Tusk to Tail: A closing message you can’t refuse

Tusk to Tail calls Craig May the Godfather of Tailgating.

May has missed only one Arkansas football game since 1999, attending 174 of the past 175 games and 94 straight. As the season began winding down, Craig was asked to write our final story of The Lost Season. Consider the following the Godfather's State of the Razorbacks Address.

From Craig May:
Black Friday is over for the Razorbacks.  Thank God we managed to weather the storm.

This season has been a lesson on the value a good head coach brings to your football program. The Hogs struggled all season to fill the leadership void left by Petrino’s departure in early April. The team was not as bad as they played at times this season, but with the departure of key contributors from last year's team and early injuries, it was clear the Hogs were not going to be as good as advertised.

Thankfully this season has come to a close and we can begin to look forward to the 2013 season.

The Arkansas football program has a lot to offer its next head coach. We have passionate fans. Our athletic director appears willing to provide the tools a coach needs to be successful at a high level. We have outstanding facilities and a roadmap for further improvement.

We will pay top dollar to right head coach. I believe if we hire the right coach, he can come in and turn Arkansas into a winning football program next season. It may not be the 10-win season we all became used to under Petrino, but we should have a winning record and begin to build for the future.

The last 12 weeks have been a blast for the guys from Tusk to Tail. Win or lose it was a pleasure to spend our Saturdays enjoying family, friends, food, and football. It will be nice to spend a few weekends at home, but soon the anticipation will begin to build for the 2013 football season.

The excitement of a new coach, the 2013 recruiting class, and spring practice will keep Hog fans talking football.

In early August, we’ll begin planning for the first tailgate on 8-31-13 when the Hogs take on the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns in Fayetteville. Let’s just hope it is not an 11:30 a.m. kickoff.

So, until then, AMF.