Houston Nutt's situation---what can we learn?

Being from Arkansas, here is my take on the Nutt deal.

He realizes that it is time to go (division in the fan base over off the field issues and "perceived" underachieving teams; banners flying over stadiums calling for him to be fired; fans wearing black shirts to games in protest; etc.).

He can't resign with his contract because he would owe the university $500,000 upon taking another job and forfeit a $2 million annuity that matures next year.

The university can't really afford to fire a coach that won 10 games last year, was in the SEC Championship game, had the Heisman runner-up, won 8 games this year and just knocked off the #1 team in the land.

The two parties agree that what would be best for everybody is to free Nutt from the contract, pay him as if he was fired, and part ways.

He looks good (leaving for the good of the program) and the university hasn't fired the coach.

anyone think he and admin were re-thinking the departure after the LSU game?




I would



If one game can get a coach fired, one game should get him cemented as the HC for a while?



gunslinger,

I thought I saw Ark. offer Nutt a two year extension? Am I mistaken?



Maybe they had second thoughts...............

They did offer him a two year extension, and he turned it down.

ESPN is reporting right now that he has agreed to become the head coach at Ole Miss.

Our HC last year led us to one of the best season's in 20 years.. we went 13-1 and lost in the semis.. had a large majority of the players coming back.. including a 30TD 2400 yard QB.. and a 1100 yard and 13 TD all-state receiver..

He left, I left as the OC.. and the OL coach left.. and they went 4-6 this year..

He left for a job in Texas that has been bad for a very long time.. Had lots to do with his inability to find common ground with the admin.. not that either was wrong.. just couldnt find common ground within things that they thought were important..

Didn't Houston also have to defend his marriage when he was attacked with accusations about being unfaithful to his wife? Kind of ironic that he is blasted with accusations about being unfaithful by those from the state of Slick Willy.

On the flip side of this whole story, what if Arkansas hires a guy who fails the program? I may be wrong but wasn't R.C. Slocum forced out at Texas A&M? Look at who they brought in and where their program is now.

Hard to draw parallels to from D-I to high school in this area. Other than work hard, don't cheat on your wife, and don't charge boosters for "inside" information. Coaches and Administrators are going to clash at any level - question to ask is "How bad do you want to coach at that school?"

Regarding head coaches, some guys just are just not wired to be a head coach. Look at the large number of OC and DC coaches who do a fantastic job as coordinators and then struggle with the mantle of being a head coach. THAT happens at any level.

I think Nutt at Ole Miss is interesting. It's gonna be tough recruiting there. They lack a lot in facilities, compared to the rest of the SEC.

They get good athletes though. And one thing is for sure. They'll be able to run the ball at some point in his tenure. It seems like he led the SEC in rushing every year and was probably close.