New coach Bobby Petrino has found his defensive coordinator.

  Mississippi State announced earlier today that Ellis Johnson will be leaving the Bulldogs staff to join Petrino with the Razorbacks. Not sure if there's a connection between the two coaches. I can't find one right now and haven't been able to get anyone on the phone about it yet. But Johnson does bring experience.

  Johnson, 56, has had numerous stops including stints at Clemson and Alabama. His defense just did an impressive job slowing down the nation's leading rusher, Central Florida's Kevin Smith, during the Bulldogs' 10-3 win against the Knights in the Liberty Bowl a couple nights ago.

  Johnson was in the second year of a two-year contract with the Bulldogs and was making $200,000 annually. Of course, it's likely Johnson received a hefty pay raise to join Petrino's staff. He also had reportedly considered positions at South Carolina and Georgia Tech in the past month.

  As if there was any doubt, Johnson's hire means Reggie Herring will definitely be moving on after the Cotton Bowl.
 

Posted by Robbie Neiswanger at 01:51 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

  The blog has been terribly neglected the past two days. But there's good reason. The schedule in Dallas has been a loaded one.

  Both teams practice in the morning until roughly 1 p.m. Arkansas' press conference with players and assistants follows that from 1:15 to 2:15. Then, Missouri holds a press conference from 2:15 to 3:15. Two to three hours to write two or three stories, then we hit the door and try to enjoy an evening social event.

  But let me catch you up on a couple highlights:

  • Obviously, Darren McFadden's situation remains the main storyline of the Cotton Bowl. Will he play? That hasn't been answered yet. Arkansas said it still is looking into the matter and will make a determination before the game, obviously. It could go right up until game time for all we know. So stay tuned.

  • Missouri's spread offense vs. Arkansas' man-to-man coverage has been the other big storyline of the bowl game so far. Missouri thinks its tight ends have been disrespected by something Weston Dacus said. The Tigers can't believe Arkansas would dare to play their receivers man-to-man. The Razorbacks are confident they can do it because they have all year. A little trash talk. A little confidence. A little fun.

  • I've spent most of the week following Missouri as it prepares for the Cotton Bowl. The Tigers talked a lot about defending Darren McFadden and the WildHog during their press conference today. They know it's not going to be easy. In fact, one player described McFadden as a "beast." But their goal is to slow the Razorbacks down just enough for Missouri's offense to score and score and score some more.

  • The common perception is that this game is going to be a shootout and who can argue? Missouri is averaging 40 points a game. Arkansas is averaging 39.8. Obviously, both defenses don't believe they're going to pitch a shutout in this game. The goal is to get as many three-and-outs as possible, force some turnovers and do enough to win. I think it's safe to say that will determine the winner Tuesday.

  In other news, Arkansas assistant Bobby Allen has officially been named to coach Bobby Petrino's staff. We have been reporting that for days, but the Razorbacks put out a release a few minutes ago. That gives Petrino three assistants on his staff for now - his brother Paul Petrino, Tim Horton and Allen.

  Arkansas and Missouri are scheduled to attend an NHL game tonight. So are we. So that's all for now.

Posted by Robbie Neiswanger at 06:50 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

  DALLAS — Arkansas has arrived here in Dallas for the Cotton Bowl, kicking off what is sure to be an eventful week loaded with intriguing questions.

  How will Arkansas perform with Reggie Herring as interim coach? Is this the last time Razorbacks fans will see both Darren McFadden and Felix Jones in Arkansas uniform? Can Arkansas find a way to slow down Missouri's high-octane offense, which is led by Heisman finalist Chase Daniel? How many Krispy Kreme doughnuts will I consume in the media hospitality room before the week ends?

  All of these pressing questions should be answered in time. But for now...

  Arkansas and Missouri reported today and Herring spoke with the media for a few minutes. He said four or five players were missing. The most notable was fullback Peyton Hillis. But Herring said every player has contacted the staff and should be arriving eventually. Travel trouble, etc.

  Both teams will take part in media day tomorrow and hit the practice field for the first time. Arkansas will practice at SMU, while the Tigers are set to practice at Texas Stadium. How exactly did that arrangement take place Jerry Jones? But Herring said he expects an intense workout for the Razorbacks.

  "We'll get their attention very quick in the morning," Herring said. "We'll go out there in full pads and we'll get after it pretty good."

  So that's all for now. Alex and I will have more from Dallas tomorrow.
 

Posted by Robbie Neiswanger at 07:27 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

  Bobby Petrino met with the media for the first time since being introduced as Arkansas' new coach last Tuesday. We've been told it will be the only time to meet with him through the holidays, too.

  So, there was a lot of ground to cover. Here are some highlights:

  • First, Petrino said he has decided to retain Tim Horton on his staff. Horton spent last week recruiting with Petrino and it has obviously helped him stay in Arkansas. Petrino said he didn't know exactly what duties Horton would have, but running backs coach/recruiting coordinator has apparently been kicked around.

  • As for the rest of the staff, Petrino said he won't make any announcements until January. At this point there's really no hurry to put the staff in place because it is a recruiting dead period. Plus, chances are, some of the Falcons coaches will be following him to Fayetteville and season won't end for two weeks.

  • Petrino had a chance to defend himself from all the bad publicity he got from his abrupt departure in Atlanta. But he basically declined. He was asked four or five questions about it but kept saying he wants to put it in the past. He did say it has hurt his family, but, again, plans on just putting it in the past.

  • Petrino met with Arkansas running back Felix Jones and has a good idea of which way he is leaning (the NFL Draft or a senior year at Arkansas). Unfortunately, Petrino didn't share which way Jones is leaning. But, he did say he has not spoken with Darren McFadden yet. I'm not surprised by that.

Posted by Robbie Neiswanger at 12:16 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

We drove over to Oklahoma early Friday, trying to beat the weather. Well, that never really materialized — although, watch out, Ohio and New York.

A few flurries are falling outside the hotel window, nothing serious, nothing that should keep Sooner fans (for $5) and students (for free) from packing the Lloyd Noble Center.

Arkansas (8-1) vs. Oklahoma (7-3), the first of nine Razorback road games this season, starts at 2:05 p.m., beamed to the nation on ESPN2.

And I’m wondering if the Razorbacks can be as unpredictable as the path of a snowstorm.

The Razorbacks don’t do well on the road. Period. Ever since their six seniors arrived in Fayetteville, they have not dealt well with games in opposing arenas. But today, they are out to prove that this season will be different, that they will show up ready on the road.

Oklahoma provides a stiff test. Forget that the Sooners lost to Stephen F. Austin at home last Saturday. Their guards, though young and erratic, can get hot from behind the arc, and their big men are their strength. Freshman Blake Griffin, at 6-foot-10, and senior Longar Longer, at 6-11, will challenge Arkansas’ deep frontcourt.

Jeff Capel has Oklahoma more comfortable in his second season as coach, and former Razorback assistant Oronde Taliaferro surely told his players about Arkansas’.

As always, watch the turnover count. My hunch says Arkansas wins if it’s under 20. Over 20? Not so sure.

Well, we're off to the Lloyd Noble Center. Enjoy the game if you’re watching from Northwest Arkansas, and, watch out for that snowstorm (or don't)!

Posted by Ryan Malashock at 11:17 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

  You know how silly and contrived the Battle for the Golden Boot feels every year?

  The trophy created to generate a rivalry between Arkansas and LSU has been, well, not so effective for fans in either state. LSU has plenty of other rivals to worry about with Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Georgia. The Hogs have, um, well, ...

  That question has finally been answered.

  Houston Nutt's departure and Bobby Petrino's arrival mean the Razorbacks will be playing intriguing games against Auburn and Ole Miss next year. Petrino, of course tried to swipe the Auburn job behind Tommy Tuberville's back (who he used to work for) in 2003. Nutt will bring the Rebels to Fayetteville in October.

  Good times are guaranteed. I'm not sure if Auburn-Arkansas and Ole Miss-Arkansas will have the same venom as LSU-Alabama with Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa, Ala. But I can make this crazy prediction: Arkansas fans now are looking forward to those games more than the return of Texas next season.

  Did I really just say that?

Posted by Robbie Neiswanger at 06:30 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

  Poor Bobby Petrino. He had to take a massive paycut to come to Arkansas.

  Who are we kidding? Sure, Petrino won't be making $4.5 million to coach in the NFL anymore, but earning $2.85 annually with the Razorbacks isn't half bad. I'll take it.

  We got a copy of Petrino's signed contract last night and it revealed some interesting details, like the no-compete clause that won't allow him to leave and coach at an SEC West school the next five years. Or the $2.85 million buyout, which is in effect for the first four years of the deal. But not the fifth.

  I did leave one thing unexplained, unfortunately, in the contract story I wrote. It involves the breakdown of his annual payout. How he gets to $2.85 million each year, actually.

  The first part ($750,000) comes from his agreement with the university. The second part ($1.95 million) comes from the Razorback Foundation. But, in addition, the foundation also will be setting aside $150,000 each year for five years "in recognition of your previous coaching accomplishments and as an incentive for ou to remain as the Head Coach of the University of Arkansas by declining other collegiate and professional coaching opportunities that may arise." He'll recieve it if he is terminated for convenience. He won't if he leaves, fails in perform his duties as head coach or is termnated for cause.

  So, added up, $1.95 million + $750K + $150K = $2.85 million. That's a lot of money.

Posted by Robbie Neiswanger at 04:11 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

  Want a satirical take on Arkansas' coaching search? Then look no further than ESPN.com writer Pat Forde, who penned this piece today on the troubles Michigan and Arkansas seem to be having.

  Butch Davis, Tommy Bowden, Jim Grobe, Gus Malzahn, all of them are touched on. My favorite line about the search? How about this gem:

"We've just about reached the deejay-on-a-billboard stage in Fayetteville. One more rejection and some wacky morning guy will go roost on a billboard and declare that he's not coming down until the Hogs hire a coach."

Posted by Robbie Neiswanger at 02:29 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

  If you didn't see it, check out the story I wrote this morning on Arkansas' coaching search and how the opening is perceived by a few members of the national media. I have to admit, I only had one day to put the story together, so getting a large sampling was darn near impossible. But I did the best I could.

  If I had more time, there's no doubt I would have called others. Like CBSSports.com national columnist Gregg Doyel. I interviewed Doyel when I worked for the Jackson Clarion-Ledger last year on a story about Ole Miss' basketball coaching search and how the job was perceived. Let's just say he really angered Ole Miss with his feelings. My in-box was filled for days. I'm sure his was too.

  I mention this because, even though I didn't talk to him, Doyel does have an opinion on the Arkansas football coaching search. Check it out here. Here come the e-mails.
 

Posted by Robbie Neiswanger at 06:22 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

  So Arkansas running back Darren McFadden will come home from New York empty-handed again.

  McFadden finished second to Florida quarterback Tim Tebow for the Heisman Trophy. Not that anyone in Arkansas needs me to tell them that. I'm sure everybody was tuned in.

  But how about this for an interesting stat: McFadden is just the third person to ever finish second two consecutive seasons. He's the first since North Carolina halfback Charlie Justice 1948 and 1949. Even more interesting, Justice finished second to SMU halfback Doak Walker in 1948.

  Hey, at least McFadden has two Doak Walker awards.

Posted by Robbie Neiswanger at 11:51 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — I'm sitting in the Atlantic Dance Hall here on Disney property waiting for the College Football Awards Show to begin. But I do have some news to share with you.

  Jonathan Luigs was named the winner of the Rimington Trophy earlier this afternoon. It goes to the nation's top center. He won't be presented with the award on stage tonight, but it will be mentioned.

  In addition, running back Darren McFadden has been named Walter Camp Player of the Year, giving him one national player of the year honor. He, Felix Jones and Luigs also were named Walter Camp All-Americans, giving the Razorbacks three players on this prestigious team. All three will be mentioned tonight.

  I'm about to head out to the red carpet and try to get some interviews done. I'll check back later.
 

Posted by Robbie Neiswanger at 05:33 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — He may be a veteran at this, but he's not immune to being nervous.

  It was obvious as sweat started to bead on running back Darren McFadden's forehead as he stood in front of a handful of television cameras answering question after question here Wednesday night as part of the ESPN College Football Awards Show. It was obvious when Arkansas assistant sports information director Josh Maxson grabbed a napkin, slipped it to the junior and heard him say, "Thank you," before continuing along his way.

  Sure, he has done this award circuit thing before. He was here in Orlando last year for the ESPN College Football Awards Show. He won the Doak Walker Award. He went to New York and stood on stage as he waited for the winner of college football's top individual honor. But McFadden admits he still gets nervous.

  “For me, it’s nervous, but you feel like you have a really good shot because you were here last year," McFadden said.

  Will he win the Doak Walker again tonight? Probably. Will he win the Maxwell Award? Maybe. What about the Heisman Trophy? He hopes so. McFadden was quizzed about the final topic the most Wednesday, during a 30-minute question and answer session with the media. He found out Wednesday he is one of four finalists, joining Tim Tebow, Colt Brennan and Chase Daniel.

  But the Heisman will take a backseat for at least one night on Thursday. I'll be there to cover it and will check back with more tomorrow.

Posted by Robbie Neiswanger at 10:16 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

    ORLANDO — Yes, the coaching search is on everyone's mind in Arkansas. But I managed to make my way down here to sunny, Orlando, Fla., for the other thing that's going on this week: Darren McFadden's award week.

  Since I'm an Orlando native, I was lucky enough to get the first half of the award leg. Alex Abrams will be traveling to New York to cover the Heisman Trophy ceremony later this week.

  For now, I'll be driving down to Disney in a couple of hours to talk to Darren and Arkansas center Jonathan Luigs as they prepare for tomorrow night's ESPN's College Football Awards Show.

  McFadden will likely win the Doak Walker for the second straight season. He's also in the running for the Maxwell Award, which is presented to the nation's top player. Here's an interesting fact: The last seven winners of the Maxwell did not win the Heisman Trophy.

  Luigs is in the running for the Rimington Trophy, which is presented to the nation's top center. He is one of six finalists for the award.

  I'll let you know more when I get to Disney later this afternoon.

 

Posted by Robbie Neiswanger at 12:34 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

FAYETTEVILE — This all feeling eerily familiar?

Razorback fans already have endured one painfully long coaching search in 2007. It took two weeks for Arkansas to find its successor to Stan Heath, who was fired by athletic director Frank Broyles on March 26.

Now that Clemson’s Tommy Bowden has spurned the Hogs, will it take acting athletic director Jeff Long as long to land the replacement for Houston Nutt?

The basketball drama demands a revisit.

First, Texas A&M’s Billy Gillispie flirted with the position behind the scenes but decided to wait for Kentucky instead. Then, Kansas’ Bill Self and USC’s Tim Floyd politely turned down requests to meet. Then, Memphis’ John Calipari passed up on a $2 million-plus per season offer from Broyles.

Then, Creighton’s Dana Altman infamously spent one day as Arkansas’ coach. Then, chancellor John White finally thought, “Why did I have Coach Broyles do this again? Why don’t we give this search firm thing a try?”

Dan Parker’s search firm discovered John Pelphrey at South Alabama, and many followers were more pleased with him than they were with Altman. Moral of the story: Sometimes you must fail before you succeed.

This all may have happened for a reason (keep saying that to yourselves, Razorback fans).

North Carolina's Butch Davis could be the Gillispie in this coach-search tale.

Auburn's Tommy Tuberville could be the Calipari.

And Bowden could be the Altman — now sure, Bowden didn't take the job, but he seemed so close, the Razorback Foundation nearly voted on his salary structure.

As was with the basketball search, it seems to be back to square one.

Or is it? Long is the wild card in all of this. He could very well be locking down a deal with the Hogs' new coach. Or he could be consulting with a search firm. Or he could be re-stocking his list of potentials. No way of knowing. Long and chancellor John White have ensured that through the secretive search.

Either way, this thing is going longer than most had hoped. Just remember, that may not be all bad.

— RYAN MALASHOCK

Posted by Ryan Malashock at 05:16 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Live here at the Bud, about an hour before Arkansas' nonconference tilt with Oral Roberts. The Hogs, 5-1, already faced a difficult test. But their task against the 4-2 Golden Eagles is even tougher now than expected.

Sonny Weems, Arkansas' third-leading scorer (12.2 per game) is out. Arkansas coach John Pelphrey has suspended Weems indefinitely, though the length of suspension could be short. The penalty: "violation of team rules."

Robby Edwards, UA's associate sports information director, said Pelphrey hasn't determined the length of the suspension yet. He said Weems could possibly still play in Monday night's game against Missouri State, or he could possibly be out much longer. No way to know right now, he said.

Vincent Hunter is expected to start in Weems' place. Hunter didn't play in Wednesday's win over Missouri. 

I'll ask about Weems' status after the game.

Yes, the game. Let's get back to that. ORU is tournament-tested (two straight NCAAs). The Golden Eagles won at Kansas last season. And they have Scott Sutton, son of Eddie Sutton, the ninth-year coach who always loves to come back to Fayetteville and compete.

This is just another one of a bunch of sneaky-tough games on Arkansas' docket. There's a lot of defending conference champs on that schedule. And with Weems now out, the Hogs hope to not fall to one of them. 

Posted by Ryan Malashock at 01:11 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)