Hawg Heaven

Wow.. this is almost devestating. I am not excited and I having a hard time wrapping my mind around this whole thing. Smart or McGee would of been wayyy better IMO.

As a Michigan State grad who lived through the JLS era, I can say that it wasn't all bad. He cares about his players and is great at cleaning up messes. His biggest flaw at MSU was not understanding the culture and the competition. I don't think he'll have that problem at Arkansas. I'll be rooting for him and the Hogs all next year. Good luck!

I think some of the people posting on here thought we could just hire anyone we wanted no matter that they had other jobs and were in the middle of spring football. Due to the timing of Bobby's terrible judgement we didn't have many options and this might have been the best for this year. Most if not all the coaches on staff will be kept and it will allow us to start a coaching search at the end of the season. Hopefully we will land a up and coming super star . I have felt all along that we don't need to hurry, we need a super coach, I can wait till Dec. and see what's out there.

That is one way to look at. A few obstacles to that are recruiting for Class of 2013 is going to take a hell of a hit now. In December, Arkansas will then have much more competition for the top coach since others will then be looking for coaches as well. Whether Long hired someone now or in December, I really am not excited about the available of pool of who is available now or who might be then.

Otis, don't you think that the 2013 class was going to take a hit regardless of who they would put in as Interim?

But, on the other side of the coin, it potentially could be salvaged if they get that big name coach in December....ie: Ohio State/Urban Meyer

Here's the way I look at it myself. Going with an interim coach, any interim coach, gets an F, particularly since it effectively kills recruiting. If you feel like you have to go the interim route because no other alternative is available, then this interim coach gets an A+. It likely gives this particular team the best chance of winning this one year since it is the least disruptive to what's been built and keeps everyone doing their existing jobs. No other alternative sees to be as good as this one, but all interims are an F as I said.

But, recruiting isn't done until next February. We will have a permanent coach well before that. Any commit before we have a head coach is just a verbal. Heck if Jeff Long delivers in December, we will have as good a shot as any at all of the best recruits. We can only sign 25 .... And some of the best wait until the end to decide! Remember this last NSD?

Paul Petrino is just as much of a gamble as JLS. Paul could turn out to be a great coach and now we will never know. Paul could also be a long term hire but JLS is not. If Arkansas has a great season would you want JLS as a long term option? I wouldn't. Houston Nutt's players loved him too but that doesn't make him a good coach. With Paul Petrino the recruits could think maybe the system will be the same but now the recruits know the head coach and assistants will be gone after the season.

That is one messed up post....glad your a sooner fan