10 coaches, 57 years of Arkansas football
Just days away from the kickoff of another football season, and for the first time in a while the Razorbacks Nation is full of hope and expectations.
National media are deeply impressed with the Arkansas Razorbacks’ late- season turnaround that included shutouts against LSU and Ole Miss, and a manhandling of Texas. Any victory over the Longhorns is sweeter than honey on homemade biscuits.
Going back to 1975, it is easy to remember more seasons starting with high hopes than those that didn’t, and with that in mind, here’s a look at the head coaches over the years, and these are listed chronologically. It would be impossible to compare Frank Broyles to Bret Bielema.
Times have changed. Recruiting is a different animal and social media has had a huge impact on player suspensions, etc.
FRANK BROYLES ( 19581976, 144- 58- 5 overall record) — Broyles was a CEO in an era when the greats like Bear Bryant, Darrell Royal and Broyles were the unquestioned bosses. They watched practice from elevated platforms and met with assistants to discuss what they had seen. He won the 1964 FWAA national championship.
Broyles was so strong a personality and had so many assistants go on to head- coaching jobs that David Bazzel created the highly successful Broyles Award for the top college assistant coach. Barry Switzer, Jimmy Johnson and Pete Carroll all were on Broyles’ staff in some capacity, and they are the only three head coaches to win both a college football national championship and a Super Bowl.
LOU HOLTZ ( 1977- 1983, 60- 21- 2) — Holtz was a mad scientist on offense, and that made his play- calling difficult to predict and defend. He was a hard, driving coach who came from a life of extreme poverty as a child. He was consumed with success and making money. Won a national championship at Notre Dame.
KEN HATFIELD ( 19841989, 55- 17- 1) — A coach who cared as much about his players off the field as on it. He loved his Flexbone offense; but the fans, thirsty for more offense, were willing to trade Cotton Bowls for Independence Bowls. Deeply religious man who never flinched. Also had success at Clemson and Rice after leaving Arkansas the week after finding out Broyles received a five- year contract extension as athletic director.
JACK CROWE ( 1990- 1991, 9- 15) — Great guy who was thrust into the SEC before he was ready.
JOE KINES ( 1992, interim, 3- 6- 1) — Another great man, defensive genius, who wasn’t ready to be a head coach in the SEC.
DANNY FORD ( 19931997, 26- 30- 1) — Was a throwback to the Broyles era, playing the role of CEO at a time when hands- on coaching and recruiting were critical.
HOUSTON NUTT ( 19982007, 75- 48) — Almost survived the most tumultuous times in Arkansas football, got a generous buyout to go to Ole Miss, where he got another buyout. He was a motivator and players’ coach. Loved high- percentage football.
BOBBY PETRINO ( 20082011, 34- 17) — Put Arkansas Razorbacks football back on the map. Like Holtz, he was a hard driver whose motto seemed to be “my way or the highway.” Great offensive mind.
JOHN L. SMITH ( 2012, 4- 8) — During his one season, he claimed he was the head coach at Alabama.
BRET BIELEMA ( 2013- present, 10- 15) — Stickler for details, high- percentage football but is not afraid to gamble. Truly believes he will win the SEC Championship. Others do as well because he has fixed, not patched, the Razorbacks program in two seasons. A players’ coach who makes all of his guys, from stars to walk- ons, feel like family.