November 26, 2007
Nutt out at Arkansas; landing at GaTech, Ole Miss?
ESPN is reporting that Houston Nutt is out as the head coach at Arkansas.
Houston Nutt, the second-longest tenured football coach in the Southeastern Conference, will not be back at Arkansas next season, sources told ESPN.com on Monday.
University officials will make the announcement at a news conference scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET in Fayetteville. The university would not comment on the nature of the announcement, other than to say Nutt, Chancellor John White and outgoing athletic director Frank Broyles will be on hand.
As early as this morning, reports were circulating that the administration wanted Nutt to remain at Arkansas, so clearly the sides met and weren't able to come to terms -- or perhaps Nutt has something else in the hopper and is ready to move on.
There are rumors cross-posted by publishers of several Rivals.com message boards that he is the top candidate at Georgia Tech and may already be headed to Atlanta, courtesy of agent Jimmy Sexton.
Nutt will receive a negotiated settlement of approximately $3.5 million, but I am afraid that the price will actually be much, much higher for the future of Arkansas football.
I think in the end this will be a mutual parting of the ways. The atmosphere at Arkansas has just become so vicious towards Nutt that I'm certain that both sides would agree that it is no longer conducive to... anything, really.
I said it earlier this year, but I think it bears repeating. Arkansas fans need to be aware that -- in their zeal to remove Nutt -- they may have severely poisoned the waters for future coaches.
I'm sure that it seemed like... let's just say an idea, because it couldn't have seemed like a good idea... at the time, but... how do you think the air raid and so much hatred plays out on the national stage? Why on earth would a top coach want to cast himself into that kind of pot? You may not have agreed with all of his decisions, but what message have you sent to future recruits about supporting the team?
Nutt is gone... but at what price?
Update
The Wizard of Odds links to a story tonight in the Memphis Commercial Appeal claiming that Nutt has begun negotiating to become the next head coach at Ole Miss.
Houston Nutt, who will announce his resignation as Arkansas’ football coach at a press conference tonight in Fayetteville, has begun negotiating financial terms of a possible agreement to become Ole Miss’ next coach, multiple sources told The Commercial Appeal this afternoon.
I suppose Nutt landing at Ole Miss is possible... it just doesn't sound plausible. The Rebels have a track record of hiring assistant coaches as first-time coaches, mainly for financial reasons. The Ole Miss president even commented on the current state of coaching salaries when asked about replacements for Oregeron, so... I don't know if Ole Miss is realistic for Nutt.
I think the more likely scenario would be a very savvy agent (Jimmy Sexton) leaking info to not exactly local paper to help pump up the market for his client -- not that agents would ever do that, right? Right.
I've also heard the "Nutt to Baylor" rumors, but... seriously?! Baylor just permitted dancing about 10 years ago, so I'm not sure they are ready for a head football coach who comes complete with his own off-field sideshow.
No, I contend that the most likely scenario remains the "Nutt to Georgia Tech" rumor referenced in the original post. He would be a great fit at Tech - fits in their budget, excites the fan base, and has put some L's on Georgia (two out of three ain't bad). What more could the Yellow Jackets ask for?!
Comments:
dapipcook said:
posted on November 26, 2007 4:32 PM — 69.154.61.246 — link — abuse?
hmmm.. I hope this is just another false rumor. Though I wouldn't blame him with the stupidity that has shown itself in our ranks. Well.. if he is gone.. we'll either have to get lucky on a no-name coach, shell out HUGE $$ for a big name coach (won't happen) or settle for crap... which is probably what is about to happen... thanks for trying to ruin our program "fans" (if they can really be called that)
TE
posted on November 26, 2007 7:38 PM — 70.180.43.182 — link — abuse?
said:
SHA,
He wasn't ever committed to LSU. Skip Bertman contacted Mack Butler just after conferring with Saban himself and hearing the recommendation...
Nutt was closer to Nebraska pre-Callahan than he ever was to LSU.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen, though...This guy was at one time figured to coach until Broyles retired, and then take over as a dual HFBC/AD, and then to name a successor at the head coach spot...
Perhaps the first time a guy was fired coming off a road win over the #1 team in America, who also has a Heisman Finalist in his backfield...
Arkansas will regret the decision to cut Nutt...
Diggs the Mountie said:
posted on November 26, 2007 9:13 PM — 76.114.231.180 — link — abuse?
Well it's safe to say that Ole Miss will most likely get better before they get worse.
Arkansas Fans do not realize what they had......if they think they can lure Tuberville there......then there crazy. You heard that here first;)
posted on November 27, 2007 9:36 AM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue
said:
UPDATE - There are reports that Nutt has accepted the Ole Miss job.
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War Eagle Atlanta 
said:
posted on November 26, 2007 4:31 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?Is it too late for the fans to hire a new air banner imploring Nutt to stay?
I think you nailed it Kevin--Hog fans will pay dearly for the next few years and GA Tech will reap new rewards. Nutt actually sound like he'd be a good fit on North avenue.
Arkansas fans: Wish McFadden bon voyage, and maybe Jones, too. Destination: NFL!