Arkansas fans needs to get the facts straight. We (Ole Miss) didn't get their sloppy seconds. He chose Ole Miss instead of the talent-depleted Arkansas Razorbacks, which would make Arkansas the sloppy seconds.
After the upset over the No. 1 team in the nation, LSU, Frank Broyles and Arkansas offered Nutt a two-year extension for $2.4 million a year. He declined the offer.
Houston Nutt resigned from the Arkansas Razorbacks, and then hours later, was in negotiations with Ole Miss for their head-coaching job.
On Nov. 26, 2007, Houston Nutt agreed to a four-year contract worth around $1.7 million per year.
Let's do the math here: $2.4 million dollar extension or $1.7 million dollar contract?
Houston Nutt basically took a salary cut, but does he take a hit in talent?
The best running-back duo in the country, Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, both declared for the NFL Draft. Also gone are WR Marcus Monk and FB Peyton Hillis.
So, can you do it? Can you name me a current Arkansas Razorback player? Wait, there's "All-Star" Casey Dick, a QB the Arkansas faithful once hated in 2006 when he took the starting job away from Mitch Mustain (much to the disapproval of Mustain's mommy).
So, we've basically declared that Ole Miss has more talent than Arkansas. Disagree? Be sure to check out my past article:
The Battle Upfront: Three Ole Miss Players named to Early NFL Mock Draft
Okay, now that we have that settled.
So, I hear this all the time: "Nutt really didn't impress me as a head coach at Arkansas." Let's just go ahead and prove that wrong as well.
Houston Nutt basically rebuilt the Arkansas program. The football program at Arkansas was 38-51-2 from 1990-1997. On Dec. 10, 1997, Houston Nutt was named head coach. Over the past decade, Houston Nutt has compiled a 75-48 record as head coach for Arkansas, while going 42-38 in the SEC.
In his first season, he earned a 9-3 record and an SEC West title with a team that had decent talent. He was also named the National Coach of the Year that year.
Now, let's take a look at the Ole Miss past and present. Does Ole Miss have what it takes to get over the hump and be an elite SEC program? Of course they do!
Ole Miss, in case you haven't visited, has one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, some of the nicest facilities, and they are upgrading by the year. An above-average stadium (holds over 60,000), historic gameday traditions, and state-of-the-art indoor football practice facility are just a few of the selling points. It is possible to recruit with success at Ole Miss.
David Cutcliffe, former coach for Ole Miss before Ed Orgeron, had great success on the field, but was criticized for recruiting efforts (particularly after Eli was signed). After a disappointing four-win season, coming off a 10-win season (yep, you guessed it, the year after Eli left), the administration demanded changes in staff and detailed recruiting plans and Cutcliffe refused. He was fired.
The Ole Miss administration then thought their problems had been solved as they went after a coach who could recruit: former recruiter of the year by Rivals.com, Ed Orgeron.
142 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Brock Reynolds 11 months ago
Wow! You are exactly right. Houston Nutt chose Ole Miss over Arkansas. Never mind that he was offered the Nebraska job with a 2 million dollar annual contract and refused. He simply could not refuse Ole Miss -- an obvious once in a lifetime opportunity. He could not refuse the mediocre stadium, the paltry game attendance, and one of the most intimidating mascots in all of college sports, Colonel Reb. Nebraska, it seems, was just too easy for a man as driven as Houston Nutt. Too easy to recruit. Too easy to garner favor with voters. Too easy to win in the Big XII North. So powerful was the Ole Miss lure that it was able to separate Houston fromm his home state, even though he was born and raised in Little Rock (the absolute heart of Razorback country) and his family and friends still reside there to this day. So convincing and undeniable is Ole Miss that Houston uprooted his family and that of his brother, Danny. Yeah! All of that.
Let's get something straight. To determine how Houston Nutt left Arkansas you need only look at his bank account. No college coach in America can voluntarily resign, stay within the same division of the same conference, sign a contract with a rival school that includes a pay raise, AND receive a 3 million dollar check from his former employer. The man was fired. That's why I wouldn't necessarily describe him as sloppy seconds. Ole Miss simply hired an out-of-work football coach. But make no mistake. Arkansas had discarded him, so in a very real sense, Ole Miss did pull him from the trash.
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Jared Martin 11 months ago
Nebraska isn't in the SEC. Why bother coaching anywhere else?
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Brock Reynolds 11 months ago
In Houston's case, "to win a championship" would be the answer to your question.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Thanks for the comment Brock,
Call it what you want, but Broyles wanted Nutt back. You don't FIRE a coach who just knocked off the #1 team in the nation at their place in one of the hardest stadiums to win in the NCAA. That just doesn't happen.
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Brock Reynolds 11 months ago
I didn't know a 19 year old student in Mississippi was so in tuned with what "Frank" wanted.
Let's see... First, you're not allowed to refer to Coach Broyles as Frank. Second, you don't have any idea what he was thinking. Let me offer this though--curiously, reports did surface that Nutt had the full support of the AD. Just as curious is the fact that said AD "retired" shortly thereafter.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Again, Brock, I'm just reporting what the media did, no "inside" info obviously. They reported (we'll play it like you want) Coach Broyles offered Nutt a 2 year extension. There are conspiracy theories about it, but that's the truth. They did offer an extension.
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nutted finally 11 months ago
I will bet any OM fan that the 'monkey with a whistle' (hooten) will never win more than 4 SEC games in any season at OM....he will NEVER do it.
If OM has sooooo much talent then I should get points on a UA/OM game bet and odds on the 4 season total.
Oh and if the hogs finish higher that OM in the SECW this year does that mean BP is a better coach that hooten?
You OM fans drink early don't you.
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Jon Mowery 11 months ago
October 25th, 2008.
Wait and see...
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Thanks for commenting, Jon.
I actually plan on being there. Not saying Arkansas won't beat Ole Miss, but I do believe however that Ole Miss does have better returning talent than Arkansas, but I do expect seeing a hostile crowd and anything can happen with that so ya never know. The game could go either way in my opinion.
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jj ff 11 months ago
ole miss is going to whip arkansas's ass
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Donald Fincher 11 months ago
Interesting take. Glad you admit to being a homer. But it's excusable to some degree given that the word fan is actually short for fanatic. Being a lifelong Razorback, I can bring you some needed perspective on the Houston Nutt situation. And while everyone will say that they are objective, I take extra measures to ensure that I am whenever possible.
Arkansas was a dominant force in college football from the 1960's through the 1980's but you are correct that Arkansas had a downturn during the early 90's. Some of that was due to a lackluster coach in Danny Ford that had seen his better days at Clemson and just wasn't up for the week-in/week-out grind of the SEC. Some of it was due to the fact that Arkansas switched conferences from the now disbanded Southwest Conference to the SEC in 1992 and, as we know now from Boston College, Miami, Arkansas, and even Texas and Texas A&M (who both along with Arkansas left the Southwest Conference), teams seem to struggle initially after switching conferences. So while you say that Nutt "rebuilt" Arkansas, I think some argument could be made for finding a coach with a pulse and becoming acclimating to the SEC. Ed Orgeron definitely had a pulse and Ole Miss is already acclimated to the SEC so neither of those "built-in" benefits that helped Nutt at Arkansas will help him this time around.
And although you think you got a great recruiter and gameday coach, both of those aspects were disappointing while he was at Arkansas. Darren McFadden, the best player Arkansas has ever seen, decided on attending Arkansas when he was in 9th grade because it was his childhood dream. He didn't even take any visits to other schools. So, while Nutt gets "credit" for that recruit, it skews his average up. Most of Nutt's other great players were not that heavily recruited by others. There is something to be said for talent development and Nutt's staff did some of that well. But Orgeron was a better recruiter so Ole Miss took a step down there.
As far as being a great gameday coach, that was the biggest frustration among the fans. Nutt lost so many games that Arkansas could have won. Arkansas blew leads in the 4th quarter in 3 of their 4 losses last year. And I have known since the day of the game that the only reason Arkansas beat LSU last year in Baton Rouge was because LSU was decimated with injuries. But even a stopped clock is right twice a day. And Nutt won a few games that he probably shouldn't have won. The fans are appreciative of that and that is why he was here for 10 years. But the sordid and lengthy history of the "ones that got away" were the biggest reason that fans turned on him.
Finally, make no mistake about it, there was a lot of smoke and mirrors surrounding his departure here. Nutt was publicly offered a contract for show. There was no intention for Nutt to stay and the decision to fire him had already been made. The University didn't want the bad press of firing the guy who just beat the number 1 team and had earned a second straight January bowl. But neither of those would have happened with the expected loss to LSU which, before the game began, was as foregone of a conclusion as his firing. A new AD was stepping in and the administration didn't want him to have to be saddled with the perception that not only is the SEC so tough but, at Arkansas they'll fire you even when you beat the eventual national champion. And Nutt wanted to avoid the embarrassment and resume black eye so he didn't want to look like he was fired. Therefore, the UA agreed to let him exit as a "winner" by offering him a contract he would "refuse." That contract, by the way, was only offered after Ole Miss had already secured Nutt's verbal commitment which played right in to this ruse. Nutt could be a willing participant because he already had a place to land.
But you don't have to believe me on that (even though that is what happened). The biggest indicator of which story is correct here is Nutt himself. Nutt has admitted on multiple occasions now that it was time for him to move on. And by saying that he means that he had worn so thin with a large percentage of the fan base that he was never going to win back over. He knew he could not withstand a losing season with a talent depleted team under the regime of a new AD. He would be fired and was much more marketable after just beating the #1 team than after the following year when his record would have likely been 4-8. But if Nutt had talent returning and the fans weren't clamoring for his departure, Nutt would still be at Arkansas right now and he would not be at Ole Miss. We both know that intuitively.
Just so you know, if Nutt's strengths aren't recruiting or game management, what are they? He is great with alumni and fans. Put him on the Rebel Club circuit and you will see a man in his element. He is pretty good at attracting position coaches (until he pisses them off). And, as I mentioned, he is pretty good at talent development...at least in the rushing and rush blocking department.
But I do wish Ole Miss well and maybe this will be a new beginning. Ole Miss fans sure deserve some good times for a change. And it's good to see someone taking the time to care enough to write about them. That hasn't happened all that much lately as their message boards are ghost towns. Thanks for that.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Wow, Donald, you bring up some really good points.
For some time, I've been watching Nutt and seeing his public relations among the fans at Ole Miss and they have been superb. I like the fact that you also can have discussions with backing up your views with facts, and that's just what you did.
By the way, I can see both sides of the argument and I wouldn't doubt that your side is true. Just added the first part to get some Razorback faithful responses :).
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Hog Fan 11 months ago
When's the last time you heard of an employee being fired and given a severance pay? If you really believe that Houston Nutt was given a choice to return then you're living in an alternate reality.
I also find it funny that you mention the "talent-depleted Arkansas Razorbacks". If you stop spewing your senseless drivel for one moment you might be able to figure out who is to blame for Arkansas' lack of talent. It's the same guy you just referred to as a "great recruiter". If he's so great, why did he leave behind a "talent-depleted" program?
You cite the '07 meeting w/LSU as proof that Houston can coach under pressure. But why don't you mention losses such as the '07 meeting w/LSU? Or how about the '06 SEC Championship? Or how about his 2-5 bowl record?
Oh, don't misunderstand me. Houston Nutt did some good things for AR football. He returned our program to a level of respectability that we had not had for a long time. But if you think that man will ever bring an SEC Title to Oxfart then you are completely delusional.
Get ready for a rude awakening this fall, Ole Myth fans.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Thanks for commenting, Hog.
I can see where Arkansas fans don't think he was offered a contract, I'm just reporting what the media had to say about it, I'm not sure about the "inside sources".
Talent depleted Arkansas Razorbacks isn't exactly Houston's fault. I almost want to take that back because the team probably has talent, just no experience due to McFadden and Jones taking the offense over.
I think you mean't something else on the third paragraph because you mention the same game. I was actually at the 2006 SEC Championship in Atlanta. My best friend is die hard Arkansas and gave me tickets to watch a "real team play". I saw the Fish guy for Arkansas also fumble the ball twice punt returning, and saw the momentum rise with Florida once they had a small lead and some fans were watching outside the stadium at TV's that showed UCLA knocking off USC, giving Florida a spot in the national championship if they won.
Nobody knows WHAT Houston Nutt's going to do at Ole Miss. I think it's probable he can bring us back to what we're used to which are winning seasons and bowl games. Further than that, nobody knows.
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Hog Fan 11 months ago
I apologize. I meant the '06 LSU game.
Also, in the '07 season alone, Houston Nutt managed to blow 4th quarter leads in three different games: Bama, Kentucky and Auburn. That's the '07 season alone.
If we go back throughout his tenure at Arkansas, you'd see that blowing leads late in the game is Nutt's calling card. The '98 season you mentioned....he blew a 4th quarter lead against in Knoxville w/a trip to the NC game on the line. The next week he blew a 4th quarter lead to MSU that would have granted us a rematch w/the Vols in Atlanta.
During the Nutt tenure we had four teams that were talented enough to win the SEC. Two of those teams only managed to win 4 games in the conference.
Just one more nugget for you to chew on: In Nutt's last four season at AR, we went 16-16 in the SEC. If you take Gus Malzhan and Mitchell Mustain out of the equation, we were 9-15 in the SEC. I find that quite interesting.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Hog, for the Alabama game, Alabama had a 2 TD (31-17) lead going into the 4th quarter, then Arkansas swung back and took the lead and then Alabama avoided the choke and scored at the end. I think that's more of a choke for AL then a blown lead.
Also, going into the fourth quarter, Kentucky was beating Arkansas 21-20 but Andre Woodson was sacked in the endzone to give the Hawgs a 1 point lead, then Felix Jones took the kickoff back, then with McFadden out of the game with an injury (Nutt wanted to precautionary; Arky fans displeased), Kentucky stormed back with 3 straight scores.
The Auburn game was 6-0 Auburn with 10 minutes left. It was unfortunate that as soon as Arkansas scored to make it 7-6, it was just enough time for Auburn to drive down the field and kick a FG to win it.
You bring up good points, but being around Arkansas fans I believe that they seem to not give Nutt enough credit when he wins to equal out the criticism when he loses. Even when he was in the 06 SEC Championship game, everyone was sick of him. Something would happen wrong in the game and I'd hear a Hog fan "Come on Nutt". It was never "Come on ______ (the player that messed up)".
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Hog Fan 11 months ago
The first rule of management is, "It's always my fault". I manage a retail store here in AR. If one of my employees screws up, who do you think my regional manager is coming after?
I realize Nutt couldn't go out on the field and catch the punt that Reggie Fish dropped. But Nutt admitted at the end of the game that Fish had not been properly taught what to do in that situation. Nutt then threw his special teams coach under the bus and blamed him for that play. How is that good management?
Like I stated in my original comment, I give Nutt credit for restoring a level of respectability back to our football program. But I don't believe he'll be able to reciprocate that success in Oxford. The Western division of the SEC is much tougher now than it was when Nutt came to AR. Auburn was down, Bama wasn't anything to fear....even LSU sucked the high wind.
That's not the case now. LSU is at the highest level of D1 football. Auburn is favored to win the West this year. Saban (the guy who is responsible for LSU's arrival to the top) is at Bama. Even Croom is showing signs of turning things around in Starkville. Like him, love him or hate him, Bobby Petrino will make AR a player on the national scene whether you want to admit it or not.
I just don't see how Nutt will be able to do for your program what he did for ours. With Florida as your main-stay Eastern division opponent (a program against which Nutt boasts an 0-3 record) I just don't see things working out for you.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Hog, Vanderbilt is our main-stay East Opponent, just to clarify that.
As all previews, it always doesn't pan out exactly like you expect it, whether that's a positive or negative. I expect him to be able to make our program mediocrity, I mean it's always been that way before 2003 (occasional 7-8 win seasons, occasional down year). That's basically what he did at Arkansas (With the exception of a couple great years, first year; 06). I don't expect making us mediocre again to be THAT hard of an obstacle.
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Randy Jefferson 11 months ago
Hey Hog, do you really have to use comments like, "Oxfart" and "Ole Myth"? You certainly have a right to your opinions, but Derek wrote a thoughful and well-researched blog. A message board is a fun place to make your arguments and tell us what you think of the situation, but using rediculous trash talk nicknames makes your credibility go down the drain.
Why don't you do us all a favor and keep it civil on here. You make some interesting and good points, so don't cheapen them with goofy little comments. Ole Miss and Arkansas have a very long and storied rivalry, but that doesn't mean you have to insult us. I think Arkansas is fun to watch and I admire your many unique traditions, so let's keep it civil shall we?
Thanks!
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Piggy Back 11 months ago
Man, you Ole Myth fans sure do live in an alternate reality.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Thanks for commenting, Piggy.
I'm just going to go out on a limb and say you are a "Hawg" fan by the name Piggy.
Okay.
So, in response to the "alternate reality" concept, let's try and be like Donald, let's go into a little bit more detail than a remark. Why do you believe Ole Miss fans, as you say it, are living in an "alternate reality"?
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Chase Dunagan 11 months ago
Texas fan here. I'm really pumped to watch Ole Miss play this year, cause I wanna see Jevan Snead succeed. He's a good QB who never really got a fair shot to unseat Colt McCoy. (unfortunately).
Good Luck Ole Miss. See yall in a couple of years!
Hook'em
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Chase, thanks for coming by.
Yeah, I believe Mack Brown should've given Snead a better shot, as I saw a huge negative reaction from the Texas faithful when Snead transferred.
Colt McCoy has done a pretty good job though.
Snead will definitely upgrade our QB position, though.
Good luck to Texas.
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Piggy Back 11 months ago
The alternate reality is that you guys think that Nutt is something special because we beat the tar of you guys for so long. Ole Miss has been terrible ever since Eli left so it isn't that big of a deal to beat you guys. Nutt beating Ole Miss is like a rooster taking credit for the sunrise.
I echo what Hog has said. I will always be grateful for Nutt, in one respect, because he stepped into a program that wasn't having success and made us a legitimate player in the SEC. On the other hand, Nutt damaged our program in the worst way possible. By playing the role of victim, blaming the fans, and hiding behind Broyles', Arkansas fans have been painted as villians. Nutt continues to call our radio stations and do statewide ARKANSAS radio "interviews" in which he continues to bash Razorback fans and play the roll of the backstabbed victim.
It will be interesting to see how he does in Oxford. To say that the team will be improved means nothing considering how pathetically awful football has been in Oxford. I think Ole Miss football will be better under Nutt, but if he can't win an SEC Championship in a state where the Razorbacks are the only show in town, how can he win in a state where his school is the third best football show in town?
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Even in our bad years, Piggy, our attendance has still been better than Mississippi State and Southern Miss (sometimes better COMBINED). That takes care of the "best football show in town". Maybe our stadium is bigger, but State or Southern still can't fill theirs up so that takes away that theory. In our bad years, we still have more attendance than on State's good years (and Southern if you want to even try to put the Buzzards in this conversation).
I'm not trying to homer it up, but he just signed a 5 star RB in Enrique Davis that he believes is a young McFadden (6'0 210lbs, 4.35 40). Not saying he is because we've had bad luck with prized recruits (Schaeffer), but it looks as though we're about to turn the corner and this isn't going to be a "rebuilding" time some people think it is for Ole Miss Football.
Your right though, we haven't been successful since 2003, look further back than that, and you won't ever see a four year stretch than what we just endured.
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Donald Fincher 11 months ago
Derek,
Please understand that Arkansas fans/residents know more about this situation than people outside of the state. And I likewise concede you would know more about Ole Miss and what went on behind the scenes than we would. So, as I and others on the board have told you, Nutt was fired and his decade of loyalty bought him the allowance of being able to "save face."
Having said that, I'm going to tell you something that I heard (but you many know better than me) that was one of the reasons that Ole Miss hired Nutt and I believe they will be rewarded for it. Arkansas was 9-0-1 (back when ties were not broken in overtime) during Nutt's tenure against Miss. State. Nutt knew better than to ever lose to them (something you won't see Saban doing again either). And Ole Miss expects the same performance from Nutt while he is in Oxford. It's hard enough to recruit against the rest of the SEC but when you are having to share your in-state recruits, that makes it tougher. Ole Miss needs to own Mississippi recruiting if they are to ever really regain their footing other than having that occasional good year. Part of that starts with owning the Egg Bowl which is something they just haven't done recently.
This sounds logical and reasonable to me. I believe that if Ole Miss can reliably win their 4 non-conference games, beat Miss. State, and get a win against either Vandy, Kentucky, or maybe South Carolina on the SEC East side of the bracket, they will win 6 games. The problem will be trying to get that 7th or 8th win to make it to a decent bowl besides that one in Shreveport that shouldn't even exist. The reason I say that is that even though it can be said that Ole Miss has upgraded with Nutt, Les Miles chose to stay at LSU, Tuberville is always tough, Alabama upgraded last year with Saban, and Arkansas upgraded this year with Petrino. In other words, Ole Miss is still behind in the SEC "arms race."
But the nice thing about having Nutt on your sideline will be that typically, because he plays a run-oriented, ball control type of style, the games are usually close. Also, drama tends to find and follow this man be it during games and during the off-season. Therefore, even if it's in a soap opera type of way, things should not be boring in Oxford while he's there. I'm not necessarily saying that's a good thing because I don't believe it is. I certainly would have liked less drama here. Mitch Mustain would probably be starting this year for Arkansas rather than sitting the bench at USC and Gus Malzahn would have probably not left if not for Nutt's selfishness and drama. But Ole Miss fans will have things to talk about, that's for sure. If nothing else, even that stuff puts you back on the radar.
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Donald Fincher 11 months ago
I'm sorry. I was wrong about Nutt never losing to Miss. State. He lost once. But the premise still stands. If he could do that for 10 years in Oxford, Ole Miss will own the Egg Bowl.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
While I disagree with some of your statements, I do agree with a pretty good bit.
I understand Ole Miss is going to lose close games, but I also know that we're going to win some close ones too. The difference seems to be that Ole Miss fans usually just try to remember the close wins. It seemed as though most Arkansas fans chose to just remember the close losses.
Mitch Mustain is a different topic, one that could take days to discuss lol. I do respect your opinions though, Donald, and agree that Arkansas fans know more inside scoop about the situation than what I know. Again, thanks for dropping by.
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Jared Martin 11 months ago
If I can chime in, I'm not sold on what Nutt can do. I doubt he'll be the guy who brings in a national championship (or even an SEC championship), but he's still a good coach. The Orgeron-era so damaged our credibility that posters like Piggy, ignorant of the fact that neither OM or Ark were always as they are now, are indicative of a great portion of the general public.
A decade of 6-8 win seasons (occasionally a breakout 9 or greater, if lucky), while not stunning, would be enough to bring OM back into respectability. If Nutt can't break that barrier, OM will simply have to move on. Hopefully we'll do it with a bit more tact, but with a decade of credibility it would be much easier to attract a coach who could break that barrier.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Thanks for coming by, Jared.
I think that medicority will keep Nutt here for ten years and he can go out respectably.
My personal opinion would have him as to step in as Athletic Director when he retires and have offensive coordinator and former OM QB Kent Austin come in as coach. Just my opinion though.
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Donald Fincher 11 months ago
Derek,
You are on the right track. That what was supposed to happen at Arkansas but the fans turned on Nutt before Broyles had stepped down to clear the spot. By the time Broyles did announce his retirement, the fans would have not tolerated Nutt as the AD. But truly, he is a good gladhander and a great chearleader. He is actually better suited in the AD role than on the sidelines. And Khayat (or is it Boone?) is getting on up there so won't be around forever.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Pete Boone is the AD.
I'd also go out on a limb and say if Nutt can get us mediocre seasons, Boone will be very encouraged to retire to give the position to Nutt.
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Stan Woods 11 months ago
That just shows that he is not a real coach. He will only coaches were he will get the credit instead
of the real reason THE PLAYERS !
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Stan, thanks for dropping by.
I think it's any coach's dream to come into a situation with talent. That's exactly what Nutt did. He'll probably get a lot more credit than necessary, but if he can coach these guys to a bowl game in his first season, he deserves a pretty good bit of credit.
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Donald Fincher 11 months ago
Derek,
This article has spurred interest and unusually civil debate. Therefore, I just made you my pick of the day.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Thanks, Donald.
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Stan Woods 11 months ago
To be a real coach you must put the team first. Nomatter the out come. Use all your players were it counts. Not to use the m to your advantage.
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Stan Woods 11 months ago
Ther is a running game and believe it or not aslo this thing called th passing game...
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Well, Stan, I know you can admit that if you're working with two future first round RBs, you're going to use those to your strengths. Matt Jones used to pass the ball around, and Nutt mentioned that the QB in his early years at Arkansas set records for passing.
People just seem to remember what Nutt has done lately, which points to the McFadden era. Ole Miss has a QB he can use, Texas Transfer Jevan Snead.
I still don't understand where you're coming from. Nutt is going to put the team first, he can't help that people give him credit.
What's wrong with using players to your advantage? He used McFadden and Jones to his advantage and went to the SEC Championship game with them.
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Stan Woods 11 months ago
I just dont under stand why everyone think Nutt is so great. As long as he had good players he stays. Now its time for him to show what he can do as a coach he leaves.That doesnt seem like a coach its someone who doesnt know hows to coach.What Americans call football, for those who really love the GAME.
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Jason B 11 months ago
"As we have seen, Houston Nutt can coach under pressure in big games: see LSU vs. Arkansas 2007."
And kentucky in 07
and Auburn in 07
and Bama in 07
and Tennessee in 07
and LSU in 06
and the SECCG in 06
and Wisconsin in 06
and Vandy in 05 (yes vandy)
and South Carolina in 05
and Bama in 05
and Georgia (pick any year he's faced them)
You see, if you could define a career by a handful of games (LSU 07, Tex 03, etc), he's a legend. The trouble is, there are at least 12 games each year to play. For every signature win he'll get you, get ready for 2-3 "we were that close" losses. Just wait til next year!
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
You bring up good points, Jason, but as I've stated before, some of those games Arkansas wasn't supposed to be in the first place (losing to Alabama 31-17 to start the fourth quarter). We'll see how everything pans out in December and look at it then.
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Stan Woods 11 months ago
Were are the SEC titles, National champions. He recieved two coach of the yer titlles. What does that mean if you cant win National Chanpionship (team).
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Stan Woods 11 months ago
Its the coaches job to get his players to the top. The mention of the past great players doesn't meen anything. If he is so great were are the TITLES. He had the players but nothing to show for it.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
I'm not referring to national championships in my article, Stan, I'm referring to getting back to winning seasons, which Nutt has been proven to do so with Arkansas.
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clay mills 11 months ago
Look with possibly the best 2 running backs ever to play at arkansas ol nutt was only able to muster 1 offensive touchdown in 3 of our conference games last year. kentucky, auburn, and tenn.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Clay thanks for chiming in.
In the Kentucky game, McFadden scored on a TD and Felix Jones scored on a special teams kickoff return. That's offensive right? So there's two.
In the Auburn game, Casey Dick threw a TD to Lucas Miller for a TD. Okay there's 3.
In the Tennessee game, Michael Smith scored a TD from 9 yards out. There's 4.
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Stan Woods 11 months ago
Doesnt the players deserve a little more than a .500 season. Rember isnt that why he took the job so he could do that.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
A .500 season after 4 straight losing seasons will be fine with the Ole Miss fans, Clay.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
A .500 season after 4 straight losing seasons will be fine with the Ole Miss fans, Stan.**
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clay mills 11 months ago
look with possibly the best 2 running backs ever to play at arkansas ol nutt was only able to muster 1 offensive touchdown in 3 of our conference games tenn, kent, and auburn
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Ahh, looking over the comment again, I see you are saying 1 offensive touchdown per game.
Yes, you are correct, besides the Felix Jones kickoff return in the Kentucky game which made 2 TD's.
I believe during the Kentucky game D-Mac wasn't 100%, since Nutt sat him out, and may have not been during the Auburn game. Not sure on that one.
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clay mills 11 months ago
No Derek I meant 1 per game, surely with those 2 you can muster more than 1 a game, and i'm sorry last i looked special teams (especially kick returns) is not part of the offense
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Special teams is not part of the offense, but it was still a TD by one of the guys you mentioned.
You bring a good point, clay, but when you revolve your gameplan around two guys, some teams can strategize against that and in my opinion, Nutt didn't have anybody else to rely on (Casey Dick? Nah).
Also, the above teams you mentioned were all good football teams last season.
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Stan Woods 11 months ago
Im not talking about the one player he had. He didnt use the talent he had on the TEAM. You cant say honestly, he used (all) the teams talent.
I dont think that some of you dont understand what Im saying. When you talk about this we are talking about the U of A not Nutt.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Okay, name me some of the talent he did not use. First of all, the offense runs through the QB. QB play has been a concern for Arkansas over the past years. Marcus Monk was good but you can't get him the ball unless you have a good QB. Honestly, I don't know many other players besides the incoming Michael Smith and when you have McFadden and Jones, you don't have to use Smith much at all.
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Kurt D. 11 months ago
Yep, Houston Nutt is going to make the Ole Myth faithful forget all about Johnny Vaught. He's just that dang good!
You said, "Ole Miss has a head coach that they believe is a mix between a great recruiter and great gameday coach." Do you really believe Houston Nutt is a great recruiter also? Here's a look at his last five recruiting classes (according to Scout.com) at Arkansas:
2003 - 23rd
2004 - 27th
2005 - 32nd
2006 - 30th
2007 - 34th
The trend seemed to be moving downward.
In 2008, his Ole Myth recruiting class (again, according to Scout.com) was ranked 38th; and that was with 31 players signed, at least six of which will not make it to campus. Granted, he only had 2-1/2 months to recruit, but he had a hard time even holding on the the commitments Ed Orgeron accumulated.
And to top it all off, he only has five commitments for 2009 so far; all three-star commits with an average ranking of around 60.
Face it Derek, Ole Myth headed for many more years of mediocrity under Nutt...
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Kurt, thanks for commenting.
That would be Scout.com's ratings, which when you look down the line happen to be more faulty than the Rivals.com rankings, which happen to be more respected. Also, Scout.com doesn't include rankings for prep or JUCO recruits, I believe, which would take out 5 star Patrick Trahan and 4 star Enrique Davis of the equation.
His recruiting classes according to Rivals.com average out over the past 3-4 years to be 25.5 ranked.
I'm pretty sure Ole Miss will take an average of 25.5 if recruiting=your final rank.
Again, it all goes back to what service you trust best, my trusted service is Rivals.
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Nelson McGough 11 months ago
This is Rival's Mississippi top 25 for 2009, it's still very early but Croom seems to be off to a much better start with 8 verbal commits (6 in the top 10), while Nutt has 3 (0 in top 10).
http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?ra_key=2200&Year=2009
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Nelson, you're right, Mississippi State is off to a hot start.
I just heard today they got Pat Patterson, a huge pickup.
Houston Nutt signed over 25-28 recruits to his recruiting class in a matter of months after coming in as coach. His strategy is to play it slow again and really break it down in terms of needs. It may come back and bite him, who knows? Ole Miss should get a good bit of big recruits when their camp is scheduled, July 26th.
However, even if that does occur, if MSU and Croom can hang on to their recruits they have now, they have my respect. They've done a superb job thus far.
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Stan Woods 11 months ago
You had a good QB at the start of the season.
RB Jones wasnt used to his best all around talent.
FB Hillis why wasnt he used more.
Its not Monks job to do Nutts job.
Felix Jones will prove what a player he is and always was.
There are two parts of a game as Ive said before, (Running and Passing).
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Alright, so you're saying that Felix Jones wasn't used enough.
He still had 1,162 rushing yards and 11 TD's. Almost one TD per game. That's being used pretty well.
Peyton Hillis had 347 rushing yards, that's pretty good for a fullback, and he was a specialist blocker.
It's also not Nutt's duties to fulfill Casey Dick's job. You can only get the ball to Monk 16 times in a year as a QB in 262 attempts? He's 6'6, just lob the ball up or something.
With the offense struggling, David Lee and Houston Nutt did what they thought was best, they went with the Wildcat offense because it uses their strengths (Felix Jones and McFadden).
The passing game just wasn't working with Casey Dick under center.
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Stan Woods 11 months ago
Since UofA left the what used to be the SWC they havent been nearly as good as they used to be.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Yes, but back in the day, the SWC wasn't as competitive as the SEC is today.
You had Arkansas and Texas as the perennial powers of the Southwestern Conference, along with Texas A&M.
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Joe Taylor 11 months ago
As a life-long Razorback, I am not going to bash Houston Nutt. It's too easy, and quiet frankly, I'm bored with it.
That said, Houston Nutt will indeed make Ole Miss better. If Ole Miss desires 7-5 or 8-4 seasons, then Houston is the man for the job. He will accomplish that for you.
Ole Miss has always struck me as a team that is "just happy to be there". Match that with a coach that is "just good enough to lose", and you have formula for mediocrity.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Just happy to be there would describe our football program at the time.
Trust me, playing LSU in 2003 for the SEC West overall title, Ole Miss Rebel fans were not "just happy to be there". Ole Miss wanted to win and go to the SEC Championships, they were 3 points away.
That was kind of the turning point for both programs, LSU was an average 7-8-9 win team before, but now after that they went on to win the SEC Championship and the National Title along the way to being a powerhouse the past five years.
Ole Miss lost it's chance and had a 4-7 season the next season and the last 3 years have been disasters.
That game has a lot more meaning now, and trust me, I believe that the expectations will rise if Nutt continues to improve the program.
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Stan Woods 11 months ago
No what im saying use your players equal. Felix proved his self and was used less.
D'mac is going to do it himself now, then we will see how really good he is.
WHERE IS MUSTANG he was agood QB.
Hillis was alot better than he was used either running,blocker and reciever.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Mustain is now a USC Trojan, transferred. He was a good QB, but in my opinion a little overhyped as a freshman. People expected a lot out of him as a freshman, and he wasn't able to deliever sometimes (even though people bring up the 8-0 starting) but they forget to look at the stats:
52.3 comp pct. (average) (10TD's, 9INT)
That's not a QB that leads a team into the SEC Championship game.
D-Mac brought back the Wildcat offense on his own, there's no denying how good the guy was. Jones was good too, but D-Mac was the better player.
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Stan Woods 11 months ago
Thats why a coch is to work with a fresnman to show his faults not run him off.
D'Mac wasn't as good unless it wasn't for Jones & Hillis blocking and their talents.
I'm sorry in my opinoin Nutt isn't as good, as people think he is.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
I beg to differ about D-Mac, just from watching him in person compared to Felix Jones. And to be honest, Arkansas fans have admitted that the blocking wasn't that good, and still D-Mac was able to go over 1800 yards last season. It's the intangibles that made D-Mac so good.
But you're entitled to your opinion about Nutt, hopefully he can prove you wrong in a couple years at Ole Miss.
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clay mills 11 months ago
You talk about not being able to rely on Casey Dick, you are right, you can't count on any of the quaterbacks Houston recruited then coached while 10 years at Arkansas, he never, not one time developed a QB
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
What about the guy, not sure of his name, who has multiple passing records at QB for Arkansas, who was coached by Houston Nutt?
I can see where you're coming from, but Mustain was a work in progress. He couldn't come in as a freshman and be an all-star from the get-go, and being around plenty of Arkansas fans that's exactly what they expected. If Mustain would've stayed, maybe, maybe Nutt would've developed him.
As many QB's go, some just don't pan out. I'd say Casey Dick is as good as he'll ever be. Robert Johnson was more of a receiver than a quarterback. Matt Jones was a pretty decent QB, although he played an unorthodox style of play.
Nutt doesn't need to develop a QB, in my opinon currently, I think Jevan Snead's already developed and ready to compete in the SEC.
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Stan Woods 11 months ago
It s great we all can have our on thoughts. Agree & disagree but its the fans who should get alot thanks and praise. Thank all of you for talking with me goodbye!!!
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clay mills 11 months ago
your talking about clint sternoer who houston inherited. i imagine there will be 3 qbs (who HDN recruited) who we can look back and say "wow when he got some coaching he was pretty good. Tavarius Jackson, Mitch Mustain and yes, even Casey Dick will surprise people this year under a real coach
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Yo Yo Ma 11 months ago
Let's see...Houston Nutt or Bobby Petrino. I think Arkansas is better off, and I would guess that any ole miss fan would drop Nutt tomorrow if Petrino would go to Oxford.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Yoyo.
I guess as far as success goes Petrino is the most successful coach, but what coach do you think is going to last longer at each school? I think Nutt stays at Ole Miss long after Petrino has left Arkansas.
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Yo Yo Ma 11 months ago
Derek, that's why Ole Miss will stay at the bottom of the SEC.
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Big Deal 11 months ago
Coach Nutt left Arkansas because of a few vocal fans. Those same fans are still obsessed over him. Jealousy ? Probably. Nonetheless, I 'm glad he is at Ole Miss where real fans will appreciate him.
Go Rebs! Kick Arkansas !
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clay mills 11 months ago
why would anyone leave the school he went to, and the school he grew up loving for a "few" vocal fans, that is pretty thin skinned
He was fired
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Mark Tapley 11 months ago
Derek,
How would Ole Miss fans like it if A family friend of the Nutt family sent an email to Jevan Snead and the email was titled "Mr Interception King"? Then the email went on to berate an 18 year old athlete and at the end of each paragragh it said "have I mentioned I want you to transfer?" It was rather classless and led to the eventual transfer of one Mitch Mustain. I suggest that you do a little research, it is not hard to find copies of the email. The handling of that situation and the events surrounding that situation (cover up) led to Nutts downfall more than anything.
Fans were also not very happy about 2,000 text messages to a certain Donna Bragg over teh course of a 2 month period, one of teh text messages was sent just minutes before the Capital One Bowl game that Ark. lost. Did Nutt have nothing more important to do just minutes before one of the most important bowl games that Ark had been to in years?
Clint Stoener was a carry-over from danny Ford, Tarvarius Jackson transferred to Alabama st. or something like that and then went on to be drafted and is the current starter for the Vikings. Jackson just wasn't good enough to play for Nutt.
The talent is depleted because the recruits were onto Nutts game and did not want to come to Ark and play for a used car salesman.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Thanks for coming by, Mark.
I've heard all of the rumors, but nothing has been stated fact.
Was it Arkansas's fans duty to break into his cell phone account to see who he has been texting, if true? What if they had found nothing at all? I personally believe there were some (keyword some) fans just out to get Nutt fired at all costs.
Does starting 0-3 in the SEC justify a plane going over the stadium saying "Ain't Nuttin Better than 0-3 in the SEC!". Those are some things to ponder.
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Cary Carter 11 months ago
This has to be the worst "blog" I have ever read.
You say Houston doesn't need a QB to win in the SEC? Maybe thats why he is 4 games over .500 in the SEC after 10 years at Arkansas.
The only true QB HDN ever had was true freshman Mitch Mustain. Who I might add led Arkansas to an 8-0 record as a starter, but was benched after throwing a pick at South Carolina. And say all you want about McFadden and Jones carrying that team....because the "Wildcat", and anything good that happened that year was based on the genius offensive mind off Gus Malzahn. That spring ole egotistical Nutty couldn't take riding the backseat anymore, and pretty much drove out Mustain and Malzahn.
Jevan Snead already SEC ready? Give me a break...he couldn't even beat out Colt McCoy at Texas, so how is he going to lead a bottom feeding SEC team?
Have fun with your dead beat coach OM fans, with the whole 3-9 (0-8) team back from last year you should easily go 5-7 (2-6), the only trophy OM will be playing for is the Egg Bowl, in which they will lose.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Thanks for chiming in, Cary.
Wow. Harsh words man. 4 games over .500 in the nation's tough conference isn't spectular, but is obviously an accomplishment. Having to face Auburn, Alabama, LSU and others year in and year out.
Say what you want to about the 8-0 stuff, but I witnessed it all. He was an average QB with a team who had a defense that won them a lot of games. He threw for 10 TD'S and 9 INTs. And if we're getting into "quarterback competition" in which you pointed out with Snead to McCoy, how is Mustain not starting at USC this upcoming year?
Malzahn is a great offensive coach, I will give you that.
Jevan Snead is SEC ready, as Joe Schad from ESPN.com reports "Jevan Snead has one of the top 5 arms in college football". Colt McCoy has turned out to be a really good QB, it isn't like Snead was competing with Casey Dick for a starting position as a freshman (Mustain reference there for ya :).)
Again, thanks for wishing us fun, but however I beg to differ will go 5-7 and 2-6 in the SEC next season.
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Cary Carter 11 months ago
Derek,
when will the reality set in that you're argument is this.....
every QB it seems that HDN has coached, has had "below average" numbers, correct?
After 10 years of coaching in the SEC and every QB you have is putting out "below average" numbers, does that speak measures for the players or the coach?
If you answer players....then obviously HDN cannot recruit his way out of a sandbox filled with catsh!t.
If the players themselves are "below average" then ole Hooty sure does miss on recruiting good QB's...
I'll say this, the best passing QB Nutt ever had was the inherited Clint Stoerner.
Every year after that, the passing game fell off and the rushing came shot up. Snead is the best QB OM will have during the IMO short lived Nutt era. The predictability of Nutt is already there for SEC teams to feast on.
All homerism set aside, doesn't the OM-Nutt beginning seem oddly similiar to the Arkansas-Nutt beginning?
2 teams who have been underachieving greatly the years leading up to his arrival, and HDN saves the day! His welcome will be worn out after a few of the famously coached, Nuttball games. Wait til you see how many 3 and outs the OM offense goes through. Granted, if HDN gets his offense rolling...."a rarity" it is pretty damn hard to stop.
But the predictability of a run-heavy coach in the SEC this age, isn't going to win football games.
And Mustain is far from mediocre, whos to say Sanchez is a stud QB? From what I've seen Mustain has proven himself wayyyyyyyy more than Sanchez, but it's Pete Carroll's call, not ours.
And just what has Jevan Snead done to make you think he is SEC ready? Sounds to me like your money is laid down on his potential, because no play on the field has said otherwise.
"Snead completed 26 of 49 passing attempts, for a total of 371 passing yards. He has also thrown two touchdown passes and one interception."
Sounds like Mustains 69 of 132 for 894 and 10 TD's with an 8-0 record has proven just a litttttttttttttttle bit more than Snead.
All of this Snead talk is based off what......exactly. "Potential"
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Cary, you forgot include the 9 Interceptions Mustain threw as well, and the fact that Snead didn't get as many opportunities as Mustain did. He was competing with Casey Dick; Snead was competing with Colt McCoy, of course Mustain is going to get more PT.
Is Snead going to be an elite SEC QB? No one knows, but we do know this:
He'll be the best QB we've had since Eli, which isn't asking too much. Also, a Texas commenter tuned in that he didn't think Snead got a fair shot at the QB job. Just as with Mustain at USC, that's Mack Brown's call. Who knows.
As you can see, I've had this discussion with fans all day. There are reasons why Nutt hired former Ole Miss QB Kent Austin (Who I might add won the Canadian Football League Grey Cup as a head coach, equivilent to the NFL Super Bowl, last year). Ole Miss is going to have a very balanced offense, but obviously our opinions differ on the subject of that and just about everything else.
Good luck to Arky this football season. As an Ole Miss fan with a best friend that is an Arkansas fan, I can't wait until October 25th, either way it'll be fun.
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Cary Carter 11 months ago
Derek,
HDN and OC's are like snow and summer.
HDN ran off one of the best OC's in the nation, Malzahn.
So why would he keep Austin?
He didn't let Malzahn have full control over the offense...as originally promised.
So why would he let Austin call the plays?
I won't disagree that Snead is the best since Eli, which isn't hard considering the QB's of the past 4 years.....
I respect your opinion, but after 10 years of following Arkansas football...HDN is a little bit more than an opinion from most Hog fans.
The man is a moron, I respect your optimism about the future of OM football, and I will be the first to tell you, HDN is good for a 7 win season. About it.
OM would take 7 wins in a blink, but after all the Nutt antics run dry and the excitement of a new era is over.....OM fans will finally realize, thats all I can say.
And if Nutt has completely changed, and is really going to let the OC have the offense...then hats off. But I take the mans' lies with a grain of salt. Heard to many lies over this 10 year hell spell to change any view of mine towards HDN.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
I respect your opinion, Cary, and respectably disagree.
We wouldn'tve made Kent Austin one of the highest paid assistants in the SEC if he wasn't to contribute heavily to the offense.
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Dogfish McGill 11 months ago
I hope you gentlemen don't mind me bookmarking your site for future 'reference'?
:Maniacal laughter:
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Thanks for stopping by, Dogfish.
Oh I don't mind if you bookmark, please do. Also, be sure to come back if your feelings weren't exactly what they thought they'd be after next season.
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Ty James 11 months ago
HAHAHAHA the used car salesman at his best! OM and HDN are perfect for each other! I could care less how Houston left. All I know now is that we have BP, who is light-years ahead of Houston. HB draw, get used to it.
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Cary Carter 11 months ago
Also Derek,
HDN was 13-12 in SEC play with McFadden, Jones, Hillis and Monk.
Face it, OM will never have a foursome CLOSE to this. The odds of OM even landing 1 player of McFadden or Jones' caliber is slim.
What happens then?
The Nutt offense is a joke, I would sit in the stands and seriously, all joking aside.....be able to call what play he is about to run.
HDN lack of coaching ability alone cost Arkansas W's this past year against Bama and UK.
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Mark Tapley 11 months ago
The cell phone account was not broken into. The cell phone was provided by the University and paid with tax-payers money therefore tax-payers have a right to know how their money is being spent. A certain individual sent a Freedom of Information request to the University asking for the info and the University provided it as per teh request.
As for the rumors are concerned, it is that same attitude by a powerful group of Razorback supporters tha kept Nutt in place for 10 years. Once the FACTS became overwhelming, the group dwindle to only a couple an they could not save Nutt.
If you are going to write about something I feel you should be as informed as possible so I am providing a couple of links for you to research. After you have done some research, get back to me.
http://www2.arkansasonline.com/news/2007/nov/08/text-prewett-letters/
http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/181954/
Enjoy they are both educational and informing.
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Mark Tapley 11 months ago
Both of the above links provide FACTS into the events that you refer to as rumors. By the way, the writer of both of those articles, Wally Hall, and Teresa Prewitt, the author of the famous email, were once close personal friends.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Good sources, but this never came out in big time news, and may I ask why?
Also, why is it the right for the fans to know about a coach's personal life?
(Definitely not justifying his personal life if those are true)
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Charles Fricktard 11 months ago
What you are not counting on is Houston Nutt's double digit IQ and his massive ego. Houston Nutt has already said several times this year, that he will call all the plays.
I PROMISE YOU that if Houston Nutt stays at Ole Miss longer than one year, Kent Austin will leave by year two in a huff.
I know you don't believe us, but just wait. Houston Nutt is the biggest idiot in college football and he could frick up a wet dream. Hide and watch. It will unravel down there.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
We'll see Charles, Kent Austin said he wouldn'tve gotten back in the college game without a close friend, David Lee is the one who recommended him. Houston Nutt has play calling control, but Kent Austin has the offensive playbook for Nutt to choose from.
We obviously disagree on the subject and there's nothing that can sway either of our opinions.
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tendu imma 11 months ago
Comments of Ole Miss chancellor Robert Khayat after firing David Cutcliffe
"It's essential that the football program be competitive. It's not now-and-then competitive. It's every-year competitive," chancellor Robert Khayat said. "We expect our program to be outstanding, to be moving forward. We will not accept ... mediocrity."
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1936031
And look who they hired.
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Mark Tapley 11 months ago
You pay taxes, don't you feel you have a right to know where the money is being spent? If a senator goes to the Bahamas on tax-payers money don't you have a right to know? Sure you do! People would not be happy paying for a politician spending a weekend in the Bahamas on their dime, we are not talking about a business trip here, we are talking a pleasure trip.
This cell phone was provided by the University of Arkansas. The University of Arkansas is a state funded universtiy. The tax payers foot the bill. That includes cell phones provided by the university.
It is not right for the fans to know about his personal life if it were conducted on a personal cell phone but it wasn't. The cell phone was provided for him to conduct business with, university business. You know call other coaches, recruits etc. 2,000 text messages within a 2 month period to a certain female, raises red flags. He should have been smart enough to have used a personal phone for this.
Ole Miss has already taken exception to his high cell phone bill and he has only been there what 6 months? An article on this subject came out about 2 months back, maybe you guys should look into who he is calling.
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Mark Tapley 11 months ago
My bad, as a 19 year old college student you probably aren't paying taxes so maybe you don't understand.
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Dogfish McGill 11 months ago
Derek,
I love ya man, but the truth is that nutt is the hands down worst coach in the sec west. Sorry, but there's very little doubt about it. Saban, Miles, Tubby, Petrino, Croom, and Nutt.
Sure, he'll do better than O, but I don't think that tiny bit of improvement is going to satisfy you guys for long, no matter how much you say you just want to get back to mediocrity.
Once houston gets you back to 5th place Derek, you'll want more. And that is when you'll be sorely disappointed.
Because at the SEC level, mediocre is all houston dale nutt has got.
We'll be sympathetic when the time comes.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Dogfish, I understand why you would think that.
Medicority is the starting point for Ole Miss, and I think he has the ABILITY to get us over mediocrity.
Who ever thought Croom would win 8 games last season? I know after watching their 45-0 slaughtering by LSU, I didn't think they would. Anything is possible, and I don't agree that Nutt is the worst coach in the SEC. We'll just have to see on down the line.
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Dogfish McGill 11 months ago
Derek,
Saban/Miles, Tubby/Petrino, Croom/nutt. Can you see the logical order here?
You fired Cutt, and you're right back in the same situation with nutt.
This really isn't going to end well for you guys.
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Mike White 11 months ago
Derek,
It is rare in life, business, etc. that both sides of a deal are win-win. I truly believe this may be one of those win-win deals, I am glad that Nutt is gone and you are glad that he is your new head coach. I do not care to debate whether he was fired or quit (I know the truth), I don't care to debate who is the better coach Nutt or Petrino (I think they both have their strengths and weaknesses) I am just glad that this turned out to be a win-win situation for both schools. I am taking my position based on first hand experience, you are taking your position based on something you have heard or read. It amazes me how someone like you can truly write an article such as you did when you obviously have no inside knowledge. I wouldn't even care if Ole Miss came to Fayetteville and beat us... I am just glad that it turned out to be a win-win deal. Good Luck,
Go Hogs
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Mike, thanks for dropping by.
I totally understand and agree of where you're coming from. This article is similar (without the homerism I showed in about three or four lines) is to what you would see in a media article. Media rarely has inside information either, which is probably why all the rumors never surfaced in big media.
I agree it was a win win, and I never said Petrino wasn't a good coach. If he sticks around, he'll be a force in the SEC West. It was time for Nutt to go.
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Scott Wood 11 months ago
As far as the "rumor" stories going national. Did you not see the huge spread in ESPN the Magazine about the whole drama? Guess not.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Thanks for the comment, Scott.
I was not aware of it being in ESPN the Magazine. I'll try and check that out.
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Maury Billingsley 11 months ago
all i know is that all of u haters are gonna be proven wrong once again though u put the basketball team at the bottom 2 years straight and they go 45-24 with a western title one year and a visit to the garden the next year but its ok we like it that way cause come season end ur the ones that look like morons while were movin on up and "NUTT"in will be any better than watchin houston walk off the field at arkansas with a big W and a huge grin on his face singin dixie then a quick HOTTY TODDY!!!!!!!! and no petrino will leave arkansas in maybe 2 years if ur lucky cause he's not a loyal coach if he doesnt win more than 7 or 8 this year he'll leave and do the hogs the same way he did the falcons so dogfish i dont think this is gonna end to well for the hogs so us REBELS will be fine id be more worried about the hogs HOTTY TODDY!!!!!!!!!!!
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Cary Carter 11 months ago
Hey Maury,
By reading your comment I can tell you're obviously from Miss.
Nothing but a big run on sentence and not a lick of information.
You say Petrino will not get more than 7-8 wins this year, do you realize that HDN is only good for 8 wins tops year in, year out?
And OM basketball team hasn't even made the NCAA tourney in how long? So yes....I say OM hoops is a bottom feeder also.
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Maury Billingsley 11 months ago
Yes, Cary i am from the great state of Mississippi. So yea i've heard all of the ignorant comments that anyone has to say about people from Mississippi being idiots. But you know what i subscibed to this thing and you know what else i believe that also gives me the right to talk how i want to. And if i want to write all my comments in one sentence i believe i will mainly because i dont have 24/7 to sit on this thing trying to cross my t's and dot my i's. Yea i have a life beside your little internet life. Also tell me wheres the longest place Petrino has stayed and please dont say Louisville because 4 or 5 seasons dont count. Another thing i hate to break it to ya but the Ole Miss basketball team is no where near the bottom of the feeder mainly because Andy Kennedy has used a bunch of low talent players to produce 45 wins and winning a school record of 24 games last year and making it all the way to the semifinals of the NIT. So the bottom of the feeder would be where your arkansas athletic department is heading in football, basketball, and where the baseball team is already at. And its UM not OM. So like i said ain't "NUTT"in gonna be better than beatin the hogs by atleast 3 or 4 tds. Derek your my boy keep the REBEL articles goin man.
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Rex Fadmacken 11 months ago
What a waste of time. Let these guys find out on their own about hooten. We'll just sit back and laugh at them.
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Jerry Garner 11 months ago
I am a transplanted Mississippian from Washington State. I know in Psyc. class we were taught putting down someone,and in this case the State of Mississipi as a whole or Ole Miss with name calling is indicative of a deep rooted lack of self esteem so with that in mind Arkansas fans continue to do your fine state proud.
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Donald Fincher 11 months ago
Derek,
You really stirred up a hornet's nest here. My dad used to tell me that if something happens a time or two, it's coincidence. But if it happens repeatedly, there's got to be something more to it. You can dismiss all of these people who are pretty much saying the same thing independently of each other or you can believe what you wish to believe.
The bottom line is that Nutt will win his non-conference games (as long as you don't schedule teams of USC caliber), he'll reliably beat Miss. State (which overperformed last year just to get to 4-4 in conference play and won't do it again), and he'll reliably beat Vandy (your perennial SEC East draw). That's at least 6-6. If you're lucky, he'll beat one other team in the West or a Kentucky or South Carolina type if they end up on your schedule. He's usually good for one upset per year and one letdown per year which cancel each other out.
You will be seeing a lot of 6 and 7 win seasons. I know that right now, Ole Miss fans would be happy with that but your fans are no different than anyone else's in that, once they get used to that level, they'll want more. The problem is that the other schools that they will have to take from to get more don't want to give it up. So they hire types like Meyer, Saban, Petrino, Miles, even Spurrier (a name that once carried much cache'). Once the Ole Miss fans tire of the antics and they want more than Nutt can deliver, Nutt will either become AD or quit/be fired. And there will be times where you will feel like you need a shower and ask yourself if the 6 wins were worth the cost of supporting someone with the pretend morals and undeserved ego of Houston Nutt.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Only time will tell, Donald. He hasn't caused a stir yet, so I'll hold my judgement, I don't know the guy personally, obviously what yall have said makes me look both ways at the situation, but I'm going to hold my judgement until it all plays out at Ole Miss.
I understand, the whole stories I've heard I've basically heard from my best friend who is a die-hard Hawg fan.
The tone of most Arkansas fans on this board think that I don't wish Arkansas success. Arkansas fans have one of the deepest, if not THE, deepest passion for their college football in the SEC. They have a united fanbase (which I wish I could say the same about my team) and I like the fact that they live in a state where there's only one real big D1 college, which allows for everyone to be into Hawg sports. It was time for Houston Nutt to move on and that's why he went (regardless of what happened behind the scenes). My point is: everyone's going to have their opinion, obviously over the day we've beat the subject to death and I didn't expect this big of a response which only shows how much Arkansas cares about their football.
I wish Arkansas success in the future, and I know that they will have it as long as Bobby Petrino is there. Ryan Mallett will soon (next year) be a star in the SEC
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Extra Point 11 months ago
Frank Broyles was FORCED to offer his resignation in February 2007. Anyone who knows and understands Arkansas sports knows Broyles was NEVER going to retire and was forced out. Chancellor John White hired new AD Jeff Long WITHOUT consulting Broyles which Broyles later admitted. By the time the 2007 football season was winding down, Frank Broyles had been completely neutered even though his official resignation date was 12/31/07. However, if Broyles was still in charge, why did Broyles not announce Petrino when he was hired? No, it was incoming AD Jeff Long and Chancellor White who were at that press conference on the stage, NOT Broyles. It is utterly LAUGHABLE Broyles had the authority to offer the janitor a raise, much less Houston Nutt. Further proof only part of the story is told here is leaving out the role of Jim Lindsey who arranged to get Nutt the $3MM+ as Nutt was being FORCED out the door. Nutt was forced out and Arkansas was willing to pay to get rid of his circus.
As for Nutt the coach, in the last 4 years, Nutt was 16-21 vs. BCS opponents with NO bowl wins. If you take out the 8-0 record against SEC West cellar dwellers Ole Miss and MS State, that amounts to an 8-21 record vs. BCS teams his last 4 seasons. In the NFL drafts following those four seasons, Arkansas had 6 first round draft picks with 19 players drafted overall. So if Nutt is a decent coach, why could he only manage 8 wins in 4 seasons over BCS teams outside of Ole Miss and MS State?
The bottom line is Nutt had a BELOW .500 record against BCS teams while at Arkansas. And he was winless against the best programs in the SEC during the last 10 years, Florida and Georgia. Arkansas fans could care less about a "beef" with Ole Miss fans. Yes, Arkansas fans WILL want to not only beat, but embarrass Nutt, but beating Ole Miss will not advance the Arkansas football program onto the national scene. Therefore, beating Florida, Georgia, LSU, Auburn, etc. is much more important in the big picture. Actually, having Nutt at Ole Miss is a good thing for Arkansas given he will likely have even less success there than he did in Fayetteville.
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Dana Caldwell 11 months ago
Derek,
Please link or post these "media" reports about an extension offer from Broyles to Nutt. Feel free to include the $2.4 million portion.
I covered seven -- including his last five seasons, home and road -- years of Nuttball and was pretty well connected to what was happening behind the scenes as his ouster was planned, even though I now write sports in Florida. I am one of the many "crazies" who used the FOIA (again, after I stopped covering the Hogs) to illustrate what sort of guy Nutt is and how much time he spent not recruiting and shopping for other jobs. Of course, there were other numbers of interest, but I won't go there here.
Man, don't ever call a program "we," unless, of course, you play for Ole Miss.
The run-ins with Nutt already have started with Boone. From moving expense and cellphone bills (priceless!) to Houston trying to get Dickey a gig. Now we have Houston praising Broyles on a Little Rock talkshow in a way that clearly disparages his new boss.
You are in for a wild, and as Nolan Richardson used to say, "rickety" ride. Like a pile of cars on the side of the interstate, I'll be watching with morbid curiosity.
Meanwhile, I finalize my plans to be at Petrino's first game. It will be very strange to see a professional sideline for the first time since Hatfield and I've always wondered what a non-sideline pass would look like for the home team in Razorback Stadium.
You really should not pontificate on something you clearly -- and even admittedly -- know nothing about.
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MagicUndies Razorbacktalk 11 months ago
Dana,
are we "gaining" an influx of woopiggers here?
u were not "pretty well connected" to anything other than having your mouth firmly planted around your own junk 24/7. u should lose your fascination. there is a difference between perspective, common sense and having a life of sorts and not having a clue. perhaps u could make a documentary of all your efforts. then again, perhaps you couldn't.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Hey Dana,
Sorry if I offended you, but my reports are straight from media sources. If I was to know the inside information, I wouldn't have many sources, obviously (since it's inside). By the way, Thought I would include the source. Scroll down where it details the contract extension and says 2.4 Million.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3128404
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Brock Reynolds 11 months ago
Derek,
I read the story that you linked. I don't have a link for you, but I can assure you it was full of inaccuracies. Nutt was not making $2M per year at Ark --- not even close. He received a $400K+ annual pay increase when he went to Ole Miss. And as others have pointed out several times already, the reports of a contract extension were a ruse perpetrated by Nutt, White, and Broyles to make both Houston and UA look good. In reality, Houston probably knew for 6 weeks he wouldn't be at Ark in 2008. Rumors were rampant for the last 3 or 4 weeks of his tenure that he would be the next coach at Baylor before you guys bailed him out. KATV out of Little Rock even reported on air that Houston wouldn't be back two weeks before the season was over. That, in itself, is contradictory to what Nutt and company claim -- that Nutt decided to resign 2 days after beating the #1 team in the country. All of this just casts serious doubt over the 'extension' story.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Brock, I believe when it said:
"The Rebels, who also are considering former Washington coach and current Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel for the job, apparently are prepared to pay Nutt as much as he was making at Arkansas, close to $2 million per season."
I think it mean't that Ole Miss was able to at least match what Arkansas was putting up: 1.2 million
(which Ole Miss gave him 1.4). Again, I don't know the "inside" sources, but over time, ESPN has been a pretty reliable source in sports news, not saying either is true.
I agree it might've been a cover up just to make everyone look good, but the source was still that he was offered an extension, as confirmed by the Chancellor and AD. May have been a cover up, but still on the outside looking in as article writers do (I don't see many article writers posting "inside info)", I believe it was the right thing to write, since it was confirmed with the chancellor and AD, even though they might've been covering up.
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r b 11 months ago
of course houston doesn't have a problem. but ol miss has. this isn't about who's 1st and who's 2nd in claiming nutt as their coach. the only reason nutt left arkansas is because the walls were crumbling down from being made of straw. he was about to reap what he'd sown the last several years, being the coward he is, he ran. i just wish he'd ran sooner. i have no hard feelings for ol miss, sure they're a rival. when we beat them it will be sweeter than before. but i wish houston nutt on no one. he'll win some he shouldn't have, but those wins will nowhere equal all he loses by putting his ego and lies in front of him. we've said it in arkansas for years, it's more true now, "thank God for mississippi!"
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Danny Hively 11 months ago
I believe everything you say. I am an always will be a Razorback fan, but will most certainly be rooting for the Rebels in every game but the Arkansas game. And I believe that is the way Houston would want it. He really did love the Hogs so much that all he ever wanted to do was unify the state. I have no doubts that he loves Ole Miss as well and will probably retire from there, but to me, he will always be a Razorback! Good luck Coach Nutt and go get-um !!!!
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CW2 nunya 11 months ago
Is your last name Nutt?
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Porka hontas 11 months ago
I didn't bother reading all these comments above mine, but has anyone figured out exactly WHY Arkansas is so "depleted" on talent? If Nutt was the head coach there the previous 3 or 4 years and the Hogs are "depleted" on talent, then isn't this obviously the fault of their head coach at the time?
Make no mistake about it, the offer for an extension was a front much like releasing Nutt from his "golden handcuffs." Nobody wanted this man back. Ole Miss fans will figure out why in the coming years. Sure, Nutt may win a little with what Orgeron recruited in, but as those players filter out, Nutt will be replacing them with 2 star diamonds in the rough who won't pan out, guys who won't qualify, and other head scratchers.
Prepare to be the bitch of Mississippi State and Southern Miss in the coming years, Reb fans. Col. Dale will lead you to the bottom of the SEC before it's all said and done. Get used to "smoke draw" on 3rd and long after a time out, applauding after incompletions past 15 yards, not using the TE for anything other than blocking, seeing "punt catchers" put back to field punts instead of threats, and being able to predict the plays before they're ran by simply looking at the formations and the personnel.
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Anthony Montgomery 11 months ago
Good post Derek.
Not one person can correctly predict how we will do this year. I'm excited for the season to say the least.
I applaud you for keeping it civil, while posters here have tried to get you into a flame war. Keep up the good work.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Thanks Anthony, and I also thank for you stopping by and reading.
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Anthony Montgomery 11 months ago
Good blog Derek.
Kudos to your for keeping it civil, it's evident that a lot of the responses are trying to drag you into a flame war.
It's the middle of July, we've got a new coach, a new system. I for one am willing to wait till the season to pass any judgment.
No, he may not gets us 10-11 win seasons. But I don't want that right now. I just want winning seasons again. I just want to go to bowls fairly regularly like we were when I was in grade-school. I just want Ole Miss to be competitive again, and I think HDN was the hire we needed.
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Matthew 11 months ago
Add another game with drama to the Ole Miss Schedule... There's Tommy "Pine Box" Tuberville at Auburn, LSU, Mississippi State, and now Houston Nutt having something to prove against Arkansas every year.
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Jake Tillotson 11 months ago
Here's something everyone needs to keep in mind:
The SEC has 12 teams, 11 of whom think they are, or can be, big-time football programs. The days of seeing SEC teams stock up on talent and breeze through the schedule unscathed are over. What's about to happen is it's going to get to a point where an 8 or 9 win season, and getting to a Jan. bowl game, a real one not the liberty bowl, is going to be considered a helluva year. People can poke fun and say that OM fans will be satisfied if Nutt reaches that level, but what they're doing is installing a fall-back excuse so that if OM does achieve that status, they can say "yep, that's all he did at Arkansas. We told 'ya." Like I said, that's about to become the status quo for a 'good' year, especially at a small school like OM.
I guess what I'm saying is be careful what you ask for. Hog nation pushed HN out the door. They hired a guy they feel will lead them to the promised land. Will he? Who knows? Petrino is an excellent coach who made his name beating up on teams in weak conferences. Ole Miss hired a coach with a record that shows he consistently kept up with the Jones' in the toughest conference in the world, at a school where, in my opinion, winning big is easier said than done. The OM faithful believe Nutt can replicate that success in Oxford. Will he? Who knows? The only thing for certain is we will find out soon enough.
Now, feel free to tell me I'm wrong and Nutt is a horrible coach...blah, blah, blah. See you in October...
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Cary Carter 11 months ago
The point of Petrino "wooping" up on inferior opponents in a weak conference is a weak argument.
Louisville wasn't exactly a football powerhouse before Petrino got there....
And Petrino has one thing HDN will never even touch. An Orange Bowl victory.
HDN 10 years of mediocrity and no BCS bowls with only 2 bowl wins.
Or Petrino, 4 years at Louisville, and a BCS win under his belt.
I know who I'm taking.
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Patrick Fields 11 months ago
Keep in mind he went 4-4 in the SEC with the best backfield in the storied history of the conference.
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Bob Hog 11 months ago
These pathetic Houston Nutt haters do not speak for all Arkansas fans.
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Tyler Jones 11 months ago
I believe Nutt was a good coach for Arkansas, and I hope he does well. Bottom line for me as a hog fan is ask anyone in the country who they'd rather have coaching their team, Nutt or Petrino, and they're going to answer Petrino. Glad we got the guy.
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Matthew 11 months ago
Will Petrino stick around in Arkansas? That is the question? Look out for better offers...
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Hogpuddin 11 months ago
Well, obviously to those of us in the know of what really happened in Fayetteville this writer has no idea of what the truth is as it pertains to Houston "leaving." No disrespect for Mr. Stephens, but the "inside" info (which is too much and too heartbreaking for me to rehash here as others have already hinted about it) really sheds some light on the character and reasons for Nutt's departure. Trust me when I say that Nutt's future at Arkansas was determined before the kickoff of the September 01, 2007 game against Troy.
Also, to ask the writer something: if Houston left Arkansas because the talent at Ole Miss was better, what's going to happen when his recruiting fails in a few years and Mississippi State, Auburn, or any school that will have him has better talent? Again I ask, what will Houston do then?
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Grit From Mena 11 months ago
So what you're trying to say is Houston Nutt broke his 5 year contract with Arkansas to sign with Mississippi and Arkansas decided to reward that by giving him 3.4 million dollars?
Wow, you are dumb.
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Grit From Mena 11 months ago
So what the author is saying is that Houston Nutt broke his 5 year contract with Arkansas to take a job at Ole Miss and to reward him for going to another SEC team and breaking his contract Arkansas gave him 3.4 million dollars? Is this really what you are trying to say?
Wow you're dumb.
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Grit From Mena 11 months ago
So what you're trying to say is that Houston Nutt broke his 5 year contract with Arkansas to go to Ole Miss and instead of having to pay a penalty because he violated his contract he was given 3.4 million dollars by Arkansas as a reward? Is this really what you're trying to say? You really truly believe Arkansas would let him out of his contract to go to another SEC school and then give him 3.4 million dollars? Really?
Wow you are dumb.
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Derek Stephens 11 months ago
Hey Grit,
Where does it say that Nutt is getting paid $3.4 million dollars by Arkansas to resign? Is that what you're saying? I'll look over some articles but I've never seen where Arkansas has paid Nutt to leave.
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Brock Reynolds 11 months ago
http://www.wholehogsports.com/nwat/60710
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/sports_article.asp?aID=100996.77003.113341&k=houston+nutt
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/sports_article.asp?aID=100971.87214.113316&k=houston+nutt
http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/209017
And here's one just to demonstrate what Ole Miss will get for their money...
http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/209542
Go ahead, read all of these links and write another happy-go-lucky article about Nutt the "punching bag."
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BEE Nice 11 months ago
Houston Nutt or Bobby Petrino....Hmmmmm...Who would you choose?.....BTW, Arkansas ran Nutt out of town.
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Brandon 11 months ago
Ole Miss fans think they have something great. But, you only need to read the first paragraph of this story to realize the truth. You say that Nutt chose Ole Miss over "talent depleted" Arkansas? One question, who's job is it to recruit and restore the talent? That's what I thought. Hope you guys enjoy seeing handoffs. And you may as well forget ever getting a big name quarterback recruit to come to your school. Seems no quarterback ever wanted to play for Nutt, made evident by the fact that Mallet (who is from Arkansas) didn't want to play for him, and came back the minute Nutt was gone. Granted, Mustain was a sissy, but you can't deny the talent.
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