Coaching Advice (Opinion)

Some of us have grown numb to the college-football coaching carousel that kicks into high gear each and every December. So many coaches come and go that it’s simply hard to be surprised by much these days.

The flurry of activity at the University of Arkansas a few weeks before Christmas, however, did grab our attention.

Maybe it’s our proximity to the university. Maybe it’s a lifelong interest in all things Razorback. Or, we grudgingly admit, maybe it’s the fact the UA’s coaching changes dominated the sports talk radio we claim not to listen to on the way home from the office.

Whatever the reason, we got a little wrapped up in the names of those who took a ride on the Razorback merry-go-round. We were fascinated, in particular, by the firing, er, resignation of former defensive coordinator Willy Robinson.

It’s not that we felt bad for him, necessarily. It’s hard to feel bad for anyone who gets paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to teach guys to tackle other guys.

What was more compelling was the reaction from the Hog fans who donate hard-earned money to coaches like Robinson and his successor, who turned out to be Ohio State assistant Paul Haynes.

It seems a lot of those fans would have preferred a “bigger name” or “more proven product,” one like Randy Shannon or Tyrone Nix. Even a name like Vic Koenning seemed to qualify.

Maybe we’re a little cynical, but we’ve also watched and covered our share of football games. And that experience leads us to the conclusion that Robinson wasn’t the problem, though it’s hard to believe Haynes won’t have better luck on the recruiting trail.

Arkansas’ defensive problems, best we can tell, have had less to do with coaches and schemes than personnel. Put coldly, we don’t think a single Razorback would’ve started for Alabama or LSU, the two SEC gold standards.

And as far as Arkansas’ backups? Don’t even get us started.

UNLV basketball star Larry Johnson once told former UA coach Nolan Richardson to “go get some men” during a Rebels victory over the Razorbacks. Richardson did, and soon brought home a national championship.

That’s exactly what Haynes needs to do now. And that, not a bigger salary or better name recognition, is the bottom line.