The Bielema dilemma

As a former proud graduate of the University of Arkansas (before it needed a locator town in its address), I feel compelled to offer my input on the Bielema dilemma. If the sainted Frank Broyles had not schemed to dismantle the Southwest Conference in pursuit of the almighty dollar, things might not have reached the current condition of a ridiculous $15.4 million buyout for the obviously relaxed coach of the Hogs. The university might have remained a facility intended to function as an academic institution where some students played football, rather than attempting to become a minor-league stepping stone for NFL aspirants.

So is there any kind of buyout for the perpetrator of the current conundrum, Athletic Director Jeff Long? If not, why not let Long ease out the door in search of other opportunities, as it were? Maybe someone can then prevail upon my fellow North Little Rock High School alum, Jerry Jones, to step in as interim A.D. I hear Jones has some sort of experience in running a football team. Then he can select a fellow interim person as football coach and then re-assign Bret Bielema to duty as the special kicking coach, as a sort of cosmic karma reward for the way he denigrated the team’s kicker.

Back in the days when college football was considered a sport and not a business, many would have risen to criticize Bielema for his asinine remarks about a young collegian who had failed to be perfect. Surely all football fans in Arkansas have come to the dawning realization that as poorly as recruiting goes for the Razorbacks, it will now become astonishingly difficult, as young athletes—and their parents—contemplate attendance at a college where the head football coach publicly mocks a player who comes up short.

Some might consider this behavior far more tasteless and unacceptable than that of previously ousted coaches Houston Nutt and Bobby Petrino.

JACK W. HILL

Bismarck