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Bielema is meeting expectations, if you listen closely
Winning is not the most important thing if you listen to Jeff Long and Bret Bielema.
Razorback fans are not happy.
Following Arkansas dismal performance in a 28-7 loss to TCU, the Razorback faithful are besides themselves trying to figure out how many of the problems of past Bret Bielema teams have resurfaced in year five.
There is nothing wrong with being torqued off when your favorite football team lets you down. Contrary to what the coach says, it’s probably even therapeutic to “let it all out” and vent your frustrations rather then bottle them in and let them fester.
However, some Hog fans want a change at the top. They either want Long fired or Bielema fired or both on the first train out of Fayetteville.
They aren’t going anywhere.
Why?
Because all of us normal people out here across the state are looking at the wrong scoreboard.
Jeff Long hired Bret Bielema in December of 2012.
Long works for the board of trustees, which is largely made of academics. There is no Jim Lindsey or John Tyson or anyone powerful or passionate about Razorback athletics on the board right now.
All the board wants Jeff Long to do is keep the revenue machine rolling, graduate athletes and prepare them for the real world. He is doing that.
Rarely if someone is meeting expectations do they get asked to leave. Long is keeping Arkansas athletics out of the negative, off the field headlines, which is his main job. So he isn’t going anywhere.
What about Bielema?
Long has stated many times that grades and having good young people off the field is the most important thing to him. He then will throw in a casual “well we want to win more than anyone,” but it’s obvious to any Razorback observer that is not the main priority.
With Bret Bielema, he has a coach who graduates his players, brings in quality character guys, and doesn’t embarrass the University off the field.
How exactly is that coming short of his bosses’ expectations?
Once you figure out what the real goals are, it all makes sense.
I am sure Bielema wants to win more than anyone, but it has to make you very comfortable knowing that it is not the main thing your boss cares about. He isn’t living and dying with your W-L record.
Frank Broyles used to say he never wanted his coaches to be comfortable because they would not as effective coaching their teams. He always wanted coaches he hired to be on edge because he knew he would get more out of them.
Long never puts Bielema on edge and the results we are getting are what happens when you have a $15 million buyout and you are comfortable.
