CBB article

[Atlhogfan1]

Poor, pitiful excuse(s). Okay, even if one "buys" the fact the CBB didn't INITIALLY understand/prepare for the speed and style play by the SEC, we're to believe that he was still searching and trying to figure it out after five years If that's indeed the case then I'm not sure which is more embarrassing/condemning: his continued inability to understand the different environment and challenges presented by the league or his apparent unwillingness or inability to recruit, coach, and otherwise deal with those issues. In either case he's NOT presented his own case in the best of light(s). Sometimes the wisest thing to do is to refrain from opening your mouth and causing your own ignorance/shortcomings to show through for all the world to see. 

Halfway would have been in the 2015 season.  Mistakes made early contributed to what we saw in season 5. 

[Pig in the Pokey]

I find it hard to believe that he has had offers from NFL teams to work as an assistant....

i was thinking the same thing. they were probably Quality control or analyst positions.

[Pig in the Pokey]

So is your ability to miss the point.

point was, what, how contracts work? Of course he has to take one of the jobs he was offered, or else pay a penalty on what he is owed by us. I figured it was a prerequisite to contributing to this conversation.

[Vantage 8 dude]

Halfway would have been in the 2015 season.  Mistakes made early contributed to what we saw in season 5.

I'm trying to give CBB the benefit of the doubt as he seemed to still not understand or comprehend the issues he was facing even after all that time. I mean it was obvious that in addition to all the other issues he was facing he couldn't even make in game adjustments. And how many times did we hear the tired old "well we had a great week of practice after virtually every defeat" I kept wondering and hoping we'd never see the on the field results from a BAD week of practice...yikes

[IronHog]

Petrino did beat LSU and would have again just as Bielema did.

No sign Petrino was beating Bama anytime soon.  He had one great half against them in 4 games.  Otherwise, Saban's defense closed down the field, punished our receivers on the short crossing routes we ran because we couldn't protect the qb to the point our wr's had alligator arms and shut down our offense.  We didn't threaten them vertically whatsover. 

Childs could and did get verticle on Bama


The problem was and is the double standard that allows the Bama secondary to mug less physical receivers

[Atlhogfan1]

Childs could and did get verticle on Bama


The problem was and is the double standard that allows the Bama secondary to mug less physical receivers

One catch of 31 yards in the first half of the 2010 game.  The only half where Petrino's offense had any success vs Bama. 

2 catches for 11 yards as a Fr
4 catches 60 yards and a TD as a So in a 35-7 loss, longest catch 20 yards
3 catches for 44 yards as a Jr vs Bama, longest catch 31 yards in the first half,
2 catches for 17 yards as a Sr

11 catches 132 yards 1 TD long of 31 yards in 4 games

Yes Bama gets away with a lot of physical contact.  Petrino hadn't figured out how to beat it. 

[Atlhogfan1]

I'm trying to give CBB the benefit of the doubt as he seemed to still not understand or comprehend the issues he was facing even after all that time. I mean it was obvious that in addition to all the other issues he was facing he couldn't even make in game adjustments. And how many times did we hear the tired old "well we had a great week of practice after virtually every defeat" I kept wondering and hoping we'd never see the on the field results from a BAD week of practice...yikes

I think we did some good prep.  We had some good starts.  Played with some better teams well into games.  Other times it was awful.  You are correct it was the adjustments where he failed.  He and his staff couldn't figure out how to adjust when the opponent did.  Early on, you could attribute some of it to a lack of options in terms of personnel. 

[MultipleScoreGasms]

No ...we did NOT pay market value for those RESULTS. We paid JLS less than #1 mil a year and got the SAME results...see how that garbage works.

When you hire someone, you pay market value based on past performance, and what you believe they can do.  Unless you can see into the future, you don't know the final results at the negotiation table.  The same will be the case for CCM, and every coach that follows.  Until the time when quality coaches accept jobs with pay scales based on a "per win" metric, that market will continue.  Simple "supply & demand."  So yes, I see how it works.

[Russ22]

When you hire someone, you pay market value based on past performance, and what you believe they can do.  Unless you can see into the future, you don't know the final results at the negotiation table.  The same will be the case for CCM, and every coach that follows.  Until the time when quality coaches accept jobs with pay scales based on a "per win" metric, that market will continue.  Simple "supply & demand."  So yes, I see how it works.

This is silly. Long did not have to overpay and bend the UA athletic department over on a buyout. Bert and Jeff used a win over a down and out rival to milk the UA for a bunch of $. That was not "market forces" creating the situation with that contract. Sometimes, you are better off letting a guy walk knowing that you can get someone as good or better for the same or less money.

[Pigsknuckles]

What land mine?s is he speaking of? 

SEC opponents probably.

[Tusks]

Every time the bafoon CBB opens his mouth I have that much more respect for Barry Alavarez.

[justmakeit2thebcs]

Dimwits.....the landmines he is referring to were referencing recruiting and the competition.  You want him to "own" it, ask him, he will tell you he owns every bit of it.  Entirely his fault.  Yet you would rather infer something to fit your narrative from an article with zero knowledge of the context of the question. 

Some of you want him to come out on national television and say "I suck and should never be hired again" because you believe it.     

[ricepig]

This is silly. Long did not have to overpay and bend the UA athletic department over on a buyout. Bert and Jeff used a win over a down and out rival to milk the UA for a bunch of $. That was not "market forces" creating the situation with that contract. Sometimes, you are better off letting a guy walk knowing that you can get someone as good or better for the same or less money.

Yeah, they were the only two that had to sign that contract......

[Inhogswetrust]

Dimwits.....the landmines he is referring to were referencing recruiting and the competition.  You want him to "own" it, ask him, he will tell you he owns every bit of it.  Entirely his fault.  Yet you would rather infer something to fit your narrative from an article with zero knowledge of the context of the question. 

Some of you want him to come out on national television and say "I suck and should never be hired again" because you believe it.     

Really? His recruiting was slightly better than other coaches we had in the SEC YET he lost more than they did. That landmine was in his head.

[justmakeit2thebcs]

A book could be written on all of the errors Bielema made while coaching here.  I'm not going to write that book here.  A good many posters have already outlined some of the most glaring deficiencies of this coach.

What I will say is, the only true "Land Mines" Bielema faced at Arkansas was believing that Jeff Long could protect him forever.  Not understanding that winning SEC games was critical.  Not realizing that 20-30 point beat downs would humiliate the fans and boosters to no end.  Not realizing that his excuses, despite personal charm in press conferences would start eroding his support.  Not realizing that power brokers would actually give him the boot and pay that obscene buyout he was gifted by Long in order to get rid of him and start a new chapter.  Bielema thought his relationship with Long and the SEC Network crew and his snake oil salesman skills would buy him a few more years here.  He overestimated the fan bases willingness to tolerate incompetence and poor decision making.

Your post is filled with stupidity.  You think he didn't realize winning games was critical?  You think he didn't realize 30 point beatdowns were humiliating.   As for realizing he might get fired, what did you want him to do?  Stop trying?  Act like he wasn't coming back? Stop recruiting?  How on earth could you possibly know he wasn't concerned? Based on the stupidity of your post alone, I can guarantee you CBB has acheived far greater success in his profession that you in yours.  He is a better man with far more character, he wouldn't be hiding behind a keyboard disparaging you.  Why do you feel the need, 3 months after he was fired to beat a dead horse?

[justmakeit2thebcs]

Really? His recruiting was slightly better than other coaches we had in the SEC YET he lost more than they did. That landmine was in his head.

CBB underacheived make no mistake about it, but Nutt's SEC was a lot easier than CBB's.  Petrino did well, but A&M, Ole miss and MSU were nearly as good as the last few years.  The landmind was recruiting overall depth and the athletes in the trenches on defense.  The formula for Wisc didn't work and he failed to adjust quick enough.  You saw the offense spread out and uptempo in the later years (folks then claimed we had no identity on offense.  the swith to the 3-4 was an attempt to better utilize the athletes availble in recruiting.  Just too little too late.

https://247sports.com/college/arkansas/Season/2010-Football/Commits
https://247sports.com/college/arkansas/Season/2011-Football/Commits
https://247sports.com/college/arkansas/Season/2012-Football/Commits

Petrino's last three clases were the foundation for CBB, 2012 was okay 10-11 sucked.  Change in style didn't help.  Chad is going to struggle for the same reason, won't really be his fault until you yahoos are roasting him over an open flame 5 years from now.

[Russ22]

Yeah, they were the only two that had to sign that contract......

Rice, are you saying that the contract between Bielema, the UA, and the Razorback Foundation was a necessity to keep the football program at such a high (8-5) level?

It seems of all the things we don't see eye-to-eye on, this is one where we could agree: Sometimes, it is better to let a coach to test the market.

I think that is the only way universities will get a handle on coaching salaries. There isn't a shortage of good football coaches. There is a shortage of ADs willing to take a chance on unproven coaches.

[Hogindasticks]

Welcome to the SEC

[Inhogswetrust]

CBB underacheived make no mistake about it, but Nutt's SEC was a lot easier than CBB's.  Petrino did well, but A&M, Ole miss and MSU were nearly as good as the last few years.  The landmind was recruiting overall depth and the athletes in the trenches on defense.  The formula for Wisc didn't work and he failed to adjust quick enough.  You saw the offense spread out and uptempo in the later years (folks then claimed we had no identity on offense.  the swith to the 3-4 was an attempt to better utilize the athletes availble in recruiting.  Just too little too late.

https://247sports.com/college/arkansas/Season/2010-Football/Commits
https://247sports.com/college/arkansas/Season/2011-Football/Commits
https://247sports.com/college/arkansas/Season/2012-Football/Commits

Petrino's last three clases were the foundation for CBB, 2012 was okay 10-11 sucked.  Change in style didn't help.  Chad is going to struggle for the same reason, won't really be his fault until you yahoos are roasting him over an open flame 5 years from now.

Don't assume we will be roasting anybody in five years. IF Bret had done what needed to be done then he wouldn't have gotten roasted on his way out the door since he wouldn't have been out the door. Things CAN change. It only remains to be seen if they will AND if the change will be enough or not.

[ChicoHog]

I think we did some good prep.  We had some good starts.  Played with some better teams well into games.  Other times it was awful.  You are correct it was the adjustments where he failed.  He and his staff couldn't figure out how to adjust when the opponent did.  Early on, you could attribute some of it to a lack of options in terms of personnel. 

Well said.  I thought it was a good column with my only rebuttal being the 2011 team was out best in recent history.  I think the 2010 group was better as they almost beat Bama and should have, lost to Auburn at Auburn with some bad calls and lost to a good Ohio St team in the Sugar Bowl.  The 2011 team got smoked by Bama and LSU and beat an inferior K-state team in the Cotton bowl.  The reason the 2011 ranking was so much better than 2010 was the win vs the loss in the bowl game.  My point is the 2010 Buckeyes were a far superior team to the 2011 Wildcats who in my opinion were vastly over ranked. 

[Atlhogfan1]

Well said.  I thought it was a good column with my only rebuttal being the 2011 team was out best in recent history.  I think the 2010 group was better as they almost beat Bama and should have, lost to Auburn at Auburn with some bad calls and lost to a good Ohio St team in the Sugar Bowl.  The 2011 team got smoked by Bama and LSU and beat an inferior K-state team in the Cotton bowl.  The reason the 2011 ranking was so much better than 2010 was the win vs the loss in the bowl game.  My point is the 2010 Buckeyes were a far superior team to the 2011 Wildcats who in my opinion were vastly over ranked.

Agreed.  2010 team was better. 

[The NewEra]

Your post is filled with stupidity.  You think he didn't realize winning games was critical?  You think he didn't realize 30 point beatdowns were humiliating.   As for realizing he might get fired, what did you want him to do?  Stop trying?  Act like he wasn't coming back? Stop recruiting?  How on earth could you possibly know he wasn't concerned? Based on the stupidity of your post alone, I can guarantee you CBB has acheived far greater success in his profession that you in yours.  He is a better man with far more character, he wouldn't be hiding behind a keyboard disparaging you.  Why do you feel the need, 3 months after he was fired to beat a dead horse?

Just take a chill pill Jen!

[WizardofhOgZ]

Also, scroll down (after end of Bielema info) to see Nick Saban show off his dance moves.


https://www.si.com/college-football/2018/01/29/bret-bielema-arkansas-wisconsin-super-bowl

[From Tusk Till Dawn]

Clearly about to be a full moon.  As for market value comments, CBB was the second lowest paid HC in the West.

[Tusks]

Your post is filled with stupidity.  You think he didn't realize winning games was critical?  You think he didn't realize 30 point beatdowns were humiliating.   As for realizing he might get fired, what did you want him to do?  Stop trying?  Act like he wasn't coming back? Stop recruiting?  How on earth could you possibly know he wasn't concerned? Based on the stupidity of your post alone, I can guarantee you CBB has acheived far greater success in his profession that you in yours.  He is a better man with far more character, he wouldn't be hiding behind a keyboard disparaging you.  Why do you feel the need, 3 months after he was fired to beat a dead horse?

Well tell CBB to not take interviews and give asinine answers to his ineptness 3 months after the fact.  If he'll stop beating the dead horse then so will the fans.

[DeltaBoy]

Best of luck to him !

[War Boar]

This is the same article as the msn.com article posted earlier.  Still, thanks for posting. I look for every razorback scrap I can find this time of year.  Go Hogs!

[pigture perfect]

I still don't hate the man. Just wish it would have worked out.

[Atlhogfan1]

http://www.hogville.net/yabbse/index.php?topic=656333.0

[WizardofhOgZ]

http://www.hogville.net/yabbse/index.php?topic=656333.0

Interesting . . . I saw the thread's subject line, but when I saw it was an msn link, figured it was a different article.  First time I've seen MSN post links to Sports Illustrated articles . . . or at least, first time I noticed it.

Sorry for the duplication.

[MultipleScoreGasms]

This is silly. Long did not have to overpay and bend the UA athletic department over on a buyout. Bert and Jeff used a win over a down and out rival to milk the UA for a bunch of $. That was not "market forces" creating the situation with that contract. Sometimes, you are better off letting a guy walk knowing that you can get someone as good or better for the same or less money.

Sure it was.  At least JL's perception of market forces relative to a coach he did not want to lose.  Perhaps CBB could have used the same situation to market himself elsewhere.  As far as your negotiating points, I agree.  In my estimation, CBB was a better negotiator than JL. 

[Flrazrback]

Maybe this could be Bret's calling. No hate for the man what so ever. Wish him and his family all the best.

[Vantage 8 dude]

Not sure any of the arguing/disagreement on this thread would have even been needed or even thought about had CBB not made some comments that made him appear to be some sort of victim rather than his plain inability to recruit, develop talent, make in-game adjustments, develop and keep a staff that was both innovative and at least equal to most others throughout the league. When it comes right down to it "own your failure" 'cause you were given pretty much all that you ever asked for. 

[ricepig]

Rice, are you saying that the contract between Bielema, the UA, and the Razorback Foundation was a necessity to keep the football program at such a high (8-5) level?

It seems of all the things we don't see eye-to-eye on, this is one where we could agree: Sometimes, it is better to let a coach to test the market.

I think that is the only way universities will get a handle on coaching salaries. There isn't a shortage of good football coaches. There is a shortage of ADs willing to take a chance on unproven coaches.

Nope, I'm saying the culpability extends beyond those two. As to the other, your AD would be a good one to learn this lesson. I agree, salaries are out of kilter and the eventual downturn in TV contracts will drive coach's, professional players, etc, down as well.

[hawg1221]

Interesting . . . I saw the thread's subject line, but when I saw it was an msn link, figured it was a different article.  First time I've seen MSN post links to Sports Illustrated articles . . . or at least, first time I noticed it.

Sorry for the duplication.

One could have thought it was a college basketball article.

[FutureMan]

He tried and it didn't work out.  It happens.  Good luck to Bret, I hope he finds success in whatever path he chooses next.

[razorbackfaninar]

He tried and it didn't work out.  It happens.  Good luck to Bret, I hope he finds success in whatever path he chooses next.

I think that if we had won the Missouri game and the Belk Bowl he would still be here.  I still can't believe we lost that damn Belk Bowl.  I liked Bielema, but I have never seen such a head-scratcher of a series of games as that stretch between the loss of the MO game in 2016 and the loss of the one in 2018, I have re-watched a lot of those games and it's just hard to make sense of what happened.

[grayhawg]

I think that if we had won the Missouri game and the Belk Bowl he would still be here.  I still can't believe we lost that damn Belk Bowl.  I liked Bielema, but I have never seen such a head-scratcher of a series of games as that stretch between the loss of the MO game in 2016 and the loss of the one in 2018, I have re-watched a lot of those games and it's just hard to make sense of what happened.

Those two games done it for me, that's when I got off the Bret boat

[wachhog]

Bielema said he  didn't understand the kind of depth it took to play his style of football in the SEC West. Obviously, Long didn't know it either.
Funny that a total football novice such as I knew that much. They took our money to set our program back a decade. I have no sympathy.

[buldozer]

Sounds like BB and SI are still making excuses for a poor performance here by the fat guy. He recruited higher rated classes here than he did at WISkY..... he was lazy in coaching and recruiting is more factual and any top rated assistants he hired quit soon as they figured out his failings

[Russ22]

Nope, I'm saying the culpability extends beyond those two. As to the other, your AD would be a good one to learn this lesson. I agree, salaries are out of kilter and the eventual downturn in TV contracts will drive coach's, professional players, etc, down as well.

We agree.

[Inhogswetrust]

Clearly about to be a full moon.  As for market value comments, CBB was the second lowest paid HC in the West.

In that case he was overpaid by one. Had the worst record in the west his tenure.

[Hog N Bama]

Also, scroll down (after end of Bielema info) to see Nick Saban show off his dance moves.


https://www.si.com/college-football/2018/01/29/bret-bielema-arkansas-wisconsin-super-bowl

I don't give a rats butt what Saban is doing! Geez

[GoldCoastHog]

Bielema said he  didn't understand the kind of depth it took to play his style of football in the SEC West. Obviously, Long didn't know it either.
Funny that a total football novice such as I knew that much. They took our money to set our program back a decade. I have no sympathy.

Hmm, guess Bobby Petrino either got a memo or understood a little better..

[wachhog]

I said 5 years ago that he was a garbage coach as well as a guy with a very questionable character. I was correct. He's the worst coach we've ever had.

Amen.

[ParkerSchnabel]

That article only proves that he's STILL too stupid to get it. And how in the world are people on here saying it was a bad fit ? Are they referring to him trying to fit into a Volkswagen ? Its a job. Fit has nothing to do with it. You either do your job or you don't.

He's had all this time to reflect and he is still lost about what happened.

Hey Bert guess what. You ran off Pittman then you abandoned the run game in favor of a pass heavy offense bc you wanted to be Bobby. After you lost your identity you started throwing players under the bus. Oh and it really hurt when you stopped recruiting offensive lineman. Got it ? That blank stare still haunts me. Dude is retarded and anyone who supported him post year one is too.

[wachhog]

Another that I agree with. It is easy to be smitten with the new girl at school.

Just the fact that Morris is not that loud-mouthed  tub of lard is enough to make me happy. He was an embarrassment in so many ways.

[From Tusk Till Dawn]

In that case he was overpaid by one. Had the worst record in the west his tenure.

I know its crazy, although his first 3 years records are remarkably similar to our new head coach's past gig (main difference being back to back bowl wins).  I kid, I kid, Im looking forward to CCM's new scheme, just a little worried about the transition.

[Hog N Bama]

Those two games done it for me, that's when I got off the Bret boat

Me too. I said I'm done. No more excuses. GIT!

[Redhogs]

This is silly. Long did not have to overpay and bend the UA athletic department over on a buyout. Bert and Jeff used a win over a down and out rival to milk the UA for a bunch of $. That was not "market forces" creating the situation with that contract. Sometimes, you are better off letting a guy walk knowing that you can get someone as good or better for the same or less money.

Thank you.....maybe jeffie even got a kick back for their little scam...we'll never know. At best incompetence, at worst criminal.