‘Unacceptable’ play negates any positive spin

FAYETTEVILLE — Upon the untimely death of unassuming yet iconic Arkansas broadcaster Paul Eells, Chuck Barrett seamlessly transitioned from stirring-thepot sports radio talk-show host to “Voice of the Razorbacks.”

Chuck did and does well two very different jobs. He has long adapted into providing a professional but perpetually positive spin required of a college team’s play-byplay man and coach’s TV and radio show host.

Last Saturday, though, Barrett must have been tempted to re-live his old talk show life. Because after the Razorbacks’ 52-6 SEC loss Saturday to the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Starkville, Miss., ever-effervescent Arkansas Coach Chad Morris so stepped out of character into public frustration that, on the old talk show, Chuck would have had enough material to carry him through those little-about-Razorbacks-to-discuss months of June and July.

After nine of the games of the now 2-9 Razorbacks, he assumed last December from fired five-year Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema off a 4-8 overall/1-7 SEC season, Morris spotted positives to tout and promise that the attitude and pride abounded to build upon.

He was outwardly disgruntled, but just disgruntled, when the now 0-7 in the SEC Hogs lost 45-31 on Oct. 27 to Vanderbilt in Fayetteville, a game he obviously expected Arkansas to win.

But last Saturday in Starkville … well, for openers, in the postgame locker room radio interview, here’s how Morris responded to Barrett’s opener of: “Your thoughts on the game.”

“Completely unacceptable,” the coach replied. “Totally disappointed. Just unacceptable in all areas coaching, playing — all areas. Totally, totally just disgusted with the effort that was put out on this field all day long. It’s totally unacceptable. It’s not what we’re about. It’s not what this program is going to be built on.”

Smoothly, Chuck tried to provide a web for the coach’s positive spin.

“Seems like there are always four or five plays that change the course of a ballgame and it seems like there were a handful of those today.”

Morris couldn’t spin it much beyond one complete sentence.

“Yeah, you’re right, Chuck, there is,” Morris said. “And there are a few out there I wish we could have made and had some opportunities early on that we could have kept it going, but overall, Chuck, it was completely unacceptable.”

Chuck gave it one last college try about Sunday’s start to preparations for Friday’s finale at Missouri.

“Well, we are going to get back in here tomorrow and we’re going to coach our butt off,” Morris said. “And we are going to take as many guys that want to show up and play, and coaches that want to show up and coach. That’s what we’re going to take. And we’re going to put our best foot forward and move forward, but just totally, totally unacceptable.”

Thanksgiving Thursday to the contrary, this does not promise to be a week these Razorbacks are apt to feel thankful for being around their coach.