Camera Guy Finds An Unwelcome Nutt (commentary)

It’s not often that the guys behind the cameras open a can of worms large enough to catch the eye of the commissioner of a major NCAA sports conference.

But that’s exactly what happened Sept. 22 when an ESPN cameraman zoomed in for a close-up of the University of Arkansas coaches’ booth and found a certain Nutt wearing headphones and looking extremely involved in what was going on during Arkansas’ 41-29 loss to Kentucky.

Danny Nutt, Arkansas head coach Houston’s brother, resigned from coaching in late summer for health reasons.

The Southeastern Conference and the NCAA have rules that limit the number of coaches a team can use in order to keep the playing field level. 

But it’s all kosher, says Houston, who said he dialed up SEC Commissioner Mike Slive earlier that week to check on the rule but didn’t hear back until the entire hubbub arose when Danny was caught in front of a national TV audience. Good timing, coach.

The UA got a letter from the SEC last week titled “Houston, We Have a Problem.” OK, that’s not really what it said, but it did make it clear that Danny was welcome at games but restricted from being anywhere near a coaching area.

And the reality show known as “UA Football” continues.