Norvell- off field issues?

[twistitup]

It's been tossed around w NO details....what are the issues in question? All I could find is rumors started by Ole Miss about gambling...surprise Ole Miss spreading rumors!

What's the real scoop...or just a smear campaign?

[Kneph13]

It's been tossed around w NO details....what are the issues in question? All I could find is rumors started by Ole Miss about gambling...surprise Ole Miss spreading rumors!

What's the real scoop...or just a smear campaign?

The only ones who know are the PTB and Norvell.

[LJHOG]

worry over off the field issues is what got us in this predicament in the first place.  why the PTB can't get that through their thick heads I don't know.  if we don't come to grips with is soon, we might as well move to the Sun Belt.

[twistitup]

It doesn't smell right...nasty politics of coaching I guess. It's almost an attempted blackball move by someone or some group.

[Junkyard Hog]

I mean.....AR, OM, and TN were open.

He shoulda been a no brainer for one of those......

Something was definitely up.

[(notOM)Rebel123]

I mean.....AR, OM, and TN was open.

He shoulda been a no brainer for one of those......

Something was definitely up.

😉

[farmhawg]

I mean.....AR, OM, and TN was open.

He shoulda been a no brainer for one of those......

Something was definitely up.

Yes, we were right to drop him. He is the one I wanted but we dodged a problem.

[jkstock04]

I mean.....AR, OM, and TN was open.

He shoulda been a no brainer for one of those......

Something was definitely up.

I could easily see anyone turning down Ole Miss right now. Especially someone starting their career.

[LawyerHog50]

Whatever baggage he had did not stop Tulsa, ASU or Memphis from hiring him. Why did it stop us?

The bottom line is he had a big ego and the PTB could not swallow their pride and let him in.

[farmhawg]

Whatever baggage he had did not stop Tulsa, ASU or Memphis from hiring him. Why did it stop us?

The bottom line is he had a big ego and the PTB could not swallow their pride and let him in.

You are wrong.

[threeNout]

It's been tossed around w NO details....what are the issues in question? All I could find is rumors started by Ole Miss about gambling...surprise Ole Miss spreading rumors!

What's the real scoop...or just a smear campaign?

I don't think we need details at this point, if it gets better (hopefully), it'll disappear. If it gets worse, then we probably won't be able to avoid hearing about it.

I hope whatever it is he gets it under control.

[901king]

Here's the deal about open coaching jobs- only 1 guy can get the job.  Norvell was offered by Ole Miss & he said no.  Then a "red flag" was "found" during their vetting.  Two days later UT was looking and word was he would not be sexy to the Voltard fan base but was a "clean" hire.  Just because there are a bunch of P5 jobs open, doesn't mean Norvell will take just any one.  Norvell ain't leaving Memphis for middle or bottom of the pack P5 schools.  It will have to be the "right" job for him to leave.  Fuente was approached by more than 10 P5 schools before he took VT.   Sometimes it's worth the wait.

The Vol, Ole Miss, & Hog boards continue to denigrate Norvell as simply "playing with Fuente's players." This is simply untrue.  7 offensive and 8 defensive starters are either freshmen, sophomores, or transfers from the last 2 years.  Norvell's 3 recruiting classes are all either #1 or # 2 in the AAC (all ahead of SMU by the way) and rates higher than any of Fuente's.  Fuente's star Senior RB has been supplanted by 2 stud sophomore RBs. 

Chad Morris' teams are 0-3 vs Memphis (51-7, 59-10, 66-45).  Congrats, you just hired the 4th or 5th best coach in the AAC that cant put recruit Memphis despite being in Texas and can't seem to outscore Memphis' "vaunted" Defense.

Glad Mike is staying, just hate seeing misinformation being spread.

[hogcards]

Shouldn't matter with Long gone.  Sign him and get him in here today.

[Nosboar Accubond]

Whatever baggage he had did not stop Tulsa, ASU or Memphis from hiring him. Why did it stop us?

The bottom line is he had a big ego and the PTB could not swallow their pride and let him in.

Timing was a big key in all of those scenarios.....

[WestMemphisHog]

Mike Norvell is one of the most humble guys you'll meet. There isn't an ego problem. Norvell wouldn't have taken OM because of the sanctions and he didn't see it as much of an upgrade. Same with Tennessee. He for sure would've taken Arkansas. I live near Memphis and work with a ton of Memphis Boosters. They love the guy, more so then Fuente who left for Virginia Tech but was kind of a introvert. Norvell is out in the community and the kids on that team absolutely love him.

[WestMemphisHog]

901 King Nailed It!

[farmhawg]

Mike Norvell is one of the most humble guys you'll meet. There isn't an ego problem. Norvell wouldn't have taken OM because of the sanctions and he didn't see it as much of an upgrade. Same with Tennessee. He for sure would've taken Arkansas. I live near Memphis and work with a ton of Memphis Boosters. They love the guy, more so then Fuente who left for Virginia Tech but was kind of a introvert. Norvell is out in the community and the kids on that team absolutely love him.

He couldn't pass the vetting. Not hard to understand but he made mistakes and that cost him. Time to move on.

[farmhawg]

Here's the deal about open coaching jobs- only 1 guy can get the job.  Norvell was offered by Ole Miss & he said no.  Then a "red flag" was "found" during their vetting.  Two days later UT was looking and word was he would not be sexy to the Voltard fan base but was a "clean" hire.  Just because there are a bunch of P5 jobs open, doesn't mean Norvell will take just any one.  Norvell ain't leaving Memphis for middle or bottom of the pack P5 schools.  It will have to be the "right" job for him to leave.  Fuente was approached by more than 10 P5 schools before he took VT.   Sometimes it's worth the wait.

The Vol, Ole Miss, & Hog boards continue to denigrate Norvell as simply "playing with Fuente's players." This is simply untrue.  7 offensive and 8 defensive starters are either freshmen, sophomores, or transfers from the last 2 years.  Norvell's 3 recruiting classes are all either #1 or # 2 in the AAC (all ahead of SMU by the way) and rates higher than any of Fuente's.  Fuente's star Senior RB has been supplanted by 2 stud sophomore RBs. 

Chad Morris' teams are 0-3 vs Memphis (51-7, 59-10, 66-45).  Congrats, you just hired the 4th or 5th best coach in the AAC that cant put recruit Memphis despite being in Texas and can't seem to outscore Memphis' "vaunted" Defense.

Glad Mike is staying, just hate seeing misinformation being spread.

One hit wonder. Troll on.

[SquidBilly]

There are a lot of great things about the internet, but one of the worst things is being able to start rumors you never have to prove.  Just roll it out there and let the masses run with it.  If it gets repeated enough people will start to believe it as fact.

[Jonbo]

Whatever baggage he had did not stop Tulsa, ASU or Memphis from hiring him. Why did it stop us?

The bottom line is he had a big ego and the PTB could not swallow their pride and let him in.

I put something out there, then thought better of it.
Jonbo

[WestMemphisHog]

Troll on? The guy was giving you facts.

[SquidBilly]

He couldn't pass the vetting. Not hard to understand but he made mistakes and that cost him. Time to move on.

He passed the vetting enough to get an interview.  Unless our admin is wasting time interviewing candidates they know they won't hire.

[Tylerhog]

Is gambling illegal?

[Razorstubble]

This is just simply what Arkansas does.  Makes stupid decisions.  The Morris/Norvell situation is just like the Bielema/Malzahn situation of 5 years ago.  It takes a vision, a slight bit of risk taking and a hands off approach to hire an "up and comer".  Although, I'd argue that the Gus of 5 years ago and Norvell of today are PROVEN enough by all but the Arkansas powers that be.

It's uncanny watching Arkansas repeat it's mistake of 5 years ago.  Gus SHOULD have been hired 5 years ago. In all likelihood Norvell SHOULD have been hired today.  This is just what we do....blow it. 

Time will tell with Morris.  I'll say this: Bielema was a fraud from day 1 and he was NEVER going to be successful here. Morris isn't in the same category as Bielema and stands a chance of being better than Bielema.  However, Morris is no Petrino or no Malzahn.

[farmhawg]

Is gambling illegal?

wasnt gambling.

[hoggusamoungus]

Is gambling illegal?

Ask Pete Rose.

[PorkRinds]

He couldn't pass the vetting. Not hard to understand but he made mistakes and that cost him. Time to move on.

So what was it? We owe him nothing, so let's lay it all out there. No more "it's bad but I won't post it" crap. Say it or shut up about it. No one knows who you are, so there's zero risk in saying what you know. Too many people pretend to be in the know. Lay it out there if you really are.

[The Boar War]

Memphis fans will find out soon.  If what I heard is true and it came out in vetting then it will be made public.  Too many hiring committee members are being asked questions about why he was passed over.  They're not going to take too much heat and it will come out.  I'm willing to bet his new contract has a few clauses in it that will make it easier for Memphis to save face.  Supposedly it isn't gambling.

[NEA_HogFan]

Memphis fans will find out soon.  If what I heard is true and it came out in vetting then it will be made public.  Too many hiring committee members are being asked questions about why he was passed over.  They're not going to take too much heat and it will come out.  I'm willing to bet his new contract has a few clauses in it that will make it easier for Memphis to save face.  Supposedly it isn't gambling.

Then what is it??

[DeltaBoy]

It's been tossed around w NO details....what are the issues in question? All I could find is rumors started by Ole Miss about gambling...surprise Ole Miss spreading rumors!

What's the real scoop...or just a smear campaign?

I heard he had too much fun in Vegas and that what got him !

[depressed_fan]

It's been tossed around w NO details....what are the issues in question? All I could find is rumors started by Ole Miss about gambling...surprise Ole Miss spreading rumors!

What's the real scoop...or just a smear campaign?

Tennessee message board was reporting he's a gambler. I'd rather have Morris anyway. Norvell wouldn't have beat any one here.

[longpig]

The Norvell dossier.

[rickm1976]

Tennessee message board was reporting he's a gambler. I'd rather have Morris anyway. Norvell wouldn't have beat any one here.

I wouldn't make much of Tenn passing on him.  Since Fulmer took over, he is going to go more old school and go after someone that more closely fits his criteria.  Doesn't necessarily mean there weren't some off the field issues - just sayin'.

[majp51]

It's been tossed around w NO details....what are the issues in question? All I could find is rumors started by Ole Miss about gambling...surprise Ole Miss spreading rumors!

What's the real scoop...or just a smear campaign?

Given how crazy this coaching carousel season has been, something is up. I mean UF, UM, TENN, MSU, ARK, and A&M all had openings and that is just int eh SEC. Memphis coaches with his track record end up getting picked up fairly quickly.

Now here is the thing, by something being up, doesn't mean that the gambling rumors or anything directly negative. Norvell could be happy in Memphis and have a specific job in mind (and Arkansas wasn't it)


But there is some baggage that is a red flag to employers, or he has very specific demands no one is willing to meet yet, or for some reason Memphis is his dream job..

[Pig in the Pokey]

This is just simply what Arkansas does.  Makes stupid decisions.  The Morris/Norvell situation is just like the Bielema/Malzahn situation of 5 years ago.  It takes a vision, a slight bit of risk taking and a hands off approach to hire an "up and comer".  Although, I'd argue that the Gus of 5 years ago and Norvell of today are PROVEN enough by all but the Arkansas powers that be.

It's uncanny watching Arkansas repeat it's mistake of 5 years ago.  Gus SHOULD have been hired 5 years ago. In all likelihood Norvell SHOULD have been hired today.  This is just what we do....blow it. 

Time will tell with Morris.  I'll say this: Bielema was a fraud from day 1 and he was NEVER going to be successful here. Morris isn't in the same category as Bielema and stands a chance of being better than Bielema.  However, Morris is no Petrino or no Malzahn.

perfect post. nailed, as did @901king.

norvell > Gus > Morris > bert

[twistitup]

You are wrong.

Please expand since you have vast knowledge on this subject....what was it farmhawg?

[TexasRazorback]

I mean.....AR, OM, and TN were open.

He shoulda been a no brainer for one of those......

Something was definitely up.

He is not ready. Had he been, one of thee schools with an opening would of hired him. Just because someone who doesnt know how to coach football thinks a HC of 2 years winning with another coaches players is ready for the sec doesnt mean he is. Hes only 36 give him time to rise to the top or bust. Morris is our Guy and Im excited about razorback football again

[NaturalStateReb]

It's been tossed around w NO details....what are the issues in question? All I could find is rumors started by Ole Miss about gambling...surprise Ole Miss spreading rumors!

What's the real scoop...or just a smear campaign?

Totally a smear campaign by the dastardly Ole Miss Rebel Black Bear Landsharks and their weather machine!  They probably also have Elvis locked up next to Walt Disney's frozen head.

Every major coaching gig passes on Norvell, but there's clearly some kind of insidious, tin foil hat plot.  If it was all just message board stuff, why did all of these ADs and search firms get fooled?  How could they have been so totally stupid?  What a bunch of fools!

Or, the simpler answer, there's actually something to it.

[PigInTheHole]

reading between the lines maybe someone Favred their snapchat

[JONAS]

I know a guy who is a Sports talk show host in Memphis.  I will not mention his name.  We talked this morning.  He said that there has to be some truth to the rumors to have Arkansas, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State not offer him the job.

[NaturalStateReb]

I could easily see anyone turning down Ole Miss right now. Especially someone starting their career.

Ole Miss hired Luke as insurance to keep players from transferring.  The players like Luke, and if he doesn't work out, you can move on cheaply in 2 or 3 years.

Willie Taggart definitely turned them down, though.  Considering he ended up at Florida State, pretty hard to blame him.  lol

[twistitup]

He is not ready. Had he been, one of thee schools with an opening would of hired him. Just because someone who doesnt know how to coach football thinks a HC of 2 years winning with another coaches players is ready for the sec doesnt mean he is. Hes only 36 give him time to rise to the top or bust. Morris is our Guy and Im excited about razorback football again

But instead of saying 'he not ready'...people claim there are major off the field issues - but these issues haven't been brought up until the last week?

Something doesn't smell right - I'm down w CM being our coach, but I don't like to see people's careers ruined over rumors.

[Hawgndaaz]

But instead of saying 'he not ready'...people claim there are major off the field issues - but these issues haven't been brought up until the last week?

Something doesn't smell right - I'm down w CM being our coach, but I don't like to see people's careers ruined over rumors.

Check your PM

[oldman1015]

reading between the lines maybe someone Favred their snapchat

Yikes

[snoblind]

But instead of saying 'he not ready'...people claim there are major off the field issues - but these issues haven't been brought up until the last week?

Something doesn't smell right - I'm down w CM being our coach, but I don't like to see people's careers ruined over rumors.

So why do you keep insisting someone tell the rumor on a board Norvell's wife or her parents may very well read?

[azhog10]

He couldn't pass the vetting. Not hard to understand but he made mistakes and that cost him. Time to move on.

He couldn't pass the vetting because others believed rumors and there was no fact behind them. People out here loved Norvell. He's respected everywhere he's been and one of the few coaches I know where a fanbase literally loves the guy. Plenty of SMU folks I know are happy to see Morris go. Haven't met a single Tiger fan to say that about Norvell.

He did a fantastic job at Memphis and even if he had issues back in the day, he's shown it's in the past. Love that we think we can cast stones at a guy for issues in his past. Would love for those doing the vetting to be vetted themselves.......

[hogfansince79]

Well hell... I'll ask the obvious question then...   Did he take a dong pic and post it, or did he hit someone upside the head with it?  Or did he do both?

[pigture perfect]

I've heard a rumor, don't know if it's the same one or not, but it was no better or worse than Petrino's deal. I tend to believe it to be false. And I hate false rumors.

[twistitup]

i think he turned Ole Miss down and is now paying the price...

[WestMemphisHog]

He turned Ole Miss down because of sanctions and not much of an upgrade. He's not paying the price....He's going to get paid at Memphis ...Continue to win at Memphis and probably par lay for a better job then Arkansas, TN or Ole Miss