Your Thoughts...

[Brad50]

Apparently Mitch Mustain wants to transfer from Arkansas. I guess he was not happy with his playing time and the fact that his high school coach left to be a asst coach at Tulsa.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2733190

I wonder what the Irish faithful feel about Mitch's loyalty since his decision came down to Notre Dame and Arkansas last year (if I remember correctly). I, for one, am glad that he did not choose ND.

Your thoughts...

 

[bmf175]

If I remember correctly he wanted to come to ND. But we already had 2 highly rated QBs coming in, so maybe he had to settle for a school he really didnt want to go to.

 

[Brad50]

You may be right. I wonder if he will end up at Tulsa, following his high school coach. Or maybe that's why the coach is at Tulsa...to bring Mustain with him. Probably not, but stranger things have happened...

 

[solo]

Apparently Mitch Mustain wants to transfer from Arkansas. I guess he was not happy with his playing time and the fact that his high school coach left to be a asst coach at Tulsa.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2733190

I wonder what the Irish faithful feel about Mitch's loyalty since his decision came down to Notre Dame and Arkansas last year (if I remember correctly). I, for one, am glad that he did not choose ND.

Your thoughts...

As I recall:

1. Mitch signed with Arkansas with the understanding his HS coach would be the offensive coordinator and

2. That his HS coach would get to implement the offense and call the plays

Apparently, his HS coach did not truly get that opportunity and decided to leave. Who leaves Arkansas and goes to Tulsa? Obviosuly, all is not right there. Me thinks Houston Nutt made some promises to land a a recruit then backed out on those promises. And if that is the case, Mustain has every right to be upset and to transfer.

If he is just being a cry baby because he didn;t get enough playing time, that's an entirely different story.

 

[Brad50]

It doesn't say if the coach was fired or not, just that he left to take the job @Tulsa. It will be interesting to see what really happened @ Arkansas.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

My thoughts: This kid is a dumbass.

He has the chance to lead the Razorboacks team. They have good talent and can do well in the future. Instead he will most likely piss it away by going to a second rate school.

 

[FleaFlicker]

My thoughts: This kid is a dumbass.

He has the chance to lead the Razorboacks team. They have good talent and can do well in the future. Instead he will most likely piss it away by going to a second rate school.

Yeah, my guess is that you never hear of one FB accomplishment this guy ever makes. He would have been the starter next year at Arkansas, now he will have to sit out a year and be a QB at some second-rate school. Honestly, he looked pretty bad this year. He got to play as a True Freshman and played poorly, and he is complaining? Give me a break.

 

[grungejunky]

you should all just hope he doesn't try to transfer to usc to be with his former team mate damian williams. its hard to argue about the whining but when you look at the situation i think nutt sold these kids and their coach alot of BS in order to get them on board. mahlzan was probably told he could run the offense and mustain and the rest of the springdale click were probably told that they would star in it and turn the program around. rumors on the arkansas board are that he is considering usc, oklahoma, and tulsa. hope for one of the later two, or that he is as over rated as all the arkansas fans believe he is.

 

[Doomsday Device]

Yeah, my guess is that you never hear of one FB accomplishment this guy ever makes. He would have been the starter next year at Arkansas, now he will have to sit out a year and be a QB at some second-rate school. Honestly, he looked pretty bad this year. He got to play as a True Freshman and played poorly, and he is complaining? Give me a break.

So what, if he played poorly as a freshman. Quinn was probably worse and he turned out alright. Seeing as how Malzahn left Arkansas of his own accord to take the same position at a much smaller profile school, I'm guessing there's some legitimate problems Mustain has with Nutt. Everybody gets annoyed around here at the games some recruits play during recruiting, coaches shouldn't get a free pass either.

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

Yeah, my guess is that you never hear of one FB accomplishment this guy ever makes. He would have been the starter next year at Arkansas, now he will have to sit out a year and be a QB at some second-rate school. Honestly, he looked pretty bad this year. He got to play as a True Freshman and played poorly, and he is complaining? Give me a break.

I think Mustain is a baby and needs to grow up but on the other hand, I think Coach Nutt made him some promises in which he would be able to sling the ball all over the field, thats why 3 of his teammates joined the team. Honestly, I think its a good move on his part regardless of his shitty character. With Mcfadden and Felix Jones, I don't think he'd be slinging it much the next couple of years!

 

[jboxer562]

Is Dick gone next year?

 

[irish4life99]

I don't know, but his kid sounds like a primadonna. I know he was flip floping last year and looks like he's going to do it this year. The window to make an impact as a DivI QB is quite small. Looks like he's going to throw it all away. In 20 years he'll look back and realize what an idiot he was. Thanks CW for not making room for this kid. Does anyone remember the presser after LOI day last year when Weis said he promised Jones and Fraizer he was not going to take anymore QB's and only taking one on the next class? Shows right there that Mustain was very intrested in coming to ND.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Mustain tried to bluff last year & got caught. He didn't think Weis would get early commitments from both Frazer & Jones & he would sit back & make a dramatic announcement to nd. Luckily Weis kept his word & Mustain had to settle for the Hogs.

His mom & the rest of the Springdale High parents didn't go crying to AD about playing time; they wanted to know if they were lied to regarding the direction of the offense. Nutt lured all of them to UA w/ promises of running a more wide-open offense w/ their HS coach as OC. They wanted to know why the offense wasn't moving in the direction they were promised & wondered if their kids' would be better off at another university. Nutt couldn't let the entire Springdale 5 leave Ark (especially Mustain) so he sold the kids & their parents a bill of goods. Why else do you think Damian Williams & Ben Cleveland de-committed from Florida to join their buddies in F'ville? Unfortunately for them, they didn't follow their hearts and stay where their instincts led them in the 1st place. Those 2 would be wearing rings...now one is transferring to USC & the other probably to Tulsa w/ Mustain & Malzahn.

Nutt let Malzahn use a little of the spread in the USC game, USC hung 50 on 'em & Nutt's seat got hotter, so he went back to the traditional I formation only letting Malzahn incorporate the "Wildcat" formation as long as McFadden/Jones got the ball. You either have to commit to the spread or not...there's no half way. Malzahn will get to run HIS spread at Tulsa w/ equal pay at a lesser school but he'll be happy & will either follow Graham to higher profile job or step up to Head Coach if/when Graham gets wooed away in a few years. At least that's probably his plan. Malzahn has remained classy throughout the whole soap opera by staying mum on his fellow coaches & the springdale parents uprising. All of his fellow coaches were bitter that a high school coach was making more than they were as OC so they alienated him.

Nutt is a used car salesman & will tell a player whatever he wants to hear. I know making promises that aren't kept when recruiting is commonplace among all coaches, but Nutt has taken it to a new level. Ask any Boise St. fan what they think about Nutt & you'll hear the same thing. Luckily for them, after he left was when they started winning & gaining national prominence. Bartley Webb should be glad he chose ND early & stuck w/ it. I wish he could've lured Williams to South Bend after transferring from ARK.

Mustain probably should have stayed b/c all he had to do was beat out Casey Dick for the starter's job. If, after spring ball, he couldn't win the job, he shouldve transferred to lower division school b/c the current starter is no better than a backup at most schools. Hog fans are assuming Ben Cleveland will follow Mustain's exodus, but they are more fearful that the other WR recruits from last year will leave, too, b/c they came knowing a high powered offense w/ Mustain at the helm was going to be installed. After a 10 win season, it's all blown up in Nutt's face & he's back on the hot seat b/c of this PR disaster. Lucky for him he has a cupcake schedule next year...he'll need it b/c you McFadden will leave after his JR year. Stay tuned....

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

Mustain tried to bluff last year & got caught. He didn't think Weis would get early commitments from both Frazer & Jones & he would sit back & make a dramatic announcement to nd. Luckily Weis kept his word & Mustain had to settle for the Hogs.

His mom & the rest of the Springdale High parents didn't go crying to AD about playing time; they wanted to know if they were lied to regarding the direction of the offense. Nutt lured all of them to UA w/ promises of running a more wide-open offense w/ their HS coach as OC. They wanted to know why the offense wasn't moving in the direction they were promised & wondered if their kids' would be better off at another university. Nutt couldn't let the entire Springdale 5 leave Ark (especially Mustain) so he sold the kids & their parents a bill of goods. Why else do you think Damian Williams & Ben Cleveland de-committed from Florida to join their buddies in F'ville? Unfortunately for them, they didn't follow their hearts and stay where their instincts led them in the 1st place. Those 2 would be wearing rings...now one is transferring to USC & the other probably to Tulsa w/ Mustain & Malzahn.

Nutt let Malzahn use a little of the spread in the USC game, USC hung 50 on 'em & Nutt's seat got hotter, so he went back to the traditional I formation only letting Malzahn incorporate the "Wildcat" formation as long as McFadden/Jones got the ball. You either have to commit to the spread or not...there's no half way. Malzahn will get to run HIS spread at Tulsa w/ equal pay at a lesser school but he'll be happy & will either follow Graham to higher profile job or step up to Head Coach if/when Graham gets wooed away in a few years. At least that's probably his plan. Malzahn has remained classy throughout the whole soap opera by staying mum on his fellow coaches & the springdale parents uprising. All of his fellow coaches were bitter that a high school coach was making more than they were as OC so they alienated him.

Nutt is a used car salesman & will tell a player whatever he wants to hear. I know making promises that aren't kept when recruiting is commonplace among all coaches, but Nutt has taken it to a new level. Ask any Boise St. fan what they think about Nutt & you'll hear the same thing. Luckily for them, after he left was when they started winning & gaining national prominence. Bartley Webb should be glad he chose ND early & stuck w/ it. I wish he could've lured Williams to South Bend after transferring from ARK.

Mustain probably should have stayed b/c all he had to do was beat out Casey Dick for the starter's job. If, after spring ball, he couldn't win the job, he shouldve transferred to lower division school b/c the current starter is no better than a backup at most schools. Hog fans are assuming Ben Cleveland will follow Mustain's exodus, but they are more fearful that the other WR recruits from last year will leave, too, b/c they came knowing a high powered offense w/ Mustain at the helm was going to be installed. After a 10 win season, it's all blown up in Nutt's face & he's back on the hot seat b/c of this PR disaster. Lucky for him he has a cupcake schedule next year...he'll need it b/c you McFadden will leave after his JR year. Stay tuned....

Nice Post. Its nice hearing from somebody directly from Arkansas where this story is probably all over the news.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Yeah, that subject is burning up the talk radio waves, sportscasts, newspaper, you name it. That's the one thing about most SEC schools: college football is all they got and gets 100% attention. No pro teams to contend w/ in Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Kentucky & Arkansas. Plus, you can bet the Vols & LSU outrank the Titans & Saints respectively. Although, the Saints are putting up a good fight this year. Arkansas should've joined the Big 12. More natural rivalries and easier conference top to bottom. But the money is in the SEC.

 

[GoshenGipper]

Are you from NW Arkansas by any chance Dodger?

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Are you from NW Arkansas by any chance Dodger?

No, Little Rock.

 

[grungejunky]

yes a nice post too. it has alot more value to it than all this primadonna talk. mustain did want to go to nd, but he just didn't get on the bus on time. after brady lit up a couple defenses he wanted to join up. i recall the reason he cooled has something to do with cutcliffe leaving for tennessee. the bottom line is these kids were lied to from the outset and their coach was hired and handcuffed by nutt. nutt was really attempting to save his job at this time last year, he might be doing it again soon. hes not known for his recruiting and after mcfadden and jones leave the cupboard is gonna be bare. this is an example of recruiting lies and scams at its worst. worst than zook's buddy system.

 

[Satans Little Helper]

As I recall:

1. Mitch signed with Arkansas with the understanding his HS coach would be the offensive coordinator and

2. That his HS coach would get to implement the offense and call the plays

Apparently, his HS coach did not truly get that opportunity and decided to leave. Who leaves Arkansas and goes to Tulsa? Obviosuly, all is not right there. Me thinks Houston Nutt made some promises to land a a recruit then backed out on those promises. And if that is the case, Mustain has every right to be upset and to transfer.

If he is just being a cry baby because he didn;t get enough playing time, that's an entirely different story.

Dont forget he is not the only one of those 5 kids from springdale to come to Arkansas. A WR left recently to go to USC, and i believe another kid left as well. with the OC and Mustain leaving now, this smells to high heaven against Houston Nutt. I dont blame him though. you find a diamond in the rough with Jones and McFadden ( 1,000 yards a piece) I would use them too. Mustain and dick could not throw the ball effectively without getting picked. I believe if a coach offers promises then the kid should be wary. Its like a piece of crap in a box marked gauranteed. On the outside everything looks good because you know you are safe with that gaurantee, but if you look inside all you have is a gauranteed piece of shit.

 

[grantphilly]

I heard that he told CW he would commit if CW wanted him to and Charlie told him no thanks he was holdin out for the "10 year prospect" Jimmy Clausen

 

[nd1]

mitch mustain leaving ark

mitch mustain leaving ark

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2733190


wants to go with former high school coach.

 

[nd1]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2733190


wants to go with former high school coach.

sorry didn't see it posted

 

[FleaFlicker]

I think Mustain is a baby and needs to grow up but on the other hand, I think Coach Nutt made him some promises in which he would be able to sling the ball all over the field, thats why 3 of his teammates joined the team. Honestly, I think its a good move on his part regardless of his shitty character. With Mcfadden and Felix Jones, I don't think he'd be slinging it much the next couple of years!

Here's the thing though... Nutt would have been an idiot to sling the ball all over the field last year, they had two amazing running backs... who they were winning with, and when they DID try and pass, they weren't passing well... or effectively.

It is quite possible that Nutt told them it was going to be the exact same for the next few years, and not give them a chance, or Mulzahn a chance to run everything his way... but that is yet to be seen.

Nutt has got to win games, or he loses his job. He shouldn't have sold these kids and their coach a raw deal if he wasn't planning on it... But if I am a HC, and I get the Number 1 QB in the nation, and some other recruits who are great, and their HC from high school... I could very well plan on becoming a passing team real soon. But if... when the season starts out, I am running all over teams, and can't pass well at all, I'm going to go with what works. I'd be an idiot to do otherwise, even if I told those kids we would be passing the ball a lot this year.

It's not my fault it isn't working, if anything, it is Mustain and Gulzahn's fault for them not being able to pass effectively when given the chance. I'm sure Mustain would have gotten plenty of passing opportunities if he would have taken better advantage of them when they had them.

 

[Satans Little Helper]

Here's the thing though... Nutt would have been an idiot to sling the ball all over the field last year, they had two amazing running backs... who they were winning with, and when they DID try and pass, they weren't passing well... or effectively.

It is quite possible that Nutt told them it was going to be the exact same for the next few years, and not give them a chance, or Mulzahn a chance to run everything his way... but that is yet to be seen.

Nutt has got to win games, or he loses his job. He shouldn't have sold these kids and their coach a raw deal if he wasn't planning on it... But if I am a HC, and I get the Number 1 QB in the nation, and some other recruits who are great, and their HC from high school... I could very well plan on becoming a passing team real soon. But if... when the season starts out, I am running all over teams, and can't pass well at all, I'm going to go with what works. I'd be an idiot to do otherwise, even if I told those kids we would be passing the ball a lot this year.

It's not my fault it isn't working, if anything, it is Mustain and Gulzahn's fault for them not being able to pass effectively when given the chance. I'm sure Mustain would have gotten plenty of passing opportunities if he would have taken better advantage of them when they had them.

exactly. He either sold them bs or did not do what he had told them. eitherway a coach should never sell something just to get recruits. IF CW did that, i would be very displeased.