Nolan Richardson's Hall of Fame Speech

[Jason Carroll]

In case you missed it or want to watch it again here is a link to Nolan's Hall of Fame speech on Friday night.  One of the best speeches I have ever heard. 

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/hall_of_fame/2014/08/09/20140808-hall-of-fame-richardson.nba/index.html?cid=nbacomsocial_20140809_29439196

[whippersnapper]

I'm so glad I happen to be channel flipping and find this on tv. The live version was better because they didn't bleep out any of Coach's curse words. Haha. WPS

[Razor6]

Stayed up late to watch your link.  Thank you!

The wife doesn't appreciate the lap top light or volume tonight but... GO HOGS!

[moses_007]

Wow, what an awesome speech!  I noticed Nolan was wearing a Hog pin on his suit, but he really didn't have much to say about Arkansas. 

[intelligence]

Wow, what an awesome speech!  I noticed Nolan was wearing a Hog pin on his suit, but he really didn't have much to say about Arkansas.

can't say I blame him. Not a single person stood up for Nolan when he unveiled the supposed true colors of the beloved Frank Broyles. Dude won a national championship and we couldn't spare the money for a practice facility. But boy was ole frank eager to dump loads of cash in the vicinity of Hooty and the Bowlflush.

[ErieHog]

I'm happy for Nolan getting the acknowledgement he so richly deserves;  yeah, he rambled a little, but the man had a rambling journey that got him there.    I enjoyed all 30 minutes of it-  I only wish he'd gone for 10 more, to give the HOF 40 Minutes of Nolan.

[hogwild2882]

Great speech thanks for posting.  I hadn't heard him talk for more than a simple interview in so long I'd almost forgotten just how passionate he can get.  A true storyteller for sure.  Will be forever grateful for his contributions to the program.

Side note:  Anybody else notice around the 23:14 mark when he mentions his daughter dying and they show the audience some kid is laughing like he just told another joke? 

Side note II:  His impression of a dorky white coach complimenting his players for being well coached was hilarious.  Chappelle-esque if you will

[AHSC412]

Awesome! Thanks for the link!

[thebignasty]

Nolan is awesome. 

[hogcard1964]

I expect to get blasted but I thought he sounded ridiculous.  He rambled and stumbled over his words for the better part of twenty minutes.  At least he treaded lightly over racial issues.

[go hogues]

Nolan is awesome. 

That was a great speech.

[thebignasty]

I expect to get blasted but I thought he sounded ridiculous.  He rambled and stumbled over his words for the better part of twenty minutes.  At least he treaded lightly over racial issues.

It was not a polished or slick production.



It was better than those usually are.

[WilsonHog]

I loved every bit of it. If it would have been anything other than what it was, Nolan wouldn't have been true to himself.

[Dark Helmet Hog]

Thanks for posting. I enjoyed the speech.

[Boarcephus]

Man that brought back fond memories.  Caught myself getting a little teary eyed at times.

[Slater]

I expect to get blasted but I thought he sounded ridiculous.  He rambled and stumbled over his words for the better part of twenty minutes.  At least he treaded lightly over racial issues.

It was from the heart and showed his love of the game and love for life. Great man, great coach. He's a much better man than those who showed him the door in 2002. He even mentioned Broyles, something I would not have done unless it was with the middle finger salute.

[Dwight_K_Shrute]

That was a great speech.

He is 72 years old. You will most likely be drooling on yourself and wearing an adult diaper at that age

Google him and see what others are saying. It was not the typical acceptance speech. He held the audiences attention got a message across and kept them entertained. Spoke from the heart stayed true to himself and came off as real not phony or fake humble.

[Swinesong1]

He is 72 years old. You will most likely be drooling on yourself and wearing an adult diaper at that age

Google him and see what others are saying. It was not the typical acceptance speech. He held the audiences attention got a message across and kept them entertained. Spoke from the heart stayed true to himself and came off as real not phony or fake humble.

Great points.  And if you listened to anyone else's speech, they weren't even in the same neighborhood as far as captivating and entertainment.

[HF#1]

Better than Jordan's speech...

[HF#1]

I was a little surprised there was little mention of the success he had here.  No mention of Mike or his players. 

But an entertaining speech, no doubt.

[Hog_Fink]

fantastic speech. good to see Nolan getting the credit he deserves.

[Ray Piggers]

I expect to get blasted but I thought he sounded ridiculous.  He rambled and stumbled over his words for the better part of twenty minutes.  At least he treaded lightly over racial issues.

Yeah, and you should.

-1

[SemperFi]

In case you missed it or want to watch it again here is a link to Nolan's Hall of Fame speech on Friday night.  One of the best speeches I have ever heard. 

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/hall_of_fame/2014/08/09/20140808-hall-of-fame-richardson.nba/index.html?cid=nbacomsocial_20140809_29439196

Thank you very much for posting the link. I really enjoyed hearing Nolan's speech. The man is so deserving and will forever our Head Hog.

[jesterzzn]

I expect to get blasted but I thought he sounded ridiculous.  He rambled and stumbled over his words for the better part of twenty minutes.  At least he treaded lightly over racial issues.

Well, you do deserve to be blasted for it.

Nolan always made people uncomfortable.  He refused to change himself to fit the crowd.  This speech is 100% pure Nolan, and while I am glad to see many here being supportive, I am also confident that there are a great many just like you out there as well.

I used to think, and I know Nolan did as well, that this was primarily racially motivated but I'm not so sure anymore.  Oh, that racial component is definitely there, but there is more to it as well.

I see a lot of the same unease that people used to feel whenever Nolan spoke about something now being directed at CBB.  That same implied, "our coach doesn't act right" mentality.  That he just needs to keep his mouth shut and coach.

So, in some ways maybe that shows growth.  It also shows just how beat down the mentality of a good number of the fans in this state really is.  We needed a coach like Nolan.  A coach that wouldn't let the defeatists and the conformists -- the guys that say we need to "tread lightly" -- have any influence over the fire and desire that raged in his heart. 

Coach Richardson is someone I look up to.  Not as an idealistic role-model, but as a man that overcame adversity and dragged this state kicking and screaming behind him.

[Ugly Uncle]

He is in multiple HOFs and has a Jr. High named after him...yet nothing on our campus bears his name.  THAT is a shame.

[hawkhawg]

That was a great. Time to name court after him.

[intelligence]

Well, you do deserve to be blasted for it.

Nolan always made people uncomfortable.  He refused to change himself to fit the crowd.  This speech is 100% pure Nolan, and while I am glad to see many here being supportive, I am also confident that there are a great many just like you out there as well.

I used to think, and I know Nolan did as well, that this was primarily racially motivated but I'm not so sure anymore.  Oh, that racial component is definitely there, but there is more to it as well.

I see a lot of the same unease that people used to feel whenever Nolan spoke about something now being directed at CBB.  That same implied, "our coach doesn't act right" mentality.  That he just needs to keep his mouth shut and coach.

So, in some ways maybe that shows growth.  It also shows just how beat down the mentality of a good number of the fans in this state really is.  We needed a coach like Nolan.  A coach that wouldn't let the defeatists and the conformists -- the guys that say we need to "tread lightly" -- have any influence over the fire and desire that raged in his heart. 

Coach Richardson is someone I look up to.  Not as an idealistic role-model, but as a man that overcame adversity and dragged this state kicking and screaming behind him.

He is in multiple HOFs and has a Jr. High named after him...yet nothing on our campus bears his name.  THAT is a shame.

That was a great. Time to name court after him.

+1's for all

[bruisemeister]

His daughter was dying and people were calling for his head.
They shot his horse.
However, he still remained in Fayetteville after he was dismissed.

Quotes like"he only gets those street kids from Memphis that don't tuck their shirts in";
"he doesn't get enough Arkansas kids"
I can still remember the quotes when the team started to fall out of the national limelight. "I wished he could still get those street kids from Memphis"

How about these paraphrased quotes from 2 powerful media members in the state:

"he's a great recruiter, he's a great motivator but he's not a great coach";
"I like Oklahoma State, I prefer my basketball, Eddie Sutton style";

He visited one of those people while they were ill in the hospital. He ended up liking Nolan. The other now speaks fondly of Nolan.

Nolan was a Man that brought this state together sportswise during a time when the football team frankly sucked. He was an inspiration to me and I pass down some of the things he taught us to my workers, children and grandchildren. He's the best.

[Jeffcphog]

Nolan gave his blood, sweat and tears to the Razorbacks.  He got frustrated and I can't blame him.  In my younger years I didn't care for the man.  But now I have grown up.  So has the State of Arkansas.  Great coach who took the Razorbacks to the top of the basketball world.  The NCAA is the reason we went downhill.  The stunt they pulled on us can never be rectified.

[TomBigBeeHog]

In case you missed it or want to watch it again here is a link to Nolan's Hall of Fame speech on Friday night.  One of the best speeches I have ever heard. 

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/hall_of_fame/2014/08/09/20140808-hall-of-fame-richardson.nba/index.html?cid=nbacomsocial_20140809_29439196

Thanks for the link. So, so good. My wife, who is from California and only pretends to be interested in the Hogs to humor me, loved the speech. You don't have to be a Hog fan to appreciate the man.

Makes me appreciate the years we had him even more. I miss that ol' bear of a man on the sidelines slowly standing up and walking to to the edge of the court while giving an official the drop dead evil eye glare. You could almost see a ref shrink beneath that gaze.

I love you Nolan. My only man crush and I ain't ashamed.  :razorback: :razorback: :razorback:

[ldfergu]

The part that stuck out to me was this quote: "kids need role models.. BULL darn! Kids need good parents."  Maybe a little paraphrased but those words are so true.

[Inhogswetrust]

I loved every bit of it. If it would have been anything other than what it was, Nolan wouldn't have been true to himself.

Exactly.

[Inhogswetrust]

Nolan gave his blood, sweat and tears to the Razorbacks.  He got frustrated and I can't blame him.  In my younger years I didn't care for the man.  But now I have grown up.  So has the State of Arkansas.  Great coach who took the Razorbacks to the top of the basketball world.  The NCAA is the reason we went downhill.  The stunt they pulled on us can never be rectified.

I can understand Nolan getting frustrated. The NCAA was no stunt. We got caught doing things that we weren't suppose to do. Nolan was not at fault.

[chiefhawg]

I can understand Nolan getting frustrated. The NCAA was no stunt. We got caught doing things that we weren't suppose to do. Nolan was not at fault.

Jesse Pate maybe I never understood the full story there.  Sunday Adebayo? He was ruled ineligible, then there is an oops then reinstated after he has played a year at Memphis. That was someone's mess up. We also self imposed no JC Recruits.

[Nosboar Accubond]

Great speech, though I was surprised he didnt mention Coach A

[secfan30]

I expect to get blasted but I thought he sounded ridiculous.  He rambled and stumbled over his words for the better part of twenty minutes.  At least he treaded lightly over racial issues.

Sounded like a grandpa sharing stories of the way things used to be. He was captivating, not Bill Clintonesqe smooth, but captivating in his way. I enjoyed every second of it.

[secfan30]

I can understand Nolan getting frustrated. The NCAA was no stunt. We got caught doing things that we weren't suppose to do. Nolan was not at fault.

Actually we did not. The NCAA admitted they were wrong and told those players, 2 years later, they could come back for a semester. Only Sunday came back.

[HognitiveDissonance]

can't say I blame him. Not a single person stood up for Nolan when he unveiled the supposed true colors of the beloved Frank Broyles. Dude won a national championship and we couldn't spare the money for a practice facility. But boy was ole frank eager to dump loads of cash in the vicinity of Hooty and the Bowlflush.

The same Frank Broyles who got a Taj Mahal facility built for him? (Bud Walton Arena).
The same Broyles that arranged a lucrative annuity for Nolan after his first Final 4 appearance?
Nolan got everything he needed, or deserved, when it was needed or deserved. When he stopped winning as much later in his tenure at Ark, he didn't get as much. That's the way it's supposed to work. Nolan was treated very fairly at Arkansas.

[dhornjr1]

His daughter was dying and people were calling for his head.
They shot his horse.
However, he still remained in Fayetteville after he was dismissed.

Quotes like"he only gets those street kids from Memphis that don't tuck their shirts in";
"he doesn't get enough Arkansas kids"
I can still remember the quotes when the team started to fall out of the national limelight. "I wished he could still get those street kids from Memphis"

How about these paraphrased quotes from 2 powerful media members in the state:

"he's a great recruiter, he's a great motivator but he's not a great coach";
"I like Oklahoma State, I prefer my basketball, Eddie Sutton style";

He visited one of those people while they were ill in the hospital. He ended up liking Nolan. The other now speaks fondly of Nolan.

Nolan was a Man that brought this state together sportswise during a time when the football team frankly sucked. He was an inspiration to me and I pass down some of the things he taught us to my workers, children and grandchildren. He's the best.

+1

[Inhogswetrust]

Actually we did not. The NCAA admitted they were wrong and told those players, 2 years later, they could come back for a semester. Only Sunday came back.

Really? How about the basketball admin that got caught doing "paperwork" for players.

[jswineberiaskirk]

Made a point to watch it live. Great speech, greater man. How many on here who if they were told they couldn't do this or that simply because of their skin color wouldn't be the same as Nolan? The people who shot his horse deserve the same.

I loved his story of the BB game between the forces of heaven and hell. Also his point about kids needing good parents.

he blew everyone else away. He loves Larry Bird that's for sure.

[ChromDome35]

I miss that man being our coach.

What a great speech, what a great man, what a great message.

Its easy to understand how he got those kids to accomplish what they did.

[trippigs]

Nolan is a very strong man. He still has some fire as well.

[Arazorbackguy1]

Who is John Mcclendan?

[Rocket23]

I think he was the first black head basketball coach at a predominantly white university? He  was more or less the pioneer of fast break basketball.

[Rocket23]

Listened to his speech today on NBA TV.  Fantastic!

[root_hawg]

Yawn..he got paid to win and when he did..he got paid.  When he stopped winning and started complaining, he was gone.  Enjoy the accolades and the retirement.

[Inhogswetrust]

I think he was the first black head basketball coach at a predominantly white university? He  was more or less the pioneer of fast break basketball.

In the south yes. There were other really good black coaches at predominantly white schools in other areas. George Raveling and John Thompson come to mind. I'd say more of a proponent of fast break offense. Quite a few coaches played that way before. We had a coach prior to Nolan that loved fast break basketball. The difference was Nolan also stressed defense as well.

[TomBigBeeHog]

.  Enjoy the accolades and the retirement.

Sounds like that's what he's doing.  Loving life,  having a great time and looking fit and trim.

[HF#1]

He is in multiple HOFs and has a Jr. High named after him...yet nothing on our campus bears his name.  THAT is a shame.

It baffles me as well Ched.  Nolan is a legend, built this program, and we have yet to truly honor him.