Van Horn on new contract, Yurachek, recruiting

Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn was in Harrison on Tuesday night with the Razorback Club and the first question from reporters before was about the contract.

“Right out of the chute you hit that one,” Van Horn said, obviously in good spirits.

He wasn’t offended, quickly offering that he and athletics director Hunter Yurachek had talked.

“Yes, we have,” Van Horn said.

It’s clear that just a couple of weeks after a near-miss with a national title against Oregon State in the College World Series, he’s already at work on the next one, but he wasn’t going to make contract negotiations too tough.

“I told him I was good with everything,” Van Horn said about the conversations with Yurachek. “I think everyone knows I want to be at Arkansas. It’s not all about the finances. It’s about being where you want to be to me.”

In his 16th year with the Razorbacks, he has now been in five College World Series with 15 NCAA appearances.

And he’s not interested in going anywhere, just listening to him.

He seemed to indicate the extension would carry through the 2023 season. There would also be options for 2024 and 2025. His current contract runs through 2021 with an annual financial package of $775,000, but bonuses could raise that total.

“I guess if I win enough we get to add some more years,” Van Horn said. “I’ll get a couple years added to that possibly. Then there might be a couple more in there if things go well.”

As we said, it doesn’t appear he’s going anywhere for awhile.

Which is good for Hogs baseball.