Arkansas coach Mike Anderson welcomed new athletics director Hunter Yurachek to the Razorbacks after the win over Colorado State.
Morris leading list in search for new Hogs’ coach
More and more we keep hearing SMU coach Chad Morris is the leader in the search for Arkansas’ next football coach.
Again, that’s what we’re hearing. To the best of our knowledge, nobody knows a whole lot about what’s going on in the search.
With new athletics director Hunter Yurachek being on board already and apparently comfortable with the candidates the Joe and Julie Show have put together, Morris’ name is the one we keep hearing.
Here’s who is not in the mix, according to what we hear:
• Lane Kiffin, Florida Atlantic … He never has likely really been under consideration. While the upside potential is certainly there, you also have to consider the downside. It’s doubtful Chancellor Joe Steinmetz wants to deal with worrying about what the football coach might tweet, among other things.
• Kevin Sumlin, former Texas A&M coach … Again, someone who has never seriously been in the mix, likely because he has no interest in coaching at Arkansas.
• Charlie Strong, South Florida … Arkansas native reportedly made a phone call about the position, which sounds tremendously suspect just on the surface. It has since been reportedly denied. Who knows whether it actually happened or not, but he’s not in the mix.
• Mike Norvell, Memphis … The talk surrounding him has slowed down considerably in the last couple of days. There are reports of a problem in the vetting, but we have no idea what that is. He signed a new deal with the Tigers on Tuesday, so he’s out of the mix.
Names mentioned, but not likely to be seriously considered:
• Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia … Other than a couple of mentions of “names to think about” type things, we haven’t heard his name in the mix at all. The former Oklahoma offensive coordinator appears to be happy with the Mountaineers.
• Mike Leach, Washington State … While a favorite of some fans, we haven’t heard of him being seriously considered. The problems are too numerous, but he’s a wildcard for anybody and nothing indicates he is even remotely a good fit for Arkansas, especially after you do a little talking to people who are familiar with him.
• Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State … He’s not leaving Stillwater. He gave Tennessee a cursory conversation (we heard it never got close to an interview) because he was in Dallas and John Currie just showed up to talk. It didn’t last long and was reportedly dismissed as soon as it started. Until he starts losing don’t look for him to be leaving Oklahoma State.
Now here’s the names we hear still in the mix, ranked from most likely downward:
• Chad Morris, SMU … Apparently he’s the leader in the clubhouse. Obviously no decision has been made (that we know about), but we can’t find a single person to issue one negative about the guy. Even Brent Venables, in Little Rock for the Broyles Award, was singing Morris’ praises.
• Brent Venables, Clemson defensive coordinator … Talk about him has cooled in the last 24 hours and at the Broyles Award he talked in glowing terms more about Morris than anyone else.
There may be someone we have not heard of. Remember in December 2012 none of us had any idea Jeff Long was talking to Bret Bielema, either, until the deal was done.
But we are expecting it to be wrapped up this week.
There is a press conference at 10:30 Tuesday morning with Yurachek, but we would be completely shocked if there was any announcement about a football coach then.
Could Kiffin be target with Yurachek’s hiring?
The Joe and Julie Show got their first hire Monday, picking new athletics director Hunter Yurachek.
Welcome to the jungle, Hunter. Load up the Guns ‘n Roses track and proceed.
If he wasn’t aware of it, Yurachek is about to be hit with everything from a slobbering Hog logo to having to hire a football coach QUICK to dealing with some ticked-off financial donors.
Maybe all on his first day.
Apparently, this wasn’t a smooth hire and it wasn’t one that was unanimous, regardless of what any official vote may be called.
Some wanted Tulsa athletics director Derrick Gragg to have the job. He’d been at Arkansas before, had established relationships and at least knew the fastest way to get from MLK to Dickson St. when traffic was heavy.
Instead, chancellor Joe Steinmetz and interim AD Julie Cromer Peoples managed to push through a candidate with a name that sounds iike a European shooting guard in the NBA that might be able to find Arkansas on a map, but likely knows little else about the state, the people or the culture.
Some former players are mystified, confused and, in a couple of cases, downright ticked off. I know. I’ve heard from some of them and actually broke the news to at least one.
Some longtime donors are not happy.
Many fans are throwing up their hands in disgust and despair.
This was not the direction fans wanted to see after Jeff Long, who apparently had little use for most of the fans and none of the culture where Razorback athletics, particularly football, determines the entire mood of an entire state.
The first order of business is bring some sense of order to a coaching search that has appeared to have all the order of recess at playschool.
It’s likely the last chance the Joe and Julie Show has to get anything right in what has been a two-month drama with first Long, then coach Bret Bielema.
Before Monday’s announcement, which comes on the heels of Auburn coach Gus Malzahn turning down a reported $50 million offer, the pecking order was apparently Memphis coach Mike Norvell and SMU coach Chad Morris.
After Yurachek’s hiring, things accelerated past wild to full-blown craziness.
Lane Kiffin, Dana Holgorsen, Mike Leach and, yes, even Mike Gundy have seen their name mentioned. Who knows if any of these guys are interested or have been contacted.
Who knows what direction we’re heading.
Reportedly, Norvell’s name has dropped off the radar due to a vetting issue. No idea what or why, but that’s what has been circulating.
Kiffin? Former players like running back Madre Hill and tight end Chris Gragg have made their preference for Kiffin known on social media.
Personally, I think Kiffin would be a great choice. His previous issues were more from immaturity than anything else in my opinion. His social media craziness doesn’t bother me in the least and he’s never been criticized for his ability to coach.
He was reportedly the frontrunner at one time last year for the Houston coaching vacancy after Tom Herman went to Texas.
Yurachek was the athletics director doing that search and Kiffin was his choice, but was apparently not the choice of the school’s board.
But can Kiffin pass whatever vetting process is being used now?
At some point, somebody is going to have to get something done regarding a coach.
Right now, though, Yurachek is walking into the jungle.
And his first move might determine whether he makes it very far into that jungle.
Anderson previews matchup with Colorado State
Arkansas coach Mike Anderson takes a look at Tuesday night’s home matchup with Colorado State.
Arkansas hires Houston’s Yurachek as new AD
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas Chancellor Joseph Steinmetz officially announced the appointment of Hunter Yurachek as vice chancellor and director of athletics, effective immediately.
Yurachek currently serves as the vice president for athletics at the University of Houston.
He will be formally introduced to the state and to members of the media later this week at a time to be determined.
“I am thrilled to welcome Hunter to the Razorback family,” said Steinmetz. “He possesses the experience, the management skills and the passion to have an immediate impact on our university. I know that as Razorbacks around our state and country get to know him, they will know that we are in good hands. We welcome Hunter, Jennifer and their children to Arkansas.”
During the 2016-17 academic year, 11 of the 17 varsity sports programs at the University of Houston qualified for NCAA postseason competition, teams won five American Athletic Conference team championships and 21 individual conference titles.
Prior to arriving at Houston, Yurachek served as Director of Athletics at Coastal Carolina University, where Coastal won 29 Big South Conference championships. Yurachek was named Under Armor FCS Athletic Director of the Year in 2014.
He has also worked at the University of Akron, the University of Virginia, Western Carolina University, Vanderbilt University and Wake Forest University.
“The opportunity to serve the Razorback program is both humbling and exciting,” said Yurachek. “There is so much already in place, and we will quickly build on that foundation to win championships. We will do so with integrity and while continuing to be a great source of pride for the entire state of Arkansas.
“I want to thank Chancellor Steinmetz and those involved with the search process. Jennifer, myself and our family cannot wait to join the Arkansas Razorback family.”
A native of Richmond, Virginia, Yurachek earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Guilford College in 1990 and a master’s degree in sports administration from the University of Richmond in 1994.
He was a four-year letter winner in basketball at Guilford. Yurachek and his wife, Jennifer, have three sons, Ryan, Jake and Brooks.
“I want to thank the members of the advisory committee,” added Steinmetz. “Lance Harter, Ben Hyneman, Gerald Jordan, Stacy Lewis, Peter MacKeith, Rick Massey and Bill Montgomery all who provided invaluable input into the search and candidates.
“I also want to recognize the excellent vetting and background work conducted on the final candidates by executive search firm Korn Ferry.”
Yurachek has agreed to a five-year contract worth $850,000 a year.
Ragnow, Harris land on All-SEC second team
ATLANTA — Arkansas senior offensive lineman Frank Ragnow and sophomore linebacker De’Jon Harris were named to The Associated Press All-SEC second team released Monday.
It’s the second straight year Ragnow has earned second-team distinction from the AP, while Harris’ honor comes one season after landing on the 2016 SEC Coaches’ All-Freshman Team.
A finalist for the Senior CLASS Award and semifinalist for both the Wuerffel Trophy and Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award, Ragnow started 33 consecutive games and didn’t allow a sack over 2,603 career snaps at center and right guard before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury during the Auburn game on Oct. 21.
The top graded offensive lineman in the nation by Pro Football focus over the last two seasons, Ragnow had only missed 43 offensive snaps since becoming a permanent starter as a sophomore in 2015.
Behind seven games with double-digit tackles, Harris racked up 115 total stops this season, good for second most in the SEC.
He was also third in the conference with 66 solo tackles. Of his seven 10-plus tackle performances, six came against SEC opponents, which is tied for the league lead.
A product of Harvey, Louisiana, Harris is the first Razorback linebacker to earn All-SEC status since Martrell Spaight earned AP and Coaches first-team honors following the 2014 season.
Could Morris be next choice in search for coach?
After Gus Malzahn said no, many have been assuming the next option for Arkansas in the search for a football coach was Memphis’ Mike Norvell.
That might not have been exactly right.
After the Tigers were named Sunday to play in the Liberty Bowl, Norvell wasn’t on the teleconference they have for the game.
Razorback fans started reading into that. But, as we found out later, he was on a recruiting trip and the logistics simply didn’t work. He was tweeting like a coach who planned to be coaching in that game earlier today.
Over 4,500 tickets sold in 2 hours! Thank you to all Tiger fan and look forward to seeing the #LibertyBowl covered in ???? Blue! #TigerFam https://t.co/sxcC1wk2go
— Mike Norvell (@Coach_Norvell) December 4, 2017
Starting late Sunday night and increasing Monday morning, I’ve been hearing SMU coach Chad Morris’ name getting more and more attention.
In the matter of full disclosure, I thought several months ago he would be the best choice of all, including Malzahn, but that’s just my opinion.
His Twitter account the last few days pretty much reflect what I’ve been told about him all along and what has me the most interested:
Congrats to all #TXHSFB coaches and players who are one step closer to the ???? today! pic.twitter.com/zq2ussK8fJ
— #PonyUpTempo (@SMU_Football) December 3, 2017
Another weekend of great #TXHSFB in the Lone ⭐️ State!
Good luck to all @THSCAcoaches and players as they continue this journey! pic.twitter.com/eBi4ma5GLF— #PonyUpTempo (@SMU_Football) December 1, 2017
He is a recruiter. Even his house in the Highland Park area of Dallas is decorated with recruits in mind. How he got that fly with his wife is evidence of sales ability.
Morris is a heckuva coach, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. He got a four-star quarterback at SMU and has rebuilt the program from the ashes that were as bad as it gets after June Jones basically let the program slide into the ditch.
Even former Razorback Clint Stoerner has been pointing out Morris’ positives on Twitter:
Chad Morris would be a big time hire at Arkansas..all the boxes are checked..get the UofA jets fueled up & headed to Dallas ASAP!!
— Clint Stoerner (@ClintStoerner) December 4, 2017
Your wrong..Ben Hicks, current SMU starting QB, was an ESPN 4* & was Elite 11 #2 comin out .. how many 4* are signing with group of 5 schools with higher than avg admission requirements!! Try again Ross!! https://t.co/fbJGAJ6ZD5
— Clint Stoerner (@ClintStoerner) December 4, 2017
Morris was a huge part of Clemsons initial rebuild, DeShawn Watson’s opinion of Morris as QB recruiter/developer & Morris rebuild at SMU!! https://t.co/XSITdZRxC0
— Clint Stoerner (@ClintStoerner) December 4, 2017
While I don’t always agree with Clint on everything, we are on the same page on this one.
Could Morris be the focus of the coach search now?
