Bielema on his Recruiting Philosophy

[WilsonHog]

"I want guys that leave campus and know this is what they want to be a part of. I want guys that maybe come back two or three times and say, 'This is where I'm going.' If they have to pick a hat, release the balloons and cut the cake on Signing Day, I probably don't have time for them. Not to say that's always the case, but it's the direction I've leaned during my head coaching career."

http://coachingsearch.com/article?a=Bret-Bielema-Well-never-be-one-of-those-teams

I like this guy.

[Pudgepork]

Agree.   I'm not saying it will never happen, but I don't see this coach getting played by prima donnas.   Get on da bus or see ya.  NEXT!

[Pork Twain]

Love it, hate the drama

[gmarv]

amen to that I hate all the drama.

[gawntrail]

I really like his 'cut through the cr@p' style.

[Theolesnort]

But we still have our fans that swear by recruiting rankings. You don't believe me and that is fine but you have no reason to disbelieve Bielema and what he has to say about them.

[Fatty McGee]

Well, we were 5th in this recruiting ranking:

http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2015/2/5/7985755/the-best-recruiting-classes-in-college-football-ranked

[Hoggish1]

"I want guys that leave campus and know this is what they want to be a part of. I want guys that maybe come back two or three times and say, 'This is where I'm going.' If they have to pick a hat, release the balloons and cut the cake on Signing Day, I probably don't have time for them. Not to say that's always the case, but it's the direction I've leaned during my head coaching career."

http://coachingsearch.com/article?a=Bret-Bielema-Well-never-be-one-of-those-teams

I like this guy.

Thanks for this! He has a plan, believes in it and is following it.  He will get us where we want to go.  I love what he's doing!

[PorcineSublime]

Doubt Nicky Satan has saved too many spots for signing day prima donnas either. Enough coaches take the hard line and these kids will stop the shenanigans. Gotta respect BB a bit more though because Nicky can afford to play hard ball a bit more easily. Losing a 4 star to him just means he will take the greyshirt off of one of his other 4 stars. We definitely have the right guy in charge.

[grayhawg]

"I want guys that leave campus and know this is what they want to be a part of. I want guys that maybe come back two or three times and say, 'This is where I'm going.' If they have to pick a hat, release the balloons and cut the cake on Signing Day, I probably don't have time for them. Not to say that's always the case, but it's the direction I've leaned during my head coaching career."

http://coachingsearch.com/article?a=Bret-Bielema-Well-never-be-one-of-those-teams

I like this guy.

I like this guy and his philosophy as well.

WPS!!!!!

[bigdaddyhawg]

I'm not sure his focus in that discussion is about avoiding the prima donas.  Yes, perhaps some of it is about that.

But I think he's talking about the culture he wants to build here, about the "family" feeling he wants on his team.

He's saying if they spend time with us, then they should have a clear idea if they want to be a part of what we're about.  If they aren't sure then they may not be a good fit here anyway, so he doesn't worry about it.

Many coaches talk about "family", and about recruiting high character kids.  But those aren't just PR buzzwords for CBB.  He means it to his core.

IMO we've got one of the most honest, open, and transparent coaches running our program.  And I like and appreciate that very much.

[PorcineSublime]

I'm not sure his focus in that discussion is about avoiding the prima donas.  Yes, perhaps some of it is about that.

But I think he's talking about the culture he wants to build here, about the "family" feeling he wants on his team.

He's saying if they spend time with us, then they should have a clear idea if they want to be a part of what we're about.  If they aren't sure then they may not be a good fit here anyway, so he doesn't worry about it.

Many coaches talk about "family", and about recruiting high character kids.  But those aren't just PR buzzwords for CBB.  He means it to his core.

IMO we've got one of the most honest, open, and transparent coaches running our program.  And I like and appreciate that very much.

Good take.

[Hogfaniam]

Pass the the word to seventh grade footballers on up.  Watch what you post on social media, if you have a dream to play for the Hogs.  CBB could still be a Hog 4 years from now.  It's the first thing he mentioned looking at before putting someone on the big board.

[Fatty McGee]

Pass the the word to seventh grade footballers on up.  Watch what you post on social media, if you have a dream to play for the Hogs.  CBB could still be a Hog 4 years from now.  It's the first thing he mentioned looking at before putting someone on the big board.

Oh, I imagine he has some well earned tolerance for stupid things said on social media.  . . .

[hawginbigd1]

I like the part he said he isn't going to kiss the recruiting services butts so he can get a top recruiting class ranking. Pay attention star gazers!

[PORKULATOR]

Love this about Coach B

[jackflash]

I agree with coach BB. I think the HOGS would get burned waiting around on NSD for a kid to choose are hat.

[bennyl08]

I like the part he said he isn't going to kiss the recruiting services butts so he can get a top recruiting class ranking. Pay attention star gazers!

We are. No coach pays attention to recruiting rankings and no coach should. Being rated highly does not make a better player than anyone else. Being a better player gets you a higher ranking. If you pooled together every coaches recruiting board, I bet it would be very, very close to the recruiting boards. By pooling every coaches rankings, you average out things like one coach ranking a player high due to his team's positional needs or not evaluating certain players due to distance etc... Of course any single coach's recruiting board will differ due to positional needs, team fit, etc...

[Hawgzinbowlz]

By building relationships, over several years, CBB/Staff will know the great majority of the recruits destinations early. NSD hat tricks may occur, although infrequently.
Straight shootin', no nonsense, focused...and he knows wth he's doin'.
A Hog farmer at heart.

" GO HOGS "

[hoghiker]

I like BB. I love the Hogs. Some day we may win a conference championship with the level of recruits we're getting. I do think we have upgraded, some. It's feasible in mind. Good coaching matters at every level. None more than college but if we win a conference with 3-4 stars, we will be bucking the odds. The facts on STAR count and achievement seem pretty convincing to me. So be it. I will live and die with my Hogs every Saturday every fall. WPS!

[JaketheSnake]

We are. No coach pays attention to recruiting rankings and no coach should. Being rated highly does not make a better player than anyone else. Being a better player gets you a higher ranking. If you pooled together every coaches recruiting board, I bet it would be very, very close to the recruiting boards. By pooling every coaches rankings, you average out things like one coach ranking a player high due to his team's positional needs or not evaluating certain players due to distance etc... Of course any single coach's recruiting board will differ due to positional needs, team fit, etc...

I disagree.  Some coaches do buddy up to recruiting services.  It can give them a little momentum with the drama mama recruits

[hawg IQ]

“I want guys that leave campus and know this is what they want to be a part of. I want guys that maybe come back two or three times and say, ‘This is where I’m going.’ If they have to pick a hat, release the balloons and cut the cake on Signing Day, I probably don’t have time for them. Not to say that’s always the case, but it’s the direction I’ve leaned during my head coaching career.”

http://coachingsearch.com/article?a=Bret-Bielema-Well-never-be-one-of-those-teams

I like this guy.

I agree with Coach Bielema on this. I hope we never have another DGB recruiting moment ever.  And DGB is a good example of those kind too ! 

They are so full of themselves.  Those kind usually get their just due in the end, just as he did.
  I do think Hill was somewhat of a victim however. Him being at Ohio State is probably for the best. I doubt he will ever be much of a star there, but hope he does well in life.

[popcornhog]

http://coachingsearch.com/article?a=Bret-Bielema-Well-never-be-one-of-those-teams

"We can definitely get our hands on different players, guys that maybe the outside world thinks are at a different level, but when we watch them, they fit our demeanor," Bielema said. "We put them through a social media screening, they pass it; we put them through an academic screening, they pass it, and then we get involved with them. That maybe wasn't the case up there. That part, I'm always trying to balance out. As we have more success, the last thing you want to do is deviate from the plan that got you where you wanted to be. We'll never be one of those teams that has seven guys that are going to pick a hat on Wednesday. That's just not my deal.

"I want guys that leave campus and know this is what they want to be a part of. I want guys that maybe come back two or three times and say, 'This is where I'm going.' If they have to pick a hat, release the balloons and cut the cake on Signing Day, I probably don't have time for them. Not to say that's always the case, but it's the direction I've leaned during my head coaching career."

Arkansas' pickup on this year's Signing Day did include a press conference, but Bielema's teams don't add several players on that day.

[ricepig]

http://www.hogville.net/yabbse/index.php?topic=588027.0

[popcornhog]

http://www.hogville.net/yabbse/index.php?topic=588027.0

D'oh!

[OLDHOG]

This is our coach. Be proud, I am.

[OLDHOG]

This is who our coach is. Be proud, I am. SOOIE PIG!

[mhuff]

This is who our coach is. Be proud, I am. SOOIE PIG!

[tusksincolorado]

“I want guys that leave campus and know this is what they want to be a part of. I want guys that maybe come back two or three times and say, ‘This is where I’m going.’ If they have to pick a hat, release the balloons and cut the cake on Signing Day, I probably don’t have time for them. Not to say that’s always the case, but it’s the direction I’ve leaned during my head coaching career.”

http://coachingsearch.com/article?a=Bret-Bielema-Well-never-be-one-of-those-teams

I like this guy.

So do I....GO HAWGS!!!

[jkstock04]

I have zero doubt this is how all coaches feel in general. Of course they want these guys to sign early minus the ballons and ribbons. Why wouldn't they? That gives them security knowing they aren't held hostage on signing day wondering who is going to sign with them and who isn't...sort of common sense.

Make no mistake though, if Bielema feels strongly one of his top prospects will sign on signing day he will wait around and find out. We would've took Weathersby on signing day in a heartbeat and everyone knows it....hence the comment "not to say that's always the case."

Houston Nutt used to say he only wanted kids who wanted to be Hogs. That sounds great in theory, but in the end recruiting is convincing these kids to come here regardless of that. Our coaches contact these kids, and try and convince them to come here, not the other way around.

[Vantage 8 dude]

"I want guys that leave campus and know this is what they want to be a part of. I want guys that maybe come back two or three times and say, 'This is where I'm going.' If they have to pick a hat, release the balloons and cut the cake on Signing Day, I probably don't have time for them. Not to say that's always the case, but it's the direction I've leaned during my head coaching career."

http://coachingsearch.com/article?a=Bret-Bielema-Well-never-be-one-of-those-teams

I like this guy.

Props to CBB for sticking with his beliefs and philosophy. While many HCs may not necessarily agree with his approach, at least Bret has formulated a firm outlook and standard of what he will and won't accept in a potential recruit and is willing to apparently stick with it no matter what. I can always respect a person who knows who he is and what he's looking for, even if I don't necessarily agree or understand that person's viewpoint (which I happen to in this case). At least CBB isn't all over the place by bowing down to and tolerating the antics/attitudes of so many of the "hot shots" (and families?) who often inhabit the top of the recruiting rankings. His "you don't need to be with us if you have to choose among a group of hats on NSD" means that you "buy in" from day one or we don't need/want you. That's something as a fan I can totally respect!!

[mizzouman]

"I want guys that leave campus and know this is what they want to be a part of. I want guys that maybe come back two or three times and say, 'This is where I'm going.' If they have to pick a hat, release the balloons and cut the cake on Signing Day, I probably don't have time for them. Not to say that's always the case, but it's the direction I've leaned during my head coaching career."

http://coachingsearch.com/article?a=Bret-Bielema-Well-never-be-one-of-those-teams

I like this guy.

I'm not 100% sure I understand this.  So, is CBB saying that if he has 4 five stars signing NOI's to Arkansas on signing day and they want balloons and a cake, that CBB would not accept their NOI's?

[Atlhogfan1]

I'm not 100% sure I understand this.  So, is CBB saying that if he has 4 five stars signing NOI's to Arkansas on signing day and they want balloons and a cake, that CBB would not accept their NOI's?

"Not to say that's always the case"  You just 100% can't understand this?

[onebadrubi]

D'oh!

At least you didn't want to be someones seat at the basketball game on saturday!  haha

[mizzouman]

"Not to say that's always the case"  You just 100% can't understand this?

Seriously, I don't understand.  He said that he 'probably' doesn't have time for kids who pick hats, release balloons and want a cake on national signing day.  So, if a 5 star kid wanted that (by the way, it's not always the kid who wants this), CBB 'probably' doesn't have time for that kid?  What does that mean?  Does that mean he 'probably' won't accept his NOI?  I guess what I really don't understand is why he even has to say this.

[PorkSoda]

Doubt Nicky Satan has saved too many spots for signing day prima donnas either. Enough coaches take the hard line and these kids will stop the shenanigans. Gotta respect BB a bit more though because Nicky can afford to play hard ball a bit more easily. Losing a 4 star to him just means he will take the greyshirt off of one of his other 4 stars. We definitely have the right guy in charge.

the coaches should already know what the kids are going to choose before said ceremonies.  that kind of thing is more for show.  I doubt any kid is really making the decision at that very moment.

[Atlhogfan1]

Seriously, I don't understand.  He said that he 'probably' doesn't have time for kids who pick hats, release balloons and want a cake on national signing day.  So, if a 5 star kid wanted that (by the way, it's not always the kid who wants this), CBB 'probably' doesn't have time for that kid?  What does that mean?  Does that mean he 'probably' won't accept his NOI?  I guess what I really don't understand is why he even has to say this.

He'll accept it.  That is why he made it clear this opinion wasn't absolute. 

[PorkSoda]

I'm not 100% sure I understand this.  So, is CBB saying that if he has 4 five stars signing NOI's to Arkansas on signing day and they want balloons and a cake, that CBB would not accept their NOI's?

he is saying that if they haven't made up thier mind by signing day, he will have already made up his mind on who is taking the slots.  we dont exactly have 5 star recruits beating down our door, so your scenario is a bit far fetched.

[mizzouman]

He'll accept it.  That is why he made it clear this opinion wasn't absolute.

Got that, but just curious on why it needed to be said.  Was there an issue with a recruit or something? 

Thanks.

[Atlhogfan1]

Got that, but just curious on why it needed to be said.  Was there an issue with a recruit or something? 

Thanks.

No issue. 

Because it is his mentality which is understandable when recruiting to Arkansas or Wisconsin.  It didn't have to be said.  But he isn't one to just answer with coachspeak which is refreshing.  Why are you curious? 

[Hogpkins]

We are. No coach pays attention to recruiting rankings and no coach should. Being rated highly does not make a better player than anyone else. Being a better player gets you a higher ranking. If you pooled together every coaches recruiting board, I bet it would be very, very close to the recruiting boards. By pooling every coaches rankings, you average out things like one coach ranking a player high due to his team's positional needs or not evaluating certain players due to distance etc... Of course any single coach's recruiting board will differ due to positional needs, team fit, etc...

I listened to the interview and my interpretation was he was saying, some coaches do pay attention to recruiting rankings and shmooze the recruiting services, but CBB doesn't.

He of course didn't single anyone out, but I had my own thoughts about who he might be talking about. Tennessee and Ole Miss popped into my mind. Anyone else care to speculate?

[Keyser Sooieze]

Seriously, I don't understand.  He said that he 'probably' doesn't have time for kids who pick hats, release balloons and want a cake on national signing day.  So, if a 5 star kid wanted that (by the way, it's not always the kid who wants this), CBB 'probably' doesn't have time for that kid?  What does that mean?  Does that mean he 'probably' won't accept his NOI?  I guess what I really don't understand is why he even has to say this.

You can dissect every word in a guy's written transcript of a spoken interview, or you can hear the gist of what he's saying. He's a football coach 1st, politician second.   

[mizzouman]

No issue. 

Because it is his mentality which is understandable when recruiting to Arkansas or Wisconsin.  It didn't have to be said.  But he isn't one to just answer with coachspeak which is refreshing.  Why are you curious?

Just curious.  No big deal.  Just wasn't sure if there was an issue or something. 

Again, I like CBB.  Liked him from the beginning.  Not sure about the extension and raise just yet, maybe next year, but I think he'll do very well.

[Hoginsavga]

Thank you CBB. I have always said the UA and all other universities should not be held hostage simply to allow showboating on NSD by a single 17 or 18 year old. I respect their talent but,in turn, they should show respect to the coaches and schools recruiting them. I would kindly explain to a recruit that he will not be a Razorback if he sits at a table and picks up a cap first of another school before placing it back on the table then selecting the Razorback cap. I want all Razorbacks to show the coaches and fans there is never a doubt in their mind which school they belong to. I know I am old fashioned but that is a part of me I can't change.

[Huckleberry Pig]

I'm not sure his focus in that discussion is about avoiding the prima donas.  Yes, perhaps some of it is about that.

But I think he's talking about the culture he wants to build here, about the "family" feeling he wants on his team.

He's saying if they spend time with us, then they should have a clear idea if they want to be a part of what we're about.  If they aren't sure then they may not be a good fit here anyway, so he doesn't worry about it.

Many coaches talk about "family", and about recruiting high character kids.  But those aren't just PR buzzwords for CBB.  He means it to his core.

IMO we've got one of the most honest, open, and transparent coaches running our program.  And I like and appreciate that very much.

+1, spot on.  our head hog is steering this program in the right direction.  love what he's building here and the way he's going about it. 

:razorback: :razorback:

[DeltaBoy]

Great Post and I really liking Coach Bielema more all the time.

[Vantage 8 dude]

Seriously, I don't understand.  He said that he 'probably' doesn't have time for kids who pick hats, release balloons and want a cake on national signing day.  So, if a 5 star kid wanted that (by the way, it's not always the kid who wants this), CBB 'probably' doesn't have time for that kid?  What does that mean?  Does that mean he 'probably' won't accept his NOI?  I guess what I really don't understand is why he even has to say this.

I believe what's he trying to convey is that he's prefer NOT to have guys with all the NSD drama. IMO way too much of the "stop all the presses, let the world stop for my press conference/hat selection (drums rolling) routine". Would he accept the commit of a 5*? Duh, gee.....what do you think? However, what he doesn't really have time for are all the cutesy "fun and games" that often accompanies such 11th hour pressers.

[Vantage 8 dude]

I listened to the interview and my interpretation was he was saying, some coaches do pay attention to recruiting rankings and shmooze the recruiting services, but CBB doesn't.

He of course didn't single anyone out, but I had my own thoughts about who he might be talking about. Tennessee and Ole Miss popped into my mind. Anyone else care to speculate?

Trust me: Butch Jones is at least 75% about the recruiting rankings. Hugh Freeze...don't even really care enough to speculate.

[jkstock04]

I believe what's he trying to convey is that he's prefer NOT to have guys with all the NSD drama. IMO way too much of the "stop all the presses, let the world stop for my press conference/hat selection (drums rolling) routine". Would he accept the commit of a 5*? Duh, gee.....what do you think? However, what he doesn't really have time for are all the cutesy "fun and games" that often accompanies such 11th hour pressers.

In light of his comments it really makes me wonder whether or not KJ Hill still had an offer on the table come signing day. I would like to think not.

[Hoggish1]

I'm not 100% sure I understand this.  So, is CBB saying that if he has 4 five stars signing NOI's to Arkansas on signing day and they want balloons and a cake, that CBB would not accept their NOI's?

He clarified it later in the article...