September 13, 2005
Butch Davis remains mum on his future, Razorbacks
As the hot seat for Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt heated up after an embarrassing 28-24 loss to suddenly surging Vandy, Butch Davis' Touchdown Club speech in Little Rock seemed like perfect timing (or terrible timing, depending on your point of view).
The former University of Miami and Cleveland Browns head coach was ready to be quizzed about the Hogs' job, and artfully declined to express direct interest in job, while not ruling it out.
"That's an unfair thing," Davis said. "Houston is a friend of mine."
"It's a great place," Davis said. "I've got family and friends - but it's a difficult thing. It's unfortunate that Houston's going through a tough time and I wish him the best and want him to win this weekend.""Where I am right now, I'm keeping all my options open," he said.
Make no mistake...Butch Davis is THE #1 free agent head coaching candidate on the market this season, just as Spurrier was last year. Davis is flush with NFL buyout cash (at least $11 million), and can certainly afford to take his time to pick and choose the right opening in the college ranks.
Arkansas, where Davis played college football, has long seemed like a logical fit. However, Houston Nutt just got a brand new contract extension through 2011 (making a coaching change very expensive), signed a super-elite prep quarterback, and got a vote of confidence from AD Frank Broyles on the eve of the season opener (for what that's worth). However, nobody denies that the mere availability of Davis makes the hot seat hotter for Nutt.
Other schools that could vie for Davis' services--should vacancies occur at any of them--include:
Alabama
Mike Shula needs to win big games to keep the job, and Davis flirted with the Tide back when Mike DuBose was fired. Yesterday's humorous pot-shot at Bama won't endear him to the Crimson crowd, but probably wouldn't keep them from courting him again.
Miami
Is Larry Coker hearing hoofbeats in Coral Gables? If his tenure there ends soon (either by firing, retirement, or something in between), expect to hear clamor for a Davis encore engagement. After a less-than-stellar NFL stint, Mike Riley trekked back to Oregon State for a second round there, though Steve Spurrier did not seek to tread the waters again at Florida. Of course, Spurrier had already won a national title with the Gators, something Davis didn't get to do at UM.
Texas
Mack Brown's stock is rising these days--especially after the big win over Ohio State. However, considering all the hype and hopes surrounding the 2005 Longhorns, a collapse this season could seriously jeopardize Brown's future in Austin, considering the fanbase there that has long wondered whether he can lead national championship talent to a national championship. Butch Davis has long been mentioned a potential solid fit for UT, given his old Southwest Conference pedigree and successful tenure as a Dallas Cowboys assistant. The odds are slim on this one, but you never know.
UCLA
Could Karl Dorrell's days be numbered in Bruin-land? It's too early in the season to know for sure, but you can bet the Bruins could do worse than to give Davis a ring. Butch Davis has the NFL head coaching credibility (like Pete Carroll) to open doors and sell tickets in SoCal, has experience coaching at an urban university packed with pressure to win, and has experience coaching in a market where recruiting competition is fierce. UCLA, however, may be tempted to turn to another super-successful former 'Canes coach--Dennis Erickson--who has solid Pac 10 coaching experience (something that Davis lacks).
An unexpected retirement at either Florida State or Penn State could also pique the interest in and of Davis.
Comments:
posted on September 13, 2005 12:41 PM — 168.166.54.11 — link — abuse?Robert Knodell said:
Aaron, I've also heard that the rank-and-fans fans have really begun to sour on Nutt. A pretty stark turnaround from the a couple of years ago, when most were signing his praises.
posted on September 13, 2005 2:22 PM — 198.207.0.5 — link — abuse?
More than enough chances?
Wow - talk about short term memory from fans.
Lets take a look at Nutt's record at Arkansas. He's in been there 8 years, with a 53-33 record.
That's an average of 7-5 every season - if you're interested.
1998 - 9-3
1999 - 7-4
2000 - 7-6
2001 - 7-5
2002 - 9-5
2003 - 9-5
2004 - 5-6
Is he really holding back Arkansas? Or is it the other way around?
I'd argue that Arkansas is a smaller school in a big pond sharing the same division at Alabama, Auburn and LSU, and to have that track record, despite having less resources than any of those three schools. Most fans would kill to have that kind of success year in and year out. Yet Razorback fans are unhappy? What more do you want? National Championship games every year?Bottom line, if Arkansas cuts ties, the line for Nutt's services will likely extend around the block.
posted on September 13, 2005 2:55 PM — 168.166.54.11 — link — abuse?
I think that Arkansas fans' weariness with Nutt springs from two things:
1. The talent level has unquestionably gone down over the time he's been there. The record on the field is catching up with that. UA seems to always snag a huge in-state stud, but the rest of their classes are thin.
2. Nutt's flirtations with other schools. Hog fans were sort of honored when he turned down Nebraska and stayed. They were ticked off when he flirted with LSU last year, a bitter conference rival. Many were enamored with him as the home-state boy who was in his dream job, but now the feelings have soured since they know of his interest in moving on. He's become like any other coach: win big or move on.
The facilities at Arkansas are first class. The fan base is as strong as you'll find, especially for a school that hasn't won a conference or national title in a generation. They might not have the budgets or recruiting bases of the big boys of the SEC East, but they measure up well in the SEC West.
Raymond Owens said:
posted on September 13, 2005 8:17 PM — 12.227.184.136 — link — abuse?
>>The facilities at Arkansas are first class. The fan base is as strong as you'll find, especially for a school that hasn't won a conference or national title in a generation.
Hey, we did win the old SWC in the late 80's if memory serves me correctly. Granted, it wasn't the SEC but A&M had some tough teams.
posted on September 13, 2005 8:32 PM — 12.217.43.245 — link — abuse?
You are indeed correct. Arkansas won the SWC in both 1988 and 1989. Not quite a generation ago (16 years removed), but I doubt many of the current players remember them. A&M was pretty good during that time ('88 was the last year of the Sherrill era; '89 was Slocum's first season).
Aaron said:
posted on September 14, 2005 11:27 AM — 138.163.0.41 — link — abuse?
Only an Arkansas fan would truly understand this. You can't simply look at the record as the only indicator of success. I argue that with the talent Nutt had (yes, past tense) and an offensive coordinator we might have been in New Year's Day bowl games for the past few years.
Nutt promised when he was hired that Arkansas would be taken to the next level. That has not happened. So yes, he's had enough chances to make that happen. He's had enough recruiting classes. I really like him as a person, and if Arkansas' Athletic Dept. is content to be a middle-of-the-pack SEC West team forever then he's the best coach we could ask for. But if we ever want to win an SEC Championship or a National Championship, Nutt needs to be replaced.
Razormark said:
posted on September 14, 2005 11:39 AM — 216.84.75.82 — link — abuse?
I can't wait to see what happens if we score first against USC. We will probably shut down the offense so we won't embarrass them and spend the rest of the game holding on to our lead. Above all let's not use but one running back in the game this time just like we did against Vandy because Howard is a senior and we have to let him have all the carries. Felix Jones just needs to sit on his hands and wait till he's a senior so he can get all the carries. Honestly I don't think Vince Lombardi could win with this defense. prediction: Ark-17, USC 63 !!GO HOGS
posted on September 14, 2005 12:26 PM — link — abuse?
Butch Davis at Florida State would make for a really, really intense 'Noles-Miami matchup. Something tells me that Saint Bobby is going to get to hand-pick his guy and may have already slotted a future head coach and future OC.
CamPigSooie said:
posted on September 14, 2005 12:30 PM — 69.27.196.163 — link — abuse?
WE REALLY NEED AN OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR. I CAN SAY THAT MUCH. I PLAYED UNDER NUTT FOR ONE YEAR, AND MY OTHER YEARS WERE UNDER COACH FORD. NUTT'S BEST YEAR BY FAR WAS WITH A TEAM FULL OF GUYS LIKE ME... THAT DANNY FORD / FITZ HILL RECRUITED. I THINK HIS RECRUITING STYLE & THE GUYS HE GOES AFTER FOR THE MOST PART ARE GUYS THAT WOULD BETTER FIT HIS PREVIOUS COACHING SITUATIONS, NOT SEC TYPE PLAYERS. NOW DO I THINK HOUSTON IS A GREAT COACH, YES... BUT DO THINK HE'D BENEFIT GREATLY SIMPLY BY BEING A HEAD COACH, AND BEING A HEAD COACH ALONE.
Greg said:
posted on September 19, 2005 1:09 PM — 68.51.2.113 — link — abuse?
Houston is a lot like Jimmy Carter - a good man - but not a good president. True Arkansas fans remember the days when going against a #1 team was nothing to dread - i.e. Texas, Oklahoma etc... Houston has had plenty of time to establish a recruting base - which he has not. Arkansas has a great University - in a great town - with great tradition - Razorback fans should not become complacent -- An average record of 7-5 a year under Houston is not acceptable no matter how you slice it - nor is losing to a #1 team 70-17.
Trey said:
posted on September 30, 2005 12:32 AM — 65.32.196.41 — link — abuse?
Amen to all who are done with Houston. The problem is the fact that the Alumni and the institution have lived up to there end of the bargain by supplying the funds to upgrade a once dated facility to something that is really special. Facts:
a 7-5 record posted as a positive says all we need to say about where the program is gone. Averaging one game a season away from a .500 season is unacceptable.
His first season with the emotion and fire combined with a strong talent pool provided by Danny Ford should have resulted in a run at the national championship. This should have spring boarded the program for future sucess, instead it remains the one year to hold up on his resume. By the way, why was Clint Stoerner passing on that play, if he just falls and doesn't fumble Arkansas likely wins.
An athlete like Matt Jones would have made at least one trip to New York for the Heisman ceremony in any other major program (not saying he would have won).
Speaking of Matt Jones. He is the reason why Houston Nutt is still coaching the Razorbacks. Without him, the Razorbacks would likely have not had one .500 season for the past 4 years.
Nutt had his chance, I am not sure that this year is the year to find a new coach. If Butch Davis is available to Arkansas and Arkansas can make it work financially, Broyles would have to make that happen.
MJ said:
posted on October 1, 2005 1:10 AM — 136.1.1.33 — link — abuse?
I played for this sorry coach...he is a phony and highly overated. If you look at his record he one with all of Danny Ford's talent. When it came time for him to recruit and bring quality players in you see what you have now. He is a fake....phony....and the worst play caller in the SEC....
D.F said:
posted on October 6, 2005 10:49 PM — 66.76.123.35 — link — abuse?
Nutt is a good coach, but he is in a slump, and a big one at that, and being a head football coach for the hogs you just can't afford that , the fans will eat you alive, I am a nutt fan, but above all I am a hog fan and, I just want what is best for the program, if that means getting rid of nutt, then sadly, that is part of it.
just wanna win said:
posted on October 9, 2005 1:05 AM — 205.181.102.85 — link — abuse?
Maybe it is time for Nutt to go.Or maybe its time for all Arkansans to realize that for all money put into the program and all the fan base, and no matter how fired up Nutt gets them in the offseason..If the National Image of this state does not change, the recruiting will be the same.. Think about would some 18 year old want to go to Arkansas or Miami or Tenn. or be a Seminole or go to USC, even Virgina Tech. And i know alot of people dont want to hear this, but frankly its the truth, and trust me, I hate using the race card but this is 2005 and im still just a "boy" in Arkansas. African-American, blue-chip atheletes normally want to shy away from here and thats putting it nicely..I would still play, but i love arkansas razorbacks to death. There are bigger issues than just who the coach is...
RichCat said:
posted on October 17, 2005 2:38 PM — 192.252.76.200 — link — abuse?
I think Houston does a great job with all the freshman... Everyone gets fooled by a used car salesmand one time and they are into the hype...then they realize its a lemon... Let HDN start his new career in used car sales...
Tim said:
posted on November 2, 2005 6:25 PM — 66.204.155.125 — link — abuse?
Well, let's look at Nutt another way. Why not compare him to a coach hired the same year he was at UA- that being Mack Brown. While Nutt has gone 55-38 through the Georgia game 2 wks ago, Brown (who came into a similar situation) has gone 78-19, won 10 or more games each of the last 4 years, and gone to a bowl game every year. Not to mention he has already helped one player win the Heisman (Ricky Williams) and may be getting ready to see a second player win it. While I don't expect Nutt to have that knid of success, something closer to it should have been expected. Nutt's had his time; he needs to pass the torch to someone else.
Baber said:
posted on November 5, 2005 10:15 PM — 68.51.51.34 — link — abuse?
"Well, let's look at Nutt another way. Why not compare him to a coach hired the same year he was at UA- that being Mack Brown. While Nutt has gone 55-38 through the Georgia game 2 wks ago, Brown (who came into a similar situation) has gone 78-19..."
Over the past 4 recruiting class, Arkansas has signed 9.25 in-state recruits per season. Texas has signed 17.75 and in 2003 and 2004 didn't even bother to sign anyone from out of state. Arkansas has 10-15 D1 Prospects per year, while Texas has hundreds.In this particular class, there are only 7 that Arkansas considers to be.
Mississippi has 25.
In terms of talent in state, Arkansas has a disadvantage that is far too often overlooked.
"Nutt promised when he was hired that Arkansas would be taken to the next level."
Are you serious? Since Nutt was hired, Arkansas has the best record in the SEC West.
Nutt at Arkansas:56-38 (59.6%)
Ford at Arkansas:26-30-1 (45.6%)People sure do like to talk about the talent Ford had "amassed" when Nutt took over. I think you are all crazy. Look at the numbers.
By the way, coaches aren't mind-readers. They don't know what high school quarterbacks will pan out. Schools like Texas, LSU, Miami, they have big time prospects ringing their phone off the hook all day. Arkansas has to go get them.
If we fire Nutt, chances are the guy who replaces him will not be able to keep the record as it is, and you will kick yourself.
Look at it this way. Before Nutt's hiring, I don't think there is a fan in the state who, if told that over the next 8 seasons will go to 6 bowls and have the best record in the SEC West, wouldn't be beside themselves with happiness. Stop criticizing things which you cannot control and do not understand, because it only pronunciates these weaknesses in yourselves.
T said:
posted on November 6, 2005 9:50 PM — 65.32.196.41 — link — abuse?
Baber,
You are s right. We just need to sit back and be happy with what HDN is doing.
Seriously, Arkansas has always had the same recruiting issues to deal with except now the University's facilities are better than many of the SEC schools. What made anybody think that he was ready for the big time. He was 7-16 at Boise State. Everybody but Nutt knows waiting for your atheletes to make a huge play is not an offesive strategy. This has been his MO for the past 6 years. I'm so tired of the excuses for why it is so tough to recruit to Arkansas. Bottom line it is tough, but it is part of the job and it has to be embraced by the coach. Sure getting the Arkansas atheletes is important, but every program recruits on a national level. We have watched a steady decline during his tenure. I attended the Citrus Bowl like many hog fans did and was excited by the enthusiasm with which our players played the game. I felt like the program was ready to take a real step up. I didn't think it would be the high point of this administration.
I give credit and thanks to Houston for exciting the Alumni enough to build the facilities to make the program capable to compete with other national programs. It is time for him to pass the torch. He needs to go. We are staring down a 3-8 barrel with 2-9 a real possibilty. I hope we can keep Mitch Mustain, but I would love to watch Butch Davis call the plays for him.
Go Hogs.
D said:
posted on November 7, 2005 11:09 PM — 4.253.5.150 — link — abuse?
I have never been a Houston Nutt fan, even when he was winning 8 and 9 games a year. When Nebraska was looking at him (which I really didn't believe at the time), I was hoping that he would be moving on. Instead he got a fat raise and a contract extension.
If you look back at the last eight years, Houston's best year was in 1998 when they went 9-2 regular season with Danny Ford's players. The only other time Houston has won 9 games in a season was in 2002 when they finished 9-3 and then lost the 2 post-season games to finish 9-5 (doesn't sound too great does it). Since 1998, Arkansas is 57-40 overall (assuming we go 4-7 this year), which puts us virtually tied with Alabama for 6th in the SEC in winning percentage (.588) behind GA, TN, FL, LSU, and Auburn.
Arkansas is paying $1.5 million a year for a coach that cannot keep us in the hunt for a bowl game year after year, let alone the conference title or national championship. Why can't Arkansas do what LSU was able to do...........we pay our coach as much as Saban was making when he won the championship. In Saban's 5 years at LSU, he never failed to win at least 8 games (even with Dinardo's players who went 4-7 and 3-8 the 2 prior seasons) and was able to win at least 10 games twice. How long has it been since we won 10 games in a season (late 80's perhaps)?
We can do better, and when you're paying the kind of money that we are we shouldn't have to wait. We have the facilities to attract the best, and now we need to go out and get those players. I believe it's time to make Nutt the Athletic Director and bring in some new blood, whether that be Butch Davis or someone else.
Let's bring the pride back to the football program!!
S J Smith MD said:
posted on November 11, 2005 10:25 PM — 216.163.110.18 — link — abuse?
I'm sure HN is a nice guy (think Jimmie Carter, Bill Clinton)but he has NOT done the job!!Also flirting w/ Neb,LSU, ?others? Time to move on!Hire Butch Davis....or Dan Hawkins....Pat Hill...??? ( BD is BEST FIT!!)
frustrated fan said:
posted on September 24, 2006 11:43 PM — 71.153.175.84 — link — abuse?
Houston - you have brought the student body back to the games. Football is huge on campus. But, you are not performing on the field. The playcalling is horrible and you w-l ratio is too. As much as you maybe a nice man. It is time to go. All I can think of is the line from Apollo 13. Houston, I think we have a problem. But I my mind it goes like this....Houston, you are the problem.
Please note that all comments are subject to the Fanblogs Comment Policy.
Aaron said:
posted on September 13, 2005 12:33 PM — 138.163.0.42 — link — abuse?Nutt has had enough chances. It's time for Butch to take the healm in Fayettville. Believe me, many Razorback faithful want this move to happen.