If we could get any of the coaches already mentioned, I'de pick

[hawg IQ]

Kirby Smart for a lot of reasons.  He's part of something sucessful already. coaches defense and lord know we need defense here. He's be the man.

[CabotHog87]

But that's Saban's defense!! He'd have no idea how to run it!

Sarcasm off

[BatesvilleHOG]

Kirby Smart on D
Sonny Dykes on O

That looks wicked

[Hydroguy87]

I/m not completely sold on Kirby just yet. Is he really a defensive guru like his boss, or is he just another Paul Petrino? We all know that is Saban's defense. So how would Kirby do as a HC? I dont know and neither does anyone else really. Just a chance I dont think i am willing to take at this point and time.  IMO, we need proven, successful current HC.

[bcdeputy]

Kirby Smart is my favorite pick too.  I also like Brent Venables. 

I like the idea of hiring a co-ordinator from a major winning program to come to Arkansas.  Just like Oklahoma did with Bob Stoops when they hired him. 

[AchieveHog]

But that's Saban's defense!! He'd have no idea how to run it!

Sarcasm off

Arkansas can do better than Smart, and more than likely will. Just because you hire Saban's right hand person, doesn't mean that you can beat them, remember that.

[CabotHog87]

Arkansas can do better than Smart, and more than likely will. Just because you hire Saban's right hand person, doesn't mean that you can beat them, remember that.

Oh I'm not arguing that we should go for Smart and be done with it. I think we could do much better. The argument that it's Saban's D and he doesn't run it gets old though. Why bother paying him if he knows nothing about how to run the defense? I'm sure Bama could use his salary for something else if that's the case. Like if he was the HC here he'd be completely clueless on the defensive side of the ball.... Riiiiiiight. And let's say it is Saban's D and he calls all the shots, if I was Kirby Smart I damn sure would have been taking notes this whole time.

[GoHogs1091]

I also like Brent Venables. 

I like the idea of hiring a co-ordinator from a major winning program to come to Arkansas.  Just like Oklahoma did with Bob Stoops when they hired him. 

I have decided that if we don't hire Butch Davis, then our next best option after Davis would be Brent Venables.

There is a lengthy list of positives as it relates to Venables.

Associate Head Coach with Bob Stoops at Oklahoma

Coached with Bill Snyder at Kansas State for 6 years (Assistant Coach from 1996-1998 and a Graduate Assistant from 1993-1995)

Venables owns a National Championship Ring as a Coach

Venables has extensive recruiting connections in the State of Texas.  He has also recruited in Florida, New Jersey, Virginia, and Atlanta, GA.   

Venables has coached in 9 bowl games that are currently considered BCS bowls.

Was Defensive Coordinator at Oklahoma from 2004-2011

Venables' 2004 OU Defense was 11th in the nation in scoring defense, 11th in rushing defense, and 13th in total defense.

His 2005 defense was fourth in the nation in rushing defense and 13th in total defense.

Broyles Award finalist in 2006 when Oklahoma led the Big 12 in total defense and scoring defense.

In 2008, his defense was in the top three in nearly every Big 12 defensive category despite facing 11 of the top-50 scoring offenses in the nation.

His 2010 defense was seventh in the nation in turnover margin and 13th in pass efficiency defense.

Linebackers under his direction were named Big 12 Defensive Player-of-the-Year five times and Big 12 Defensive Newcomer-of-the-Year five times. He also coached two Butkus Award winners and two other Butkus Award finalists.

Venables is currently having to overhaul the Clemson Defense from the Kevin Steele defensive philosophy (Steele was Clemson's prior DC).  Venables is having to change the Clemson defensive culture/mindset.  Venables has made significant progress with the Clemson Defense (while dealing with injuries in their Secondary).     

[mellonhead]

When you got 4 and 5 star players at nearly every position its pretty easy to be a defensive guru.

[HawgFan70]

Lets not take into consideration that coordinators get eaten alive in the SEC as a general rule. I doubt the fact that if Smart had any success here he bolts to Bama or Georgia at 1st offer should come into play either. I believe I would take Butch Davis over Smart putting Smart last on my list. I do not care about being an experimental coaching stop for the Bammers or Bulldogs.

[Torqued pork]

If we go the college assistant route Smart makes more sense than anyone imo.

Rightly or wrongly there seemed to be plenty of Sooner fans who were ready to see Venables leave.

[Eli Cash Ph.D]

Kirby is Nick's Paul.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

If we go the college assistant route Smart makes more sense than anyone imo.

Rightly or wrongly there seemed to be plenty of Sooner fans who were ready to see Venables leave.

Problem is, we "think" that Smart would be great, but we don't know. We assume that because he has matriculated under Saban that he would produce similar results. We thought the same about Paul Petrino. Just sayin.

As for Venables leaving OU, that was a good thing for them. As bad as ND's offense made OU's defense look under Mike Stoops, it would have been even worse under Venables.

OU's Defensive rank under Stoops compared to Clemson's Defense rank under Venables:

                     TY              LY
Oklahoma         17              55
Clemson           82              71

I know why they were glad to get rid of Venables and you can see why now as well.

[Tim Harris]

Lets not take into consideration that coordinators get eaten alive in the SEC as a general rule. I doubt the fact that if Smart had any success here he bolts to Bama or Georgia at 1st offer should come into play either. I believe I would take Butch Davis over Smart putting Smart last on my list. I do not care about being an experimental coaching stop for the Bammers or Bulldogs.

All your fears of him leaving for Bama or UGA are easily taken care of with the contract.

Richt and Muschamp seem to be doing well. Mullen is having some success at Starkville. Sure their are failures but there are also guys who have had success.

[jcul28]

Mark Stoops>Kirby Smart>Brent Venables

[Chief Mac]

Kirby Smart for a lot of reasons.  He's part of something sucessful already. coaches defense and lord know we need defense here. He's be the man.

so of ALL the coaches mentioned, you would go with the high risk/high reward type?  You are the type of guy that helps casinos stay in business.

[Eli Cash Ph.D]

Kirby Smart for a lot of reasons.  He's part of something sucessful already. coaches defense and lord know we need defense here. He's be the man.

Let him detach himself from Saban's teet before handing him a head job.

[GoHogs1091]

As for Venables leaving OU, that was a good thing for them. As bad as ND's offense made OU's defense look under Mike Stoops, it would have been even worse under Venables.

OU's Defensive rank under Stoops compared to Clemson's Defense rank under Venables:

                     TY              LY
Oklahoma         17              55
Clemson           82              71

I know why they were glad to get rid of Venables and you can see why now as well.

Bob Stoops and Mike Stoops didn't want Venables to leave.  In fact, Bob Stoops and Mike Stoops wanted to put Venables in charge of the Defense.  The following is from the following article.

"If I had stayed, Coach (Bob Stoops) and Mike and everybody else administratively wanted to put me in charge (of the defense)," Venables told Rowland.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/OU/article.aspx?subjectid=92&articleid=20120120_92_B1_CUTLIN825353

In 2011, with Venables as the OU Defensive Coordinator, OU won at Manhattan, KS with Kansas State scoring 17 total points. 

In 2012, with Mike Stoops as the OU Defensive Coordinator, OU lost in Norman, OK with Kansas State scoring 24 total points.

We will have to just agree to disagree regarding what would have occurred regarding Notre Dame against OU if Venables had been OU's Defensive Coordinator instead of Mike Stoops.  I watched a lot of that OU/Notre Dame game, and from what I saw, the OU Defense's gap control/gap responsibility is simply not as good this season as it was when Venables was the DC.  Additionally, from what I saw watching that OU/Notre Dame game, OU's Defense this season is not as physical as it was when Venables was the DC. 

Taking those 2 aspects into account (the less gap control/gap responsibility and the less physicality), Notre Dame probably would not have made it to the 30 point mark against OU if Venables had been the OU DC.

This season is the first season in Bob Stoops' tenure as OU's Head Coach that Venables is not defensive coaching at OU.  It is not a coincidence that this season is also the first season in Bob Stoops' tenure at OU's Head Coach that Bob has lost 2 games in Norman in the same season.

Even Bob Stoops would probably say in private that it is basically almost impossible to replace a very high quality Defensive Coach such as Venables.         



 

[SkunkyMunky]

But that's Saban's defense!! He'd have no idea how to run it!

Sarcasm off

I don't know either way, but Paul sure isn't Bobby.

[racingpossum]

Brent Venables IS A CAREER ASSISTANT. Some of you guys need to understand that.

Kirby Smart will get a head job, but I I think he sees limited success as a head coach.

[GoHogs1091]

Brent Venables IS A CAREER ASSISTANT. Some of you guys need to understand that.

Kirby Smart will get a head job, but I I think he sees limited success as a head coach.

Venables turned down the University of Miami back in 2010.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5869549

Don't be surprised if Bill Snyder retires at the end of the season at Kansas State that Venables is the replacement for Snyder.

Edit for additional information:  Venables was the Associate Head Coach at OU.  Venables has quasi head coaching experience.   

[unpredictableacts]

Wade Philips

[Tim Harris]

Don't be surprised if Bill Snyder retires at the end of the season at Kansas State that Venables is the replacement for Snyder.

Snyder has already began lobbying for his son to get the job whenever he decides to retire again.

[dirtdobber]

Since I do not believe that Arkansas can get an "A list" coach, I think if we have any chance of winning an SEC championship it will be with a young, energetic coach who comes from a disciplined, winning program.  The retreads such as Davis and Tubby might get the program back on track to win 8 or 9 games but will never be able to win an SEC championship at Arkansas.  It will take someone who has the energy and drive to build a powerhouse program through recruiting.  Kirby Smart would be a good choice.  He knows the discipline that is needed to win.  He's young and a good recruiter.  He knows what it takes to win. 

[Eli Cash Ph.D]

Snyder has already began lobbying for his son to get the job whenever he decides to retire again.

Yup...and after a trip to the NC game this season he rides off into the sunset and hands the reigns to his boy.

[imisswarrenlinn]

I have decided that if we don't hire Butch Davis, then our next best option after Davis would be Brent Venables.

There is a lengthy list of positives as it relates to Venables.

Associate Head Coach with Bob Stoops at Oklahoma

Coached with Bill Snyder at Kansas State for 6 years (Assistant Coach from 1996-1998 and a Graduate Assistant from 1993-1995)

Venables owns a National Championship Ring as a Coach

Venables has extensive recruiting connections in the State of Texas.  He has also recruited in Florida, New Jersey, Virginia, and Atlanta, GA.   

Venables has coached in 9 bowl games that are currently considered BCS bowls.

Was Defensive Coordinator at Oklahoma from 2004-2011

Venables' 2004 OU Defense was 11th in the nation in scoring defense, 11th in rushing defense, and 13th in total defense.

His 2005 defense was fourth in the nation in rushing defense and 13th in total defense.

Broyles Award finalist in 2006 when Oklahoma led the Big 12 in total defense and scoring defense.

In 2008, his defense was in the top three in nearly every Big 12 defensive category despite facing 11 of the top-50 scoring offenses in the nation.

His 2010 defense was seventh in the nation in turnover margin and 13th in pass efficiency defense.

Linebackers under his direction were named Big 12 Defensive Player-of-the-Year five times and Big 12 Defensive Newcomer-of-the-Year five times. He also coached two Butkus Award winners and two other Butkus Award finalists.

Venables is currently having to overhaul the Clemson Defense from the Kevin Steele defensive philosophy (Steele was Clemson's prior DC).  Venables is having to change the Clemson defensive culture/mindset.  Venables has made significant progress with the Clemson Defense (while dealing with injuries in their Secondary).     

So this means that Clint Conque and the coach from Greenwood aren't coming now?

[hoggusamoungus]

Arkansas can do better than Smart, and more than likely will. Just because you hire Saban's right hand person, doesn't mean that you can beat them, remember that.

I just want someone who can beat ULM.   

[HawgFan70]

All your fears of him leaving for Bama or UGA are easily taken care of with the contract.

Richt and Muschamp seem to be doing well. Mullen is having some success at Starkville. Sure their are failures but there are also guys who have had success.

I guarantee you Smart will never sign a no compete unless Georgia for sure and possibly Bama are excluded.

[GoHogs1091]

So this means that Clint Conque and the coach from Greenwood aren't coming now?

Both of those Coaches probably wouldn't want the Head Coach job up at the UofA.  They are both long-haul winning Head Coaches who are content on winning games and not having to deal with the circus atmosphere that occurs up at the UofA.   

[Root_hawg]

Smart would not come to Arkansas.  He is holding out for something better.

[hawg IQ]

I don't necessarily believe a defensive coordinator is the right way to go, but Arkansas has very few options IMO.  I don't see us getting a big time coach anyhow. getting a big sky or mt West is not gonna work. Someone from SEC seems logical.
  I Don't think Gus will come and unsure how well he could recruit here. The bigs boys like Gruden or Pete Carroll will not go to arkansas.  There was one men and only one that can win here and that was Bobby Petrino and that's a done deal now, so what do you do. Go on a whim with Kirby Smart, it worked out for Florida with Muschamp. Why not?
  Hey one thing is certain, we are in one heck of a mess right now. interim coaching is awful. This season should cost J Long his job, but won't. Yeah Kirby Smart if he wants it?

[Mrcoolhog55]

Well I will say this, If at the end of the day the Hogs can not get their top choices for head coach, then I would go with either Kirby Smart. Taggert, Gus, or whoever is young, and energetic to recruit really good, and coach the players up. Look it can be done by hiring the right coach, the right fit. A coach who recruits really, really good, and then coaches the players up as I just said. It is up to Jeff Long to get this hire right. This is a very important hire for the Hog football program. I am just not sure Long can get er done??

[GoHogs1091]

Snyder has already began lobbying for his son to get the job whenever he decides to retire again.

If Bill Snyder retires and if Venables is not the next Head Coach at Kansas State, and if Auburn makes a change and if Auburn is able to get Jimbo Fisher away from Florida State, then Florida State might consider Venables due to the recruiting that Venables has done in the State of Florida.

Venables' ability to flat-out recruit is what football programs are looking for because in today's college football environment, very good recruiting is absolutely essential. 

[Hoggie17]

If Kirby Smart works out like Saban's last trainee, D. Dooley, he will fall flat on his face, you sure you want to take that chance. 

[Tim Harris]

I guarantee you Smart will never sign a no compete unless Georgia for sure and possibly Bama are excluded.

Wasn't aware you and Smart were so close and you knew what he would do.

[Hawginj]

I swear I doubt half of you are hog fans. I am and I have a higher outlook and expectation of my team and university.