The Biggest Problem With Our FB Program

[hawgbawb]

Recruiting. We can't consistently compete against the 4 and 5 star athletes that populate many of the rosters of our SEC opponents.

As much as I like Fayetteville, it is not in a fertile recruiting ground. The geographic area is sparsely-populated, and there are few elite, African Americans, and very little cultural attraction for African Americans. Little Rock used to be pretty good, but it's football culture is a shadow of its former self.

Our 1960s heyday was prior to integration. We've struggled since.

If you look at Hogville, where we have posters with rebel flags, a State flag with imagery that mimicks one, and avatars of confederate soldiers, you get the picture of the challenge we face.

[Qui Gon Jinn]

I see you stated your opinion of the problem.  Now what is your solution?

[HawgPound]

I would not necessarily base it on race but Arkansas High School football is down. It also does not help that not many are running the type of offense Bielema is.

[Pork Twain]

Recruiting. We can't consistently compete against the 4 and 5 star athletes that populate many of the rosters of our SEC opponents.

As much as I like Fayetteville, it is not in a fertile recruiting ground. The geographic area is sparsely-populated, and there are few elite, African Americans, and very little cultural attraction for African Americans. Little Rock used to be pretty good, but it's football culture is a shadow of its former self.

Our 1960s heyday was prior to integration. We've struggled since.

If you look at Hogville, where we have posters with rebel flags, a State flag with imagery that mimicks one, and avatars of confederate soldiers, you get the picture of the challenge we face.

You are right on the money...about the recruiting.  The Rebel Flag is all over the place.  Hell I live in Charlottesville and you see what is going on there.  Our recruiting base will always be weak compared to the rest of the SEC.

[hawgbawb]

I see you stated your opinion of the problem.  Now what is your solution?

Step 1 is recognize the problem.

[elksnort]

Yeah, because Alabama has no fans with rebel flag avatars or anything.

[hawgmasta]

Yeah, because Alabama has no fans with rebel flag avatars or anything.

Yeah the demographics part I agree with, but a lot of our sec brethren are in towns and areas that are much more . . I don't know how else to say it but racist than NWA. NWA is surprisingly liberal compared to other similar sized southern towns.

[Qui Gon Jinn]

Step 1 is recognize the problem.

I don't disagree, but that's not much of a solution.  Are you proposing moving to a new conference?  pay players?  etc...  I still don't see a solution proposed.

Recruiting is an issue.  I'm not sure I buy your premise as to why its an issue.  It may be a part of the issue, but it isn't the whole issue.

[Inhogswetrust]

Recruiting. We can't consistently compete against the 4 and 5 star athletes that populate many of the rosters of our SEC opponents.

As much as I like Fayetteville, it is not in a fertile recruiting ground. The geographic area is sparsely-populated, and there are few elite, African Americans, and very little cultural attraction for African Americans. Little Rock used to be pretty good, but it's football culture is a shadow of its former self.

Our 1960s heyday was prior to integration. We've struggled since.

If you look at Hogville, where we have posters with rebel flags, a State flag with imagery that mimicks one, and avatars of confederate soldiers, you get the picture of the challenge we face.

Spoken like a true confused liberal that doesn't think about all the facts involved. What makes you think the other teams from around the conference don't also have fans on their boards with that same junk? They do. I see more confederate battle flags in Memphis than I've ever seen in Arkansas. Go to TN, AL, GA, MS, LS, KY, FL, TX and MO. ALL of those states have people doing that stuff online or live in person.

P.S. That being said I think Morgan Freeman is right. Why notate minorities by their ancestry. He said he is American not African American. Nobody ever referred to me as European American. We are all Americans. No real need to add anything to that.

[farmhawg]

Nope, it's all about leadership. Until that is fixed nothing else will matter. The right coach with this talent will win.

[Inhogswetrust]

I see you stated your opinion of the problem.  Now what is your solution?

Hawgbawb would have every recruit drive electric cars...............

[ICEman]

In terms of state flags, care to guess this one?

[Qui Gon Jinn]

Yeah the demographics part I agree with, but a lot of our sec brethren are in towns and areas that are much more . . I don't know how else to say it but racist than NWA. NWA is surprisingly liberal compared to other similar sized southern towns.

Agreed.  I've lived all over this country and I've seen this first hand. 

[harrisburghog]

Are there no rebel flags in Mississippi,Alabama,Tennessee and Georgia anymore? Are there any confederate statues in those states? We have a small recruiting base but using race as an excuse for the programs sorry state  is reaching and pathetic.

[Torqued pork]

I've said for years we should become Hip-Hop U. and encourage man buns.

[jrulz83]

Global warming is the biggest problem with FB.

[Redhogs]

Recruiting. We can't consistently compete against the 4 and 5 star athletes that populate many of the rosters of our SEC opponents.

As much as I like Fayetteville, it is not in a fertile recruiting ground. The geographic area is sparsely-populated, and there are few elite, African Americans, and very little cultural attraction for African Americans. Little Rock used to be pretty good, but it's football culture is a shadow of its former self.

Our 1960s heyday was prior to integration. We've struggled since.

If you look at Hogville, where we have posters with rebel flags, a State flag with imagery that mimicks one, and avatars of confederate soldiers, you get the picture of the challenge we face.

Good god ...just stop.  Do you even eat your breakfast without seeing racism in the cereal?  0 to do with anything here.

[onebadrubi]

Recruiting. We can't consistently compete against the 4 and 5 star athletes that populate many of the rosters of our SEC opponents.

As much as I like Fayetteville, it is not in a fertile recruiting ground. The geographic area is sparsely-populated, and there are few elite, African Americans, and very little cultural attraction for African Americans. Little Rock used to be pretty good, but it's football culture is a shadow of its former self.

Our 1960s heyday was prior to integration. We've struggled since.

If you look at Hogville, where we have posters with rebel flags, a State flag with imagery that mimicks one, and avatars of confederate soldiers, you get the picture of the challenge we face.

The ONLY team we haven't been competitive against at times is Bama.  So I'm personally not buying into it being ALL on the shoulders of the jimmy and joes. 

[AFWarrior83]

Recruiting. We can't consistently compete against the 4 and 5 star athletes that populate many of the rosters of our SEC opponents.

As much as I like Fayetteville, it is not in a fertile recruiting ground. The geographic area is sparsely-populated, and there are few elite, African Americans, and very little cultural attraction for African Americans. Little Rock used to be pretty good, but it's football culture is a shadow of its former self.

Our 1960s heyday was prior to integration. We've struggled since.

If you look at Hogville, where we have posters with rebel flags, a State flag with imagery that mimicks one, and avatars of confederate soldiers, you get the picture of the challenge we face.

The coaching staff.

[Qui Gon Jinn]

Nope, it's all about leadership. Until that is fixed nothing else will matter. The right coach with this talent will win.

This.  And its across the board.  Coaching and admin.  I keep hearing about our "facilites" and how nice they are.  Then I hear about other teams' facilities and they seem to eclipse us.  I hear we aren't recruiting in the right places. 

We can't out Alabama, Alabama.  Hard to out recruit a place where they can show you all their recent NC rings.  Petrino took us to #5.  He had a system and knew how to recruit to it and develop players for it.  I don't see that right now.  CBB has a desired system, but hasn't done well recruiting players for said system and has shown less ability in developing players for said system. 

[hawgbawb]

Yeah the demographics part I agree with, but a lot of our sec brethren are in towns and areas that are much more . . I don't know how else to say it but racist than NWA. NWA is surprisingly liberal compared to other similar sized southern towns.

But everybody's white or latino. The AA population is very small.  Where does an African American student go to have a good time? Tulsa?

[Redhogs]

But everybody's white or latino. The AA population is very small.  Where does an African American student go to have a good time? Tulsa?

Dixon St.

[Ironhawg]

But everybody's white or latino. The AA population is very small.  Where does an African American student go to have a good time? Tulsa?

The biggest problem with our football program is sitting in the head coach's office. 

[hawgbawb]

Hawgbawb would have every recruit drive electric cars...............

You don't like folks that are different? Maybe you should look in the mirror?

[hawgbawb]

The biggest problem with our football program is sitting in the head coach's office. 

Like I said. Step 1 is recognize the problem.

[Qui Gon Jinn]

Like I said. Step 1 is recognize the problem.

This isn't what you said the problem was.  Make up your mind.

[hawgbawb]

Nolan Richardson stated the problem, but the good ole boys wouldn't listen.

[Hogwild]

Recruiting. We can't consistently compete against the 4 and 5 star athletes that populate many of the rosters of our SEC opponents.

We lost by a combined 47 points against two teams we out recruited (TCU & USCe), that isn't our biggest problem.

[Athog]

Yeah, because Alabama has no fans with rebel flag avatars or anything.

Great point! The Rebel flag is not the problem. NWA is very liberal compared to Auburn, LSU, Miss, miss State.

[Hoggish1]

Tell me how many cultural attractions there are in Stillwater, OK for black players.  I'll hang up and listen...

[Redhogs]

We lost by a combined 47 points against two teams we out recruited (TCU & USCe), that isn't our biggest problem.

Thank you.

[farmhawg]

[conwaycarl]

There is a problem with recruiting at the UA but the rebel flag isn't it. I have been on vacation all over the west and north and I can tell you I have seen more rebel flags in places like central Missouri to Iowa South Dakota and Colorado and Wyoming than I have in Arkansas. Do we have them flying here? Yes but I see more up north than here.

[hawgbawb]

The ONLY team we haven't been competitive against at times is Bama.  So I'm personally not buying into it being ALL on the shoulders of the jimmy and joes. 

Didn't say "all." Said "biggest."

I spent a lot of time in Tuscaloosa when I was managing two expansions to their stadium. They do also have a legacy of racism. But they are in an area with tons of African American culture, such as Birmingham, which is very close by.

Alabama is rated #282 nationally among colleges and universities, in cultural diversity See here:    https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/the-university-of-alabama/student-life/diversity/

Arkansas is rated #381  http://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/university-of-arkansas/student-life/diversity/

[hoglady]

Our biggest problem at this moment in Razorback history is the Head Hog on the sideline.

[Torqued pork]

There is a problem with recruiting at the UA but the rebel flag isn't it. I have been on vacation all over the west and north and I can tell you I have seen more rebel flags in places like central Missouri to Iowa South Dakota and Colorado and Wyoming than I have in Arkansas. Do we have them flying here? Yes but I see more up north than here.

Bernie-loving bawb would have us think blacks are forced to stay in separate dorms on the wrong side of the tracks.

[Kevin]

please keep the liberal rhetoric in the politics forum

[hawgbawb]

Tell me how many cultural attractions there are in Stillwater, OK for black players.  I'll hang up and listen...

Stillwater is close to OKC and closer to Tulsa than Arkansas.  Plus we are talking about the SEC. Do you really think OSU would be killing it in the SEC?

[Redhogs]

I think it is posters like the OP who make excuses for problems that don't exist, while ignoring the one that do ...like coaching and leadership.

[Redhogs]

please keep the liberal rhetoric in the politics forum

x10000

[hawgbawb]

Bernie-loving bawb would have us think blacks are forced to stay in separate dorms on the wrong side of the tracks.

We're talking about FB recruiting. Keep that talk in Political forum.

[Inhogswetrust]

You don't like folks that are different? Maybe you should look in the mirror?

Really? Try again. I have a Japanese daughter in law, a cousin married to a black, black friends, etc. My wife's former business partner is a black immigrant from Nigeria.  A lot of people I do business with in the hotel industry which I serve are Indian. I even have some liberal friends I like. What I do NOT like is unabashed liberalism OR conservatism using views, stats, data or facts without thinking first.  I bet I'd even like you if I got to know you. That doesn't mean I wouldn't think some of your viewpoints are dumb. My best friend that died a couple of years ago has an older sister that we are still close friends with. She was the only one in her whole family that is liberal and actually worked for the Clintons when he was Governor. We love to see her when we go to NWA for visits and games.

[hawgbawb]

Really? Try again. I have a Japanese daughter in law, a cousin married to a black, black friends, etc. My wife's former business partner is a black immigrant from Nigeria.  A lot of people I do business with ion  the hotel industry when I serve are Indian. I even have some liberal friends I like. What I do NOT like is unabashed liberalism OR conservatism using views, stats, data or facts without thinking first.  I bet I'd even like you if I got to know you. That doesn't mean I wouldn't think some of your viewpoints are dumb. My best friend that died a couple of years ago has an older sister that we are still close friends with. She was the only one in her whole family that is liberal and actually worked for the Clintons when he was Governor. We love to see here when we go to NWA for visits and games.

Really? Try again. I have a Japanese daughter in law, a cousin married to a black, black friends, etc. My wife's former business partner is a black immigrant from Nigeria.  A lot of people I do business with ion  the hotel industry when I serve are Indian. I even have some liberal friends I like. What I do NOT like is unabashed liberalism OR conservatism using views, stats, data or facts without thinking first.  I bet I'd even like you if I got to know you. That doesn't mean I wouldn't think some of your viewpoints are dumb. My best friend that died a couple of years ago has an older sister that we are still close friends with. She was the only one in her whole family that is liberal and actually worked for the Clintons when he was Governor. We love to see here when we go to NWA for visits and games.

My apologies. It seemed like you were trying to make this discussion about me.

[forrest city joe]

Recruiting. We can't consistently compete against the 4 and 5 star athletes that populate many of the rosters of our SEC opponents.

As much as I like Fayetteville, it is not in a fertile recruiting ground. The geographic area is sparsely-populated, and there are few elite, African Americans, and very little cultural attraction for African Americans. Little Rock used to be pretty good, but it's football culture is a shadow of its former self.

Our 1960s heyday was prior to integration. We've struggled since.

If you look at Hogville, where we have posters with rebel flags, a State flag with imagery that mimicks one, and avatars of confederate soldiers, you get the picture of the challenge we face.

How did CBP win big here.how does he have 4 D-Linemen he recruited to Arkansas playing in the NFL?Arkansas has not and will not ever be loaded with 4 and 5 star players. but we have enough talent here to be better than this BS.yes talent is the number one thing. but TN has talent.and they are not doing so well.Arkansas needs a great coach to get the most out of the talent we do get. and we don't have it.there are no excuses for the Hogs being this bad.

[Redhogs]

Really? Try again. I have a Japanese daughter in law, a cousin married to a black, black friends, etc. My wife's former business partner is a black immigrant from Nigeria.  A lot of people I do business with ion  the hotel industry when I serve are Indian. I even have some liberal friends I like. What I do NOT like is unabashed liberalism OR conservatism using views, stats, data or facts without thinking first.  I bet I'd even like you if I got to know you. That doesn't mean I wouldn't think some of your viewpoints are dumb. My best friend that died a couple of years ago has an older sister that we are still close friends with. She was the only one in her whole family that is liberal and actually worked for the Clintons when he was Governor. We love to see here when we go to NWA for visits and games.

Don't even try...this guy is a bomb thrower... ignore him...I'm going to from now on.

[hawgbawb]

I'm not saying the coaching staff is blameless. We've been through lots of coaches. Only Petrino had the level of success we aspire to, and we don't know if it was sustainable.

[hawgbawb]

Don't even try...this guy is a bomb thrower... ignore him...I'm going to from now on.

Why not respond to Reply #33, instead of making it about me? 

[DeltaBoy]

We don't have the instate recruiting base ! This Staff started out well but the past 3 years have tanked.

[tophawg19]

I don't disagree, but that's not much of a solution.  Are you proposing moving to a new conference?  pay players?  etc...  I still don't see a solution proposed.

Recruiting is an issue.  I'm not sure I buy your premise as to why its an issue.  It may be a part of the issue, but it isn't the whole issue.

the solution is to hire a coach and assistants known as good recruiters and that puts an exciting product on the field. players will travel for a good staff

[East Clintwood]

But everybody's white or latino. The AA population is very small.  Where does an African American student go to have a good time? Tulsa?

So how do you want to fix that? 

You want to start forcing people to move to balance the racial makeup of a towns population?  Or maybe just bus people around from city to city.