WAS THE LAST 10 YRS WORTH IT?

[HAM ELLIOT]

We have alll suffered (at least the majority 5% of us)  over the last 10 years.   Things are really looking up for us now, but my question is, was it worth it?  If we had it to do over again, would you take TCTWF for 10 years, knowing that in the end we would have a coach like BP coming in?  Personally I am tickled pink, but dont think I could handle another 10 yr span like we just had!

[MuskogeeHogFan]

We have alll suffered (at least the majority 5% of us)  over the last 10 years.   Things are really looking up for us now, but my question is, was it worth it?  If we had it to do over again, would you take TCTWF for 10 years, knowing that in the end we would have a coach like BP coming in?  Personally I am tickled pink, but dont think I could handle another 10 yr span like we just had!

I wanted him gone after three years....let alone 10. Evene when he won with someone elses players, I saw his boneheaded play calling and lost opportunities. I wish we had made this change 7 years ago and all of this would have been but a faint memory now.

[losthawg68]

i dont' think that a decade of the nutter was worth much at all.  yes, i am glad that we are now on the road of success but it should've happened much, much sooner.  and i must admitt, i was giving hooten the benefit of the doubt going into the later years.  i chock that up to being young and dumb though.  it did pay off, but risk over reward is not worth the risk in most cases

[fineswine]

Heck no! I'm getting too old to deal with any more of that garbage.

[Masshog]

No!!  His actions drug this program into the gutter.  For the first time ever I wasn't proud of the university. 

[arkjay19]

Is everyone really sure that someone else could have easily come in and reenergized the program and built Arkansas back up like Nutt did?  Tuberville had a better base to build with when he went to Auburn a year later.  And who else wanted that crappy job in '98?  Hate him or not Nutt built the program back up and made Arkansas football relevant again; aided by a great expansion to the stadium and the timing was genius by Broyles.  Nutt did a good job, but he just overstayed his welcome by at least 3 years for most people, but Arkansas is in prime position to push forward with Petrino, so I say the last 10 years were worth it because of the Matt Joneses, Darren McFaddens, Peyton Hillises, Cedric Cobbs, and Felix Joneses of the Razorback football program that were so fun to watch during that time period and because of what the future looks like for the program.

[ballhog]

There were plenty of negatives with Nutt, but it wasn't all bad.

5 Jan. 1 bowls, 3 Western Division titles, a Heisman runner up 2 years in a row...of course things could have been better, but I don't think it was 10 years of suffering...if that was the case then it has been about 18 continuous years of suffering...maybe some feel that way, but I don't.

There were good things that happened while Nutt was here, like him or not...but I am very glad we have Petrino now...I would love to see what he could have done with the same talent these last 2 seasons.

[hogwild1]

There were plenty of negatives with Nutt, but it wasn't all bad.

5 Jan. 1 bowls, 3 Western Division titles, a Heisman runner up 2 years in a row...of course things could have been better, but I don't think it was 10 years of suffering...if that was the case then it has been about 18 continuous years of suffering...maybe some feel that way, but I don't.

There were good things that happened while Nutt was here, like him or not...but I am very glad we have Petrino now...I would love to see what he could have done with the same talent these last 2 seasons.

That's all true but look at all the talent from Arkansas that left because of him.

[Justifiable Hogicide]

The last ten years (Nutt) was very damaging to this University and it's football program.

It will take a lot of time and effort to repair the damage, but it seems we have the coach in place now that is capable of doing that and more.

[idiotghos]

We have alll suffered (at least the majority 5% of us)  over the last 10 years.

Although, like many, I was displeased with our coach, I would not say that any hog fans "suffered" beyond bruises from bashing their heads on the wall.

[arkjay19]

The last ten years (Nutt) was very damaging to this University and it's football program.

It will take a lot of time and effort to repair the damage, but it seems we have the coach in place now that is capable of doing that and more.

The eight years before him were a LOT worse.  The only damage Nutt ever really did was to the fan base, not the university or the program.

That's all true but look at all the talent from Arkansas that left because of him.

I accept that as only an eventual consequence of the ever growing talent base in Arkansas.  Petrino won't be able to keep everyone in state either, but I am biased as a huge fan of Arkansas high school football because I love the fact that so many high school kids are playing for good programs now.

[Smokehouse]

There were plenty of negatives with Nutt, but it wasn't all bad.

5 Jan. 1 bowls, 3 Western Division titles, a Heisman runner up 2 years in a row...of course things could have been better, but I don't think it was 10 years of suffering...if that was the case then it has been about 18 continuous years of suffering...maybe some feel that way, but I don't.

There were good things that happened while Nutt was here, like him or not...but I am very glad we have Petrino now...I would love to see what he could have done with the same talent these last 2 seasons.

the thing is, those numbers don't really impress me too much. Look at his record after he got us into those Jan 1. games, 3 west div. titles - putting the "west" on there means that out of three times he wasn't good enough to win one more game to claim it all, and the fact that he had to two-time Heisman runner up and wasn't able to A. get into a BCS bowl with him or B. utilize him enough to get past being runner-up to actually winning the thing.

[PearlHarbor]

Well, did we win anything in Nutter's decade?
No?
I guess that pretty much answers the question then.

[Tejano Jawg]

This is all hard to think about now. But I still hold to the idea that Nutt should have been fired somewhere in or around those 2 losing seasons.

[softserve]

I'm not going to lie.  I had some AWESOME times under TCTWF.  I started college the year he was hired.  My sorrows were always eased by the daughters of Arkansas and a few cocktails. WPS.

[Little Billy Jr.]

We could have done much better than Hootie but Paw Paw was not going to let that happen. Nutt was the perfect Paw Paw coach. He didn't get paid all that much, he won just enough to keep the seats mostly full and he was IN NO DANGER of having a better program than Paw Paw had. He also sucked up to Paw Paw and practiced the fine art of lying to the fans which Paw Paw perfected. So, as long as Paw Paw was running the show Yes, Hootie was as good as it was gonna get. Thankfully our new AD was willing to pay good money to get a good coach. In the meantime we haven't heard spit out of Paw Paw which is wonderful news.

[arkjay19]

the thing is, those numbers don't really impress me too much. Look at his record after he got us into those Jan 1. games, 3 west div. titles - putting the "west" on there means that out of three times he wasn't good enough to win one more game to claim it all, and the fact that he had to two-time Heisman runner up and wasn't able to A. get into a BCS bowl with him or B. utilize him enough to get past being runner-up to actually winning the thing.

How impressive was Arkansas before he got here?  Like I said, he overstayed his welcome, but he did a lot of good for the program.

[bhamrzrbk]

The damage to Arkansas was done by the fans. I do not worship Nutt by any means, but the fans who are so proud of running him off are a much larger embarrassment to me than he was. His biggest problem was play calling. He was given a chance when he was forced to get an offensive coordinator, but he blew it. For this reason alone he should be gone, not the immature crap that was dealt him by the fans.

[kountry]

Another 10 years would lose the entire fan base, so nobody would be around for the good coach to come in

[DeltaBoy]

If we don't blow any 4th quarter leads this year and win a bowl game, It will be worth it!

[12247]

The immature crap was what finally got Nutt on down the road.  Without it, he would be out recruiting a little and BSing a lot today for the UofA.  He was best at keeping Paw Paw happy.  He was never worth crap at gameday play calling and he never will be.  His ego wouldn't allow him to hire people who could do what he couldn't.  No, the last 10 years were not worth it.  Most likely coach Ford would have eventually started winning in the SEC and overall, done a better job these past 10 years.  Doubt he would have lasted 10 years with Paw Paw, however.  Houston Nutt cost the team 2 or 3 wins every year because he simply wasn't a gameday coach.  He was a great rah rah man and could sell the fans on rah rah every year.

[NolanForAD]

I see the last decade as an almost total waste of the greatest talent Arkansas' high schools have ever produced.  Matt Jones, Darren McFadden, and Mitch Mustain were all virtually wasted by Nutt.   He benefitted from perfect timing.  He inherited a great team, facilities were upgraded, and the best players to ever wear the uniform fell in his lap.  Any fool could have done better than Nutt.  It took a special fool to screw things up as bad as Nutt did. 

[toozakpig]

Has anyone looked at the fact that it took tens years to finally clean house at UofA. Hooten did do some good things, however his arrogance about play-calling and his constant lying did him in. It is sad or good, they did it to themselves. If he would have simply adjusted what he was doing. Odds are that he would still be here. But no, the last four years have not been worth it.

[Swinehart]

The damage to Arkansas was done by the fans. I do not worship Nutt by any means, but the fans who are so proud of running him off are a much larger embarrassment to me than he was.

The program IS THE FANS, the money IS THE FANS.  Without the fans there would be no money, no program . . . . NOTHING!

[Master B]

I HATE the excuse of the Crowe, Kines, & Ford years to glorify TCTWF.  THESE ARE SORRY COACHES that should have never been hired here at our great university.  These were Paw Paw mistakes, and this marked the decline of Paw Paw.  How much greatness have these coaches gone on to do since at other universities??? 

Btw, how many of those great Jan 1 bowl games did ole Hootie win?

[tmp]

for me, nutt should have been allowed to leave in 2003 when nebraska came calling

the last five years of nutt should have never happened

it's the direct result of broyles staying too long

broyles was in charge during this fiasco, the buck stops there...

[Hog1952]

No

Just look at the great coaches we missed out on because of ego.
Thanks Paw Paw

[chilimac]

Swinehart, I respectfully partially disagree.  Yes, the fans financially support the program.  But, the program is about the athletes. 

And, for my two cents worth about Hootie.  I agree the last four or so years have been painful to watch.  A program that had decent talent, was brought up by Hootie from true muck brought about by FB's screw ups and subsequent damage control (I remember watching Ken Hatfield's offensive lines totally dominate fourth quarter defenses), and then the same kind of arrogance that put the program in the muck return once again by way of Hootie.  I am glad he's gone, he stayed until his arrogance did him in, and now we have an incredible offensive future ahead which is brighter than the Hatfield or Holtz years.

[Swinehart]

Swinehart, I respectfully partially disagree.  Yes, the fans financially support the program.  But, the program is about the athletes. 

In your opinion, what would happen to the program if only the students showed up at a dollar a head plus a few family members?  Wake up, IT"S THE MONEY that drives the bus!  Fans = MONEY = Program.

When attendance figures start down in their "money maker" . . . . you can always start looking for a new coach.

[Brer Hog]

Ask Ole Miss this question in a few years.    Say 3 to 5. 

It may not have been worth it, but it was sure "special". 

[Sivad]

  It took a special fool to screw things up as bad as Nutt did. 

I'm laminating that and putting it on my coffee table.

[Newport Hog]

My feeling on Nutt was he was good for the state his first 5 years after that he should of have left or been fired.  In his last 5 years I saw a evil man in Nutt to run off coaches, players and fans for that matter. 

Im glad that the folks flew the banner I am also glad about Hogville I totally believe it was us that got the house cleaning up there started.   Because of us we didnt have to settle for Tommy Bowden or Jim Grobe or anyother sorry coach we demanded a great coach and we got one. 

Frank Broyles had did us wrong for 15 years, he over stayed his welcome he had too much power for years he controlled the media,newpapers etc but he couldnt control this board and yea for that Go Hogville

[superhog101]

My feeling on Nutt was he was good for the state his first 5 years after that he should of have left or been fired.  In his last 5 years I saw a evil man in Nutt to run off coaches, players and fans for that matter. 

Im glad that the folks flew the banner I am also glad about Hogville I totally believe it was us that got the house cleaning up there started.   Because of us we didnt have to settle for Tommy Bowden or Jim Grobe or anyother sorry coach we demanded a great coach and we got one. 

Frank Broyles had did us wrong for 15 years, he over stayed his welcome he had too much power for years he controlled the media,newpapers etc but he couldnt control this board and yea for that Go Hogville

Nice Post

[Vandimar]

I'm not sure a lot of people on this board remember Danny Ford, or maybe they've just blocked out the entirety of the mid 90's. HDN didn't destroy the program, he just stayed a bit long. In the grand scheme he was probably even good for the program. I think some people will realize this after their emotions cool down.

[D Ive Wright]

They will bring him (HN )back in ten years to celebrate the anniversary of the 'golden handcuffs being removed". John White will also be honored after Ark wins it's third national championship.

[kountry]

I see the last decade as an almost total waste of the greatest talent Arkansas' high schools have ever produced.  Matt Jones, Darren McFadden, and Mitch Mustain were all virtually wasted by Nutt.   He benefitted from perfect timing.  He inherited a great team, facilities were upgraded, and the best players to ever wear the uniform fell in his lap.  Any fool could have done better than Nutt.  It took a special fool to screw things up as bad as Nutt did. 

I have to put this in my siggy, I especially love the last line +1

[budcampbellfan]

What does one thing have to do with another?  nut should have never been here.  We should have gotten a top level coach when Holtz left. 

Thank JFB for always going little and cheap so he could continue to be "the man".  He was holding us back with meddling and his little stadium long before White screwed the TT deal up with his committee.

[jmark]

Frank has to be the ONLY person who would think the total division of the fan base was worth it.

If the new coach was muschamp or reggie, we would have been in the same boat as soon as the season started.  Jerry Jones and BP stepped up and saved our a$$.

[hogwild1]

The eight years before him were a LOT worse.  The only damage Nutt ever really did was to the fan base, not the university or the program.


I accept that as only an eventual consequence of the ever growing talent base in Arkansas.  Petrino won't be able to keep everyone in state either, but I am biased as a huge fan of Arkansas high school football because I love the fact that so many high school kids are playing for good programs now.

That is true to a certain point. You CANNOT let your best instate talent leave.