December 4, 2007
Arkansas turned away by Clemson's Bowden
A new name is popping in the search for a new Arkansas head coach, courtesy of a "scoop" from ESPN's Joe Schad.
Schad reported on ESPN that the Razorbacks have narrowed their coaching list to three names - Tulsa OC Gus Malzhan, Michigan DC Ron English and Clemson HC Tommy Bowden. Schad also reported that Arkansas has already conducted two interviews with English and may be interviewing Bowden this week.
Bowden, who has a $2.5 million dollar buyout in his contract with Clemson, was initially a candidate for the Arkansas job in 1999 after leading Tulane to an undefeated season.
Despite the chatter, it seems that there is nothing to the reports. Bowden has been offered a contract extension at Clemson and -- according to players on the team -- told the Tigers that he will be staying at CU and signing the extension.
In other words, wild goose chase.
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UPDATE 12-4-07
Only that wild goose chase comment... maybe not so much.
ESPN is now saying that Arkansas is preparing to offer Tommy Bowden the job at more than $2 million per year, while other reports say the number may be as high as $2.5 million.
Meanwhile The State says that Long has offered Bowden the job.
According to reports, Bowden and Arkansas AD Jeff Long met last week at Bowden's vacation home in Panama City, FL to begin talks. The two
met again on Monday and hammered out many aspects of the deal, including how many assistants Bowden would bring from Clemson to Arkansas.
Bowden was said to want to "sleep on it" last night before agreeing to a deal with Arkansas.
The Charleston Post & Courier puts it in stark contrast for Clemson fans....
As of late Monday night, all indications pointed to Bowden having a decision to make: head to Arkansas and take a fat pay raise, or remain at Clemson and accept a contract extension he has thus far rejected.
The extreme irony of the situation, should Bowden replace Houston Nutt, in that Nutt left UA because of intense fan scrutiny. Meanwhile, over at Clemson, it hasn't exactly been a bowl of cherries for Bowden either. Depsite year-upon-year of putting Clemson in a position to win the ACC and having CU on the verge of their first 10-win season in 17 years, Bowden is consistently on the "hot seat" with the Tiger fans.
Bowden and Arky AD Long are friends from their assistant coaching days, and maybe a fresh start at Arkansas is exactly what Bowden is seeking.
The Razorback Foundation - UA's booster arm - is expected to meet this morning to endorse the contract offer for Bowden to become Arkansas' new head coach.
Bowden reportedly has a $2.5 million buyout in his existing contract with Clemson.
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UPDATE 12-4-07
According to a source inside the AD, Clemson has scheduled a players meeting for this afternoon, texting the players and asking them to please be in attendance.
According to TigerIllustrated, Bowden contacted Arkansas this morning and said that he has decided to stay at Clemson. The Tigers and Bowden have agreed in principle on the terms of his contract extension.
The news of the agreement comes on the heels of an emergency meeting of the Clemson board this morning.
Also, the Razorback Foundation has cancelled the meeting scheduled for this morning to discuss Bowden's compensation.
Comments:
RazzMaTazz said:
posted on December 3, 2007 5:09 PM — 70.137.167.251 — link — abuse?
Tommy Bowden hasn't won an ACC title in NINE years at Clemson so I highly doubt that Arkansas would hire Bowden to help them win the SEC. If however, Arkansas is looking to finish in the upper-middle of the pack for the next NINE years, Tommy Bowden has a solid track record in meeting that goal. Clemson has to pay Bowden $2.5M this year if they fire him. ($500k next year.) But I don't think that Arkansas would have to pay Clemson $2.5M to take him would they? Heck, I'd pay Arkansas to take him away.
posted on December 4, 2007 8:11 AM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue
said:
Here's your early morning update....
Only that wild goose chase comment... maybe not so much.
ESPN is now saying that Arkansas is preparing to offer Tommy Bowden the job at more than $2 million per year, while other reports say the number may be as high as $2.5 million.
Meanwhile The State says that Long has offered Bowden the job.
According to reports, Bowden and Arkansas AD Jeff Long met last week at Bowden's vacation home in Panama City, FL to begin talks. The two
met again on Monday and hammered out many aspects of the deal, including how many assistants Bowden would bring from Clemson to Arkansas.Bowden was said to want to "sleep on it" last night before agreeing to a deal with Arkansas.
The Charleston Post & Courier puts it in stark contrast for Clemson fans....
As of late Monday night, all indications pointed to Bowden having a decision to make: head to Arkansas and take a fat pay raise, or remain at Clemson and accept a contract extension he has thus far rejected.
The extreme irony of the situation, should Bowden replace Houston Nutt, in that Nutt left UA because of intense fan scrutiny. Meanwhile, over at Clemson, it hasn't exactly been a bowl of cherries for Bowden either. Depsite year-upon-year of putting Clemson in a position to win the ACC and having CU on the verge of their first 10-win season in 17 years, Bowden is consistently on the "hot seat" with the Tiger fans.
Bowden and Arky AD Long are friends from their assistant coaching days, and maybe a fresh start at Arkansas is exactly what Bowden is seeking.
The Razorback Foundation - UA's booster arm - is expected to meet this morning to endorse the contract offer for Bowden to become Arkansas' new head coach.
Bowden reportedly has a $2.5 million buyout in his existing contract with Clemson.
posted on December 4, 2007 10:55 AM — link — abuse? said:
According to a source inside the AD, Clemson has scheduled a players meeting for this afternoon, texting the players and asking them to please be in attendance.
According to TigerIllustrated, Bowden contacted Arkansas this morning and said that he has decided to stay at Clemson. The Tigers and Bowden have agreed in principle on the terms of his contract extension.
Also, the Razorback Foundation has cancelled the meeting scheduled for this morning to discuss Bowden's compensation.
M GO BLUE said:
posted on December 4, 2007 12:01 PM — 216.46.204.15 — link — abuse?
As I said a loooooooong time ago, Ron English will be the next Michigan HC........Not sure this is our best option.......but we could do much worse.
My greatest fear if English becomes the HC is that he will keep Mike Debord as the OC.........if this happens we will continue downhill untill Michigan crashes burns to the ground like Nebraska.
Tom Blogical
posted on December 4, 2007 2:35 PM — 24.95.77.153 — link — abuse? said:
M GO BLUE:
I'm a BIG fan of both Ron English and Mike Debord. :-)
posted on December 4, 2007 5:34 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Arkansas should look at Buster Brown Bowden instead. He might need a little remedial training before resuming as a HC, but he could probably be had for a third of the price.
Maybe Malzahn could lure Mustain back. The old double switcharoo...
M GO BLUE said:
posted on December 5, 2007 1:17 PM — 216.46.213.200 — link — abuse?
Tom Blogical, Yeah, i think everyone loves Mike Debord......except the Michigan fans.
I am surprised you like English so much? Giving up 14 points to your Buckeye's is pretty darn good.
I'm getting my scarlet and silver on........but just this once.
Tom Blogical
posted on December 5, 2007 1:52 PM — 24.95.77.153 — link — abuse? said:
M GO BLUE:
English--I thought he'd figure out how to stop the iso or the off tackle play more than once in 7 tries...
GACK!!! Scarlet and GRAY!!! Saying Scarlet and silver is like someone saying GOLD and Blue!! ;-)
M GO BLUE said:
posted on December 5, 2007 2:01 PM — 216.46.213.200 — link — abuse?
Tom B, so sorry...........M GO BLUE is now putting on his Scarlet and gray.
BRUTUS BUCKEYE !!! BUCKEYE BATTLECRY !!! FIGHT THE TEAM ACROSS THE FIELD !!! DOT THE "I" !!!
GGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BUCKEYE'S !!!This pains me you know.
Tom Blogical
posted on December 5, 2007 2:15 PM — 24.95.77.153 — link — abuse? said:
"This pains me you know."
Yeah, it pained me when my nephew went and played soccer for Michigan, too, but I got over it... (:-D)
Go BLUE!!!! BEAT THE GATORS!!!
War Eagle Atlanta 
said:
posted on December 3, 2007 4:19 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?Hey, I'm still lobbying for Tuberville. I guess all that smoke that Jimmy Sexton is blowing around is only intended to get Tubs a Sabanesque bump at Auburn. Evidently, no team out there thinks that TT is worth the $6M buyout, plus the $3M+ annually.
R-Kansas certainly seems to be taking their time with this. Perhaps they should hire that banner company to fly around the state advertising for the position.