs anger when we lose at times does not seem to balance out.  This website is a fine example of the anger which is directed at the athletic program.  I am not saying it is unwarranted, but the list was the top 10 challenging schools to coach at, and I agree we are on that list because of the fans, which is both a good thing, and bad thing.

If we beat Bama, there will be a bunch of people still angry rather than being excited in the moment, and that is sort of sad, and can't be said for any other school on that list.  

Nutt does have a tough job for one very big reason...no matter what he does at this point, no one will let the past go...ever.  Unless we somehow win a NC, which this year we could...not will...but could be 11-0 headed to Baton Rouge and lose a game that frankly we ought to, and the fan base will be angry.  If we go 11-1, and our loss is to LSU, that is not a reason to be angry.  It just isn't.

[Feralhog]

I am not sure what our fans want anymore.

I think they want to win.  Just guessing, though.

You are partially correct.  They want to win, but only with certain players, and certain plays.  Win any other way and it is not good enough.  Look at how some went on and on last year when we barely beat Vandy & Bama.

When you struggle with teams you should beat soundly, it is worrisome, don't you think?

NO.  When you LOSE to teams you should beat soundly, that is worrisome.  IE, Aub LOSING to SF, GA losing to SC this year or Vandy last year.  Mich losing to App St. 

Or Arkansas losing to Vandy? 

Hold on a second mister.  Nutt had a free pass on that one.  Carr had no free pass you friken hater.

[NuttinItUp]

Unfortunately, I think wish it were true.

Fixed that for ya

Why would I wish it were true?

I don't know.  Why do you embrace mediocrity?

Uhh, what? I don't. I am the biggest darksider there is. I hate Nutt. (my SN should tell you that, even if you haven't read my multiple posts saying so. Obviously you are speaking before thinking, like many around here)

Ok, this is starting to read like a who's on first routine.  I guess I'm just trying to make sense out of you posts.  I'll make it simple.  If Arkansas was as tough a place to coach as the idiot claims in his article, Nutt would be gone.  I assumed you would agree, but at this stage, I don't give a frik.   

Well, I disagree. I know you don't care, but I do. I think it is "tough" in one sense, and "easy" in one sense. It is easy as you pointed out (the 2 year pass, etc. that everyone else has mentioned) and tough in the fan expectations, that fans FOI you, etc. Unfortunately, the expectations of the fans (or the majority of them anyway) do not match up with the expectations of the administration, thereby creating a disparity and causing fans to do things that maybe they shouldn't out of frustration. (which creates a "worst of both worlds" type situation) I could go on, but like you said, you don't care.

[dmac4sainthood]

I am not sure what our fans want anymore.

I think they want to win.  Just guessing, though.

You are partially correct.  They want to win, but only with certain players, and certain plays.  Win any other way and it is not good enough.  Look at how some went on and on last year when we barely beat Vandy & Bama.

That is by far the trueist thing ever said on this board.  The following is pathetic and there is no argument against it:  We have the most talented player in the SEC since Bo Jackson...yes, I said the great one's name, possibly the most freakish back ever in the history of college football from a talent perspective.  However, as a fanbase we can't get over a Freshman QB who frankly took some lumps as expected, a disgruntled WR (who had it so bad that he was named all FR SEC), and a coach who 18 months ago was a HS coach in the lowest populated southern state, not saying he isn't a good or great coach, but his accomplishments while celebrated in the state, were largely based on talent compared to his competition...for the record, I think Gus will do well and I wish him nothing but the best.  Why we can't as a fan say, I don't like what happened, but it is what it is, and I will go on and support that freak of a running back, his partner in crime who is also very very good, and the 80 or so other players who lay their heart out there each 45 weeks a year (full commitment of DI football) is kind of sad.  Whether or not Malzahn, Mustain, and Williams had potential, which they did, is at this point totally irrelevant.

It is this attitude that prevails that makes us a joke...it isn't just the coaches, it is to some respect the fans inability to move on when we fail to realize we are not only beating a dead horse, we are kicking its @$$.

[Mark Martin Fan]

The writer is not an idiot, as asserted above.  The goings on have been documented in the national media.  The thing is, outside of some hog fans, NO ONE CARES who transferred, who the hc was texting, where the oc went.  They just dont care.

Maybe the writer knew Nutt got a 2-year pass (Frank's bad call in my opinion) and knew Nutt had to have a good season...then Arkansas finished in the top 20 and people FOIed his phone records and sued the administration for how an issue was handled.  Is it common for teams to finish in the top 20 and have these things happen?  I don't think so...but maybe somebody can provide me with some examples. 

Now, don't call me a hugger.  The real problem is that Nutt was given a 2-year pass by Frank and his boys.  That was a huge mistake and should not have happened.  Most people seem to want to blame Nutt for not getting fired when it is Frank's fault.  I'm not saying Frank has not done a good job as AD, but he should have let Nutt go to Nebraska and then found someone else. 

Oh...GO HOGS...BEAT BAMA!!!!!

What happened from the last part of last season through the offseason isn't common anywhere.  I'll give you credit for being smart enough to realize that. 

Thanks for the credit...although you are probably referring to a lot of things Nutt is blamed for, I was referring to how the fans reacted after finishing in the top 20.  I noticed you didn't provide any examples of other fans doing these types of things after finishing in the top 20.

As for the Malzahn/MM/DW issues, I blame coach Broyles once again.  When an AD has to tell a coach to hire new assitants, that is one thing...when he doesn't trust the coach to decide who to hire and has to tell him who to hire and then forces the new hire down his throat when he knows the coach is totally against the hire, then that is very poor management.  The AD should fire the head coach and find someone he can trust to hire decent assistants or let the coach hire who he wants. 

Once again, this was a bad call by Frank and it is one of the reasons he has been told to step down.  FB has done a good job as AD, but his handling of Nutt/Nebraska and OC/Malzahn has been very poor and is the main reason FB will not be the AD in 2008. 

I don't think Nutt is a good coach and we could get better, but when a company has a poor performing employee...who is to blame for the poor employee staying with the company???...the employee or the boss???...the BOSS!!!

OH...GO HOGS...BEAT BAMA!!!!

[Hogdomer]

If Nutt would have been fired in Dec. 2005 after two losing seasons, then I don't think Arkansas makes this list. 

The fact that he was under more scrutiny after a 10 win season where we ended up ranked #15 than after we went 4-7 is what perplexes those looking in from the outside.  You can call Bruce Feldman an idiot all you want, but until you can explain why this is the case succintly and accurately, then we will continue to be regarded as crazy and irrational fans.

[Feralhog]

I am not sure what our fans want anymore.

I think they want to win.  Just guessing, though.

You are partially correct.  They want to win, but only with certain players, and certain plays.  Win any other way and it is not good enough.  Look at how some went on and on last year when we barely beat Vandy & Bama.

That is by far the trueist thing ever said on this board.  The following is pathetic and there is no argument against it:  We have the most talented player in the SEC since Bo Jackson...yes, I said the great one's name, possibly the most freakish back ever in the history of college football from a talent perspective.  However, as a fanbase we can't get over a Freshman QB who frankly took some lumps as expected, a disgruntled WR (who had it so bad that he was named all FR SEC), and a coach who 18 months ago was a HS coach in the lowest populated southern state, not saying he isn't a good or great coach, but his accomplishments while celebrated in the state, were largely based on talent compared to his competition...for the record, I think Gus will do well and I wish him nothing but the best.  Why we can't as a fan say, I don't like what happened, but it is what it is, and I will go on and support that freak of a running back, his partner in crime who is also very very good, and the 80 or so other players who lay their heart out there each 45 weeks a year (full commitment of DI football) is kind of sad.  Whether or not Malzahn, Mustain, and Williams had potential, which they did, is at this point totally irrelevant.

It is this attitude that prevails that makes us a joke...it isn't just the coaches, it is to some respect the fans inability to move on when we fail to realize we are not only beating a dead horse, we are kicking its @$$.

Where you this pissed when Darren only got 1 touch against Vanderbilt in '05?  Do you remember the excuse Nutt gave?  I do. 

[Fatty McGee]

That is by far the trueist thing ever said on this board.  The following is pathetic and there is no argument against it:  We have the most talented player in the SEC since Bo Jackson...yes, I said the great one's name, possibly the most freakish back ever in the history of college football from a talent perspective.  However, as a fanbase we can't get over a Freshman QB who frankly took some lumps as expected, a disgruntled WR, and a coach who 18 months ago was a HS coach in the lowest populated southern state.

If only you were correct.  See, here's the problem with that theory - none of it would matter if Nutt was a winner.  But he's not.  If HDN had a 75% winning percentage instead of a 60% winning percentage, those things aren't such a big deal.  People would think, correctly, that he was a good enough coach to survive losing those kind of players.  But again, he's not.

What you cite is simply a symptom of him not being a winner, but it all stems from his lack of production.

[hoggystyle78]

None of the other schools on that list would've put up with Nutt's schitt this year, much less back to back losing seasons. That writer is wrong, the difference between us the other schools on that list is their administrations and fans WILL NOT ACCEPT MEDIOCRE RESULTS, ours, as has been proven, will, as long as the $$$$ flows in.

[Fatty McGee]

If Nutt would have been fired in Dec. 2005 after two losing seasons, then I don't think Arkansas makes this list. 

The fact that he was under more scrutiny after a 10 win season where we ended up ranked #15 than after we went 4-7 is what perplexes those looking in from the outside.  You can call Bruce Feldman an idiot all you want, but until you can explain why this is the case succintly and accurately, then we will continue to be regarded as crazy and irrational fans.

Succintly?  How many times have people posted Nutt's career stats?  How much more succintness and accuracy does one need?

PS - people should stop crowing about 10-4.  It's the equivalent of 7-3 in the old days, or an average Hatfield record, in other words.