It's A Done Deal
Trey Biddy
HawgSports.com Publisher
Arkansas announced several changes to the football coaching staff on Friday, and the biggest came at a 1 p.m. press conference when coach Houston Nutt introduced former Springdale (Ark.) High School coach Gus Malzahn as the new offensive coordinator.
Former Springdale coach Gus Malzahn was announced as the new Arkansas offensive coordinator on Friday
The coaching search went on for about two weeks, but there was widespread speculation that Malzahn would be hired as a UA assistant for some time. Malzahn, who led Springdale to an undefeated season and the 5A state championship, was almost hired three years ago by Nutt, but the timing seemed perfect this time.
"I know it's been a long time, a very anxious time for our fans, and I just want to let you all know as your head football coach, this has been a very tough time," Nutt said. "You're dealing with people's lives. You're dealing with changes. You're recruiting, and it's also one of the greatest days I think Arkansas has ever had. I believe that."
Malzahn has been busy the past few days, specifically traveling with Springdale quarterback Mitch Mustain and his numerous all-star and player of the year awards. The pair recently went to New York for a presentation, and earlier this week Mustain was named Gatorade National Player of the Year.
"It's a true honor for me to be here," Malzahn said. "The thing about it, I love Arkansas, and I love the Razorbacks, and it's a true honor for me to be the offensive coordinator of the Arkansas Razorbacks today."
Malzahn has all the credentials one wants in a young up-and-coming coach. And as Nutt said, traveling through the high school ranks is common among college and NFL coaches.
"It's a great day for high school coaches. I have an awesome respect for high school coaches. My father was a high school coach for 33 years," Nutt said. "You can name names after name. Larry Coker was a high school coach. Jimmy Johnson was a high school coach. Pat Jones, on and on and on. I'm happy today that we have another great high school football coach that's coming to join us on the college level, and I'm so excited. This thing didn't really get finalized until last night, Thursday night."
Malzahn is anxious to get started. He addressed his team at 10 a.m. Friday morning to address the situation, a situation that was not finalized until around 11:30 p.m. Thursday.
"It's a huge challenge, but I've always been up for challenges," Malzahn said. "I totally believe that God has blessed me with a unique ability to know offense, to call offense, and I'm truly excited to be here and can't wait to get started."
Malzahn employed a wide-open attack last season at Springdale. His passing philosophies should work well with the SEC's top rushing attack, an attack that averaged over 216 yards per game on the ground last season.
"I am what I am, and we will run the hurry-up at times and go from there," he said.
The UA head Hog also likes the idea of combining the two philosophies for a more balanced attack on offense.
"We have a very good running game, but now with the compliment he brings in the meeting room now is a fit," Nutt said. "It's a win-win. You're going to see. We always believed in one thing. We believe in balance. You want to be able to run the football and pass the football. You believe in screens. You believe in spreading the ball and the vertical passing game. You believe in all those things. So, that's his expertise. That's what we're excited about."
Nutt has been impressed with Malzahn as a coach since his days at Hughes (Ark.) and at Shiloh Christian in Springdale. But his most impressive showings have been with Springdale High School the past couple of years.
"The one thing you'll see if you went to Springdale to watch them practice is unbelievable organization, everybody going from one drill to the next," Nutt said. "There's a quickness, there's a quickness, there's a quickness every time a horn blows. There's repetition, there's a repetition, repetition. That's what football's about, getting better. They have the ability to get people better, and the one thing I love is that he's a teacher, first."
Other moves in the football program include assistants Chris Vaughn and Clifton Ealy moving to director of on-campus recruiting and director of high school relations, respectively. Former wideouts coach James Shibest will now focus on tight ends. Former director of football operations Louis Campbell will coach defensive backs, which he has done many years before his latest role. Rob Taylor will take over as director of football operations. Former quarterbacks coach Roy Wittke is no longer with the team.
There is one more hire to be made, and the new coach will take over wide receivers or quarterbacks, depending on who is the best fit. Malzahn will coach the other position that is not coached by the new hire. Vaughn and Ealy will resume their current roles with the team until after signing day on Feb. 1.
one more time,,,,, woooooosssaaaaaaa..........serenity now.
