Sounds like it's Chavis?

[Ray_Finkle]

I hope so. Venables is my top choice. If it's not him though I wonder if it could be Mike Stoops. With Bob Stoops retiring when he did, Lincoln Riley didn't really get to hire his own staff. I could see Venables making that connection since he's worked with both Stoops and Morris.

I work with several OU fans and they would love for us to take Mike Stoops off their hands...  they are not fans of his...   

[SooieGeneris]

Of course, that awesome 2014 defense was built around NFL talent.  It's all about the jimmies and joes.

You can't win without good players, but good players can and often do fail with a bad system/bad coaching.

The Rams are a good example. They scored more points in the first 7 games than all of last season with almost the exact same players.

They did add Whitworth at LT and a couple of others, but the core group is the same.

Yes, Jared Goff showed tremendous improvement, but could he have done that in Jeff Fisher's dinosaur offense? I doubt it

[Hugo Bezdek]

I work with several OU fans and they would love for us to take Mike Stoops off their hands...  they are not fans of his...

Yeah they've been pretty pedestrian recently.

[WarEagleSharkFalconHawg]

We went from 12 commits to 11 on 247sports today.  Who did we lose?

[Neednewcoach]

Per football Scoop..........Phil Bennett: Source tells FootballScoop Arizona State defensive coordinator Phil Bennett plans to leave Arizona State. Phil & his wife live in College Station, TX...and Jimbo Fisher is on the look for a defensive coordinator. Texas A&M is definitely not confirmed but quite interesting. At this time all we are reporting is that Phil is leaving Arizona State. Could Arkansas be the spot? Time will tell...

[redeye]

We went from 12 commits to 11 on 247sports today.  Who did we lose?

The RB from Louisiana.

Sorry I don't remember his name, because I haven't been following recruiting this year.

[Wildhog]

The RB from Louisiana.

Sorry I don't remember his name, because I haven't been following recruiting this year.

Jeremy Gibson

[DuckTalesLOL]

The RB from Louisiana.

Sorry I don't remember his name, because I haven't been following recruiting this year.

Jeremy Gibson

[WarEagleSharkFalconHawg]

Jeremy Gibson

Thanks. Didn't see that anywhere else.

[REBEL1]

Chavis has an Interview Thursday with CCM.   

[TX HOG]

Chavis has an Interview Thursday with CCM.   

I'm not sure if Chavis has the 'fire' that CCM is looking for. Maybe he does. I've aleays seen Chavis as barely awake in the booth. I must admit I don't know Chavis well so I could be incorrect

[Ray_Finkle]

Chavis has an Interview Thursday with CCM.

If this is true then why did he say he has the best DC in the country coming?  I think most fans took that as he had one already lined up.... 

[Earth Hog Fan]

Thanks. Didn't see that anywhere else.

Louisiana RB Jeremy Gibson de-commits from Arkansas

https://www.seccountry.com/arkansas/skilled-louisiana-rb-jeremy-gibson-de-commits-arkansas

[oldhawg]

If this is true then why did he say he has the best DC in the country coming?  I think most fans took that as he had one already lined up.... 

Coach speak designed to energize and hold recruits attention.  Chavez isn't chopped liver.  He is well known and  some consider him as good as anyone.

[Ray_Finkle]

Coach speak designed to energize and hold recruits attention.  Chavez isn't chopped liver.  He is well known and  some consider him as good as anyone.

It will be interesting to see who he hires. 

[reddogjcss]

I know folks talking about what teams scored against Chais lately but football has changed!  There is higher scoring nation wide. If he is hired here I'll give him my full support until he proves he can't do the job. His age comes with wisdom and his name will be a good recruiting.
Just saying he's lot better then 90% of D.C. Out there. In other words we could do a lot damn worse and not a bunch better.

[Eddie Goodson]

Morris was speaking in hyperbole when he made the best DC in the country remark. Hyperbole just blows people's minds.

[JONAS]

I'm not sure if Chavis has the 'fire' that CCM is looking for. Maybe he does. I've aleays seen Chavis as barely awake in the booth. I must admit I don't know Chavis well so I could be incorrect

Can't be any worse than we have had under BB.

[Ray_Finkle]

Morris was speaking in hyperbole when he made the best DC in the country remark. Hyperbole just blows people's minds.

my mind's not blown I just think if you are going to continually say something over and over you had better deliver...  not saying Chavis won't be good, I'm sure he will do great if CCM thinks he will.

And just because you use the word "hyperbole" doesn't make you cool....   

[a0ashle]

Morris was speaking in hyperbole when he made the best DC in the country remark. Hyperbole just blows people's minds.

People are always digging for ammo on here, what a miserable way to exist.

[Snouty]

We went from 12 commits to 11 on 247sports today.  Who did we lose?

Louisiana RB Jeremy Gibson de-commits from Arkansas

https://www.seccountry.com/arkansas/skilled-louisiana-rb-jeremy-gibson-de-commits-arkansas

From the article, it sounds like Arkansas de-committed from Jeremy Gibson.  The article did say the new staff isn't recruiting Gibson.
I'm sure we'll be fine with Whaley and TJ Hammonds.  I expect Coach Morris will actually play TJ.  (Sorry, I just can't refer to coaches as
CCM or CBB).

[Jonbo]

Morris was speaking in hyperbole when he made the best DC in the country remark. Hyperbole just blows people's minds.

Unfortunately, it made me cringe to hear him say that. Sounded too much like someone we know.

[Pig in the Pokey]

If this is true then why did he say he has the best DC in the country coming?  I think most fans took that as he had one already lined up....

pretty sure most fans take things wrong all the damn time. it's kinda arkansas fams' thing; lack of reading comprehension.

[Calvin Swine]

my mind's not blown I just think if you are going to continually say something over and over you had better deliver...  not saying Chavis won't be good, I'm sure he will do great if CCM thinks he will.

And just because you use the word "hyperbole" doesn't make you cool....   

He can't come out and say he's going to hire a pretty good defensive coordinator.  What recruit says, "Yeah!  Sign me up!" with a statement like that?  Chavis would be a very good to great hire.  He's known and well respected.  If you don't believe me try this little trick we've done at work:  Name the top 5 undisputed D-coordinators in the country right now off the top of your head.  My bet, if you're like us, you start saying, "Uhh, uhhhh" around 4.  Suddenly Chavis starts looking like a fantastic hire!

Take it a step further and do a little googleing with your top D-coordinator list.  I'll bet you most, if not all, have lackluster seasons in their ten year, wherever they're at (or have been).  Again, Chavis looks like a fantastic hire!

The Venables thing was never going to happen.  It just didn't make any sense.  I can't blame anyone for hoping against all that seems reasonable, but it's best to put that out of our minds.   

[JONAS]

From the article, it sounds like Arkansas de-committed from Jeremy Gibson.  The article did say the new staff isn't recruiting Gibson.
I'm sure we'll be fine with Whaley and TJ Hammonds.  I expect Coach Morris will actually play TJ.  (Sorry, I just can't refer to coaches as
CCM or CBB).

I had to with Bret.  I couldn't spell his last name.

[redeye]

Unfortunately, it made me cringe to hear him say that. Sounded too much like someone we know.

It bothers people, because the DC hire is so important.  But coaches are supposed to show spirit and claim their team is the best, so all this cringing is unwarranted, imo.  As fans, it's amazing how far we'll search just to find some reason to complain.

[Pig in the Pokey]

I had to with Bret.  I couldn't spell his last name.

i before e except after c

[Jonbo]

It bothers people, because the DC hire is so important.  But coaches are supposed to show spirit and claim their team is the best, so all this cringing is unwarranted, imo.  As fans, it's amazing how far we'll search just to find some reason to complain.

I know, I know. It's just coach-speak. Some bad recent memories, I have.

[ronmahony]

Per football Scoop..........Phil Bennett: Source tells FootballScoop Arizona State defensive coordinator Phil Bennett plans to leave Arizona State. Phil & his wife live in College Station, TX...and Jimbo Fisher is on the look for a defensive coordinator. Texas A&M is definitely not confirmed but quite interesting. At this time all we are reporting is that Phil is leaving Arizona State. Could Arkansas be the spot? Time will tell...

Well looks like to me if he lives in College Station he would be wanting the ATM job, not ours.

[oldhawg]

Wonder if Manny Diaz would consider leaving Miami to be DC at Arkansas?

[Dwight_K_Shrute]

Chavis is the Norm Chow of defense

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

Wonder if Manny Diaz would consider leaving Miami to be DC at Arkansas?

No, he from Miami

[sickboy]

If this is true then why did he say he has the best DC in the country coming?  I think most fans took that as he had one already lined up.... 

He was giving a "rah-rah" speech to his new team. Maybe don't take everything so literally.

[(notOM)Rebel123]

If this is true then why did he say he has the best DC in the country coming?  I think most fans took that as he had one already lined up.... 

...and how do you know he's not?

[searkhogfan]

From the article, it sounds like Arkansas de-committed from Jeremy Gibson.  The article did say the new staff isn't recruiting Gibson.
I'm sure we'll be fine with Whaley and TJ Hammonds.  I expect Coach Morris will actually play TJ.  (Sorry, I just can't refer to coaches as
CCM or CBB).

Maleek (sp) Williams redshirted

[huntindoc]

He was giving a "rah-rah" speech to his new team. Maybe don't take everything so literally.

I tend to agree with your approach but he did say it more than once, not just to the team.

[The_Bionic_Pig]

He just like the majority of us probably didn't have Coach Chavis in mind when making that statement.

Basically he had/has a list of guy's and the longer it takes, the more obvious our future DC is probably still employed and getting his current team ready for a bowl game.

[Phil D]

This thread is eerily similar to the Gus to Arkansas thread lol

[Peter Porker]

Of course, that awesome 2014 defense was built around NFL talent.  It's all about the jimmies and joes.

And it was the last time we were a ground-n-pound offense.

[(notOM)Rebel123]

He just like the majority of us probably didn't have Coach Chavis in mind when making that statement.

Basically he had/has a list of guy's and the longer it takes, the more obvious our future DC is probably still employed and getting his current team ready for a bowl game.

Exactly. As far as recruiting goes, the "contact period" ends Saturday. "Quiet Period" on Sunday, then the "Dead Period" begins Monday, Dec. 15 and runs thru January 11th.

[Pork Twain]

Chavis has an Interview Thursday with CCM.   

Sure he does...  Let me guess, you have "sources"

[Inhogswetrust]

Sure he does...  Let me guess, you have "sources"

Cousin Jack's best friends sisters boyfriends former boot camp roommate from Orifice North Dakota.

[Pork Twain]

Morris was speaking in hyperbole when he made the best DC in the country remark. Hyperbole just blows people's minds.

Until the hire is actually announced we don't really know this either.  He could have been speaking matter of fact.

[(notOM)Rebel123]

Chavis has an Interview Thursday with CCM.   

Heard Chavis requested it be early in the day....before his nap & early bird dinner at Golden Corral. 

[Ragnar Hogbrok]

Morris was speaking in hyperbole when he made the best DC in the country remark. Hyperbole just blows people's minds.

At this point, I'll take any bowl we can get in.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

Until the hire is actually announced we don't really know this either.  He could have been speaking matter of fact.

While that is in fact true, I still believe that in the end he will have to say something like, "This is the guy that is the best DC in the country for what we are going to be doing here at Arkansas in conjunction with our philosophy". A graceful step back from the original statement. I hope I am wrong.

[oldhawg]

While that is in fact true, I still believe that in the end he will have to say something like, "This is the guy that is the best DC in the country for what we are going to be doing here at Arkansas in conjunction with our philosophy". A graceful step back from the original statement. I hope I am wrong.

I do not for a minute believe it will be Venebles.  However, as you infer, I do believe it will be an excellent hire that will compliment what Morris is going to do offensively, and probably more importantly will mesh well with the rest of the staff.  In other words I think Morris will either hire someone he already knows, or he will have adequately vetted that person.

On the other hand, if Venebles's son does not sign with Clemson in December, could that be an indication of things to come?

[oldhawg]

I do not understand the mentality of the few folks who say, "If Morris does not hire Venebles, then he has lied to us."

Would you be happier if he said, "Well, I am offensively minded, but I'll get the best DC that I can."  Nice message to send to recruits on the defensive side of the ball.

Where would we be if Sam Walton's idea of excellence would have been to be the largest retailer in Northwest Arkansas, and he was satisfied with that.

Of course he (Morris) is going to get the best.  He is selling an idea.  He may not of even had Venebles in mind when he said that.  That is your conclusion, perhaps not Morris's vision.

Some complain about missing the train when it has not even left the station.

[GuvHog]

He can't come out and say he's going to hire a pretty good defensive coordinator.  What recruit says, "Yeah!  Sign me up!" with a statement like that?  Chavis would be a very good to great hire.  He's known and well respected.  If you don't believe me try this little trick we've done at work:  Name the top 5 undisputed D-coordinators in the country right now off the top of your head.  My bet, if you're like us, you start saying, "Uhh, uhhhh" around 4.  Suddenly Chavis starts looking like a fantastic hire!

Take it a step further and do a little googleing with your top D-coordinator list.  I'll bet you most, if not all, have lackluster seasons in their ten year, wherever they're at (or have been).  Again, Chavis looks like a fantastic hire!

The Venables thing was never going to happen.  It just didn't make any sense.  I can't blame anyone for hoping against all that seems reasonable, but it's best to put that out of our minds.   

1. Brent Venables
2. Steele (Auburn)
3. Pruitt (Now HC at Tennessee)
4. Mike Stoops
5. Todd Graham
6. Chavis

[jkstock04]

I took the "best DC in the country" as coach speak from the very beginning. However...I also took the statement as someone was already 100% committed and locked down. Then he kind of said later as to having a short list....so to me the big time contradiction isn't the "best DC in the country" coach speak, but that he would possibly make that statement without knowing 100% who the guy is. That's where I would get a little sideways.

The longer this drags on, one has to wonder. When he made that statement did he even have THE guy in mind? Or was that 100% blowing koolaid BS? I'm hoping the process for this behind the curtain is locked down, and they aren't scrambling to make a hire.