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Bielema’s buyout reduced a little, but still high

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Contracts are usually the starting point for negotiations and that’s been the case for former Arkansas coach Bret Bielema.

An ESPN reports says the former coach, fired last Friday following the eighth loss of the year for the Razorbacks, will get $11.8 million.

There was some confusion as to the amount people were expecting:

Some members of Arkansas’ board of trustees tried to argue that the school owed Bielema between $5 million and $6 million. Bielema’s attorney, meanwhile, wanted the full $15.4 million buyout. But the sides agreed on the negotiated settlement, which should be executed in the next few days, the source told ESPN.

As we’ve said, sports contracts are the starting point for negotiations to break them.

Neighbors looking forward to Kansas road trip

Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors is looking forward to the Hogs’ road trip to Kansas and introducing his players to legendary Phog Allen Fieldhouse.

Gragg maybe, Gus still a maybe, Leach a definite no

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Thursday was one of those days like nobody has seen at Arkansas … ever.

To be fair, it’s because Arkansas has never been in this position before. It’s the first time the athletic director position has been vacant (sorry Julie Cromer Peoples, but you’re not the AD) at the same time as the head football coach.

It started with sources telling us and other media outlets that Tulsa athletics director Derrick Gragg was the choice to be the next AD for the Razorbacks.

That rolled around for a couple of hours before the UA jumped out to walk it back, saying, well, it’s not official.

“No decision has been made,” UA spokesman Mark Rushing told WholeHogSports.com.

Apparently, though, he is the leader in the clubhouse for the job and had no comment in Tulsa when he came out of a board of trustees meeting.

According to sources, Gragg is the choice of the board of trustees. Chancellor Joe Steinmetz, however, is reportedly pushing for former Arkansas quarterback Kevin Scanlon, who has worked at Stephens Inc. for years.

It was reported by other media outlets that the search committee retained this week would still be vetting candidates and no decision expected until midweek next week.

And if you thought confusion was only on that side, the football coach search continued to get more interesting.

There are multiple reports that mercurial Washington State coach Mike Leach reached out regarding the Arkansas position, but there was no interest from the Hogs.

Some fans have had him high on their list, but he will not be considered for the position. That is a good thing because he would be a horribly bad fit at Arkansas in my opinion.

Oh, Leach is entertaining, but has only shared a Big 12 South championship in 2012, was fired at Texas Tech for cause and really hasn’t exactly turned Washington State into a championship contender.

While he may make press conferences interesting, there’s zero proof he’s prepared for what’s required these days in the SEC in terms of recruiting. His only time in the league was offensive coordinator for Hal Mumme at Kentucky from 1997-98.

Scratch Leach off the list.

Gus Malzahn is still the No. 1 choice and more people are starting to believe he’s going to come to Arkansas regardless of how the Tigers fare in the

Even those who didn’t believe it possible two weeks ago are now actually thinking there is a good chance.

Oddsmaker Danny Sheridan, who lives in Alabama, said on a radio show Thursday if the Tigers lost to Georgia on Saturday, Malzahn was headed to Arkansas. He said if they win he puts the odds at 65 percent and if they win the national championship, he said it’s 50-50.

So, Gus MAY still be coming to Arkansas, who doesn’t have an athletic director, although it appears there is a power struggle going on for that position.

And we still don’t know WHO is in charge of anything.

Welcome to the most memorable silly season in Arkansas football history.

Anderson on playing in PK80, going on road to Houston

Arkansas coach Mike Anderson talked with the media Thursday about going 2-1 in the PK80 in Portland and going back on road this weekend.

Barford, Thompson on playing at PK80, facing Coogs

Arkansas players Jaylen Barford and Trey Thompson talked with the media Thursday to talk about the PK80 last weekend, Houston on Saturday.

‘Gus lovers’ making top candidate less likable to some

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Have you ever had someone at work that is always hounding you about a political argument or some sort of cause? Constantly talking and talking and talking about this issue or that issue to the point that even if the issue is important, it just becomes annoying white noise.

That’s how I feel about Gus Malzahn today.

I understand what a great hire Gus Malzahn would be for the University of Arkansas. I don’t need his band of fan minions reminding me about it every waking hour of the day on social media!

Gus isn’t a fluke. He isn’t a gimmick. He has proven that this season in particular with the way his Auburn team has dismantled both #1 Georgia and #1 Alabama to win the SEC Western division championship. All the fanboys from the northwest corner of the state are doing with their undying love and affection for Gus is making me like him less. It’s not Gus’ fault. He isn’t trying to get his grass roots sycophant network to lobby for this job. He is worried about Georgia this weekend.

But all this constant useless chatter is making me want him to NOT get the job. It’s just annoying hot air.

I am not the smartest person on the planet, but I don’t need a constant reminder that pizza is good or that filet mignon is awesome. Tell me something I don’t know cause I’m well aware that both of those things are true.

Gus would be the hire of hires for the Razorbacks if they can get the ball over the goal line next week. Constantly reminding me how great he is every single day of this search is not helping to unify the Razorback fan base, in my opinion.