Drama in Arkansas - The Orange Mane

shakenbake · 12-14-2006, 10:43 AM

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2696812

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Houston Nutt hopes the drama surrounding his football team is over now.

The Arkansas coach said Wednesday he would let freshman receiver Damian Williams transfer amid concerns voiced by several parents about the direction of the Razorbacks' offense.

Williams' parents, along with those of two other freshmen, met with athletic director Frank Broyles last week to raise concerns that their sons might not be a good fit for the Razorbacks' system. Parents of quarterback Mitch Mustain and tight end Ben Cleveland were also at the meeting -- all three players went to Springdale High School.

Nutt said he believes Mustain and Cleveland are "100 percent committed."

"I'm excited about Ben, excited about Mitch, and we are going forward," Nutt said. "And we're going to be very, very, very positive from this day forward."

Williams, a freshman who played high school football at Springdale, is tied for second on the No. 12 Razorbacks with 19 catches. Marcus Monk leads with 49. Williams was named to the Southeastern Conference's all-freshman team last week.

Arkansas will face No. 6 Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl on New Year's Day.

Williams was one of four star players from Springdale who signed with Arkansas in February. Mustain, Cleveland and receiver Andrew Norman also went to Springdale. The Razorbacks hired Springdale coach Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator last December.

Until Nutt's announcement Wednesday, the biggest news of the day concerned Beck Campbell, Mustain's mother. Campbell released a statement about the meeting with Broyles, saying the parents respected Nutt's prerogative to shape the team's strategy.

Campbell said she discussed concerns about her son's future as a football player. Campbell said she did not seek promises or guarantees, and that playing time was not an issue.

"It was agreed by all parties involved that the head coach has the valid right to determine the direction of the program and the manner in which the team would develop," she said.

Mustain was one of the nation's most sought-after recruits last year.

Rick Cleveland, the tight end's father, said the parents understand Arkansas can run whatever offense it's comfortable with, but he's concerned the Springdale players might have been sold "a bill of goods" during recruiting.

"Our boys are used to catching 60 passes a year," Cleveland told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. "They want to go to a college where they get the same opportunity."

It was the latest distraction for the Razorbacks as they wrap up their best season in years. Led by tailback Darren McFadden's SEC-leading 1,558 yards -- a school record -- Arkansas (10-3) bounced back from two straight losing seasons to win the SEC West. But lately there's been as much talk about Mustain and his fellow freshmen as about Arkansas' upcoming bowl.

A recent book about Springdale's season last year attributed quotes critical of Nutt to Mustain. According to the book, Mustain questioned the sophistication of Arkansas' offense during the recruiting process. He also made an off-the-cuff comment after Nutt took credit for a play call following an Arkansas win. The quarterback said Arkansas "would have a better chance of getting me" if Nutt were fired.

Nutt said he felt the book had been weighing on Mustain. The freshman started eight games -- all wins -- before being replaced by Casey Dick last month. Mustain has completed 52.5 percent of his passes this season for 853 yards with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

"I had a good meeting with Mitch earlier in the week, and he apologized to me. He wants to be here, he wants to be a Razorback, and he wants to compete for this job, and I'm excited about that," Nutt said. "Ben Cleveland, I just met with him, he's very, very excited. He wanted to be here, and he's putting everything aside. He wants to be a Razorback, and I accept that 100 percent."

"Damian Williams, unfortunately, he could not accept things the way they are, and he's asked for his release and I have granted his release and he'll have that [Thursday] morning, and I wish him the best," Nutt said.

Williams had initially said he was going to go to Florida, but he switched to Arkansas just before signing day. Mustain, Cleveland and Norman had already committed by that time.

Rick Cleveland said the parents who met with Broyles were concerned about Malzahn's control over the offense. Springdale used a spread offense last year, and the passing game played a bigger role than it has at Arkansas this season.

McFadden, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, and Felix Jones, another 1,000-yard rusher, have been big reasons for that. Nutt said the Razorbacks will eventually do more on offense, but that he and his team couldn't afford to think long-term after struggling in 2004 and 2005.

"Y'all know as well as I know -- we had to win this year," Nutt said. "We had to win. That's what y'all told me. We had to win this year. That's what we did -- tried to put our players first."

Malzahn's influence on the offense has been a hot topic around Arkansas.

"We couldn't have won 10 games if there's chemistry flaws," Nutt said.

Nutt admitted that his team had been affected by the recent drama, particularly the book.

"I had to really talk to my seniors hard, because they were hurting for me," Nutt said. "I said, 'Listen, don't worry about me. ... I don't want you bothering Mitch or Ben."'

"We have all said silly things," Nutt said. "We've all said dumb things. No one ... has been there with a tape recorder."

Nutt said he wanted any transfer talk resolved as soon as possible.

"I asked them all to go ahead and get out if they're not happy. Get out now -- don't take advantage of me with the [Capital One] Bowl," Nutt said. "We've got too many Magic Kingdom rides, we have too many other things to do."

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

shakenbake · 12-14-2006, 12:49 PM

This story is too funny. Sounds like it is getting lots on play on sports radio. Mitch's Mommy is upset and worried about her boy's college football career. Never mind that Arkansas had the best running back in the nation. That may have something to do with no throwing the ball all the time. Mitch sounds like a punk. I thought the whole thing was weird with the springdale coach getting hired and then bringing in all those guys. It seemed a little dirty to me at the time. It will be funny to see how this all plays out. I would like to read that book, maybe I will check it out over winter break.

SoonerBronco · 12-15-2006, 01:46 PM

When I saw this thread, I thought it was going to be about some incest, hillbilly thing.

shakenbake · 12-15-2006, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerBronco

When I saw this thread, I thought it was going to be about some incest, hillbilly thing.

Nah, that would be an Oklahomo thread.

SoonerBronco · 12-15-2006, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakenbake

Nah, that would be an Oklahomo thread.

Arkie · 12-16-2006, 02:49 PM

Why are wide receivers so dumb?

Gus Malzahn was an offensive genius at the high school level using a wide open passing attack. This year at Arkansas, Malzahn brought over the wildcat and created a dangerous offensive attack that took advantage of the Hogs' most talented player. The Razorbacks ran the wildcat more towards the end of the season. They ran it 52 times for 453 yards and 8 touchdowns. (McFadden was 5/5 for 70 passing yards 2 touchdowns.) I will take that 9 yard average per play over a whiney WR any day. Adios, freshman. I already forgot your name.

Also, I don't see what's so dirty about a group of players wanting to play for their high school coach. Has that never happened before?

shakenbake · 12-16-2006, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arkie

Also, I don't see what's so dirty about a group of players wanting to play for their high school coach. Has that never happened before?

Maybe dirty isn't the right word. It just has "package deal" written all over it. Supposedly, in the Book Mustain has some pretty disparaging things to say about Nutt. They hire his high school coach and all of the sudden he has a change of heart. It looks as though a High School coach said hey you hire me and I can deliver A,B, and C player. Its not technically "dirty" but something about it doesn't seem quite right. I guess that is the way of college football recruiting no matter where you are.

shakenbake · 12-16-2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerBronco

Funny, how does it feel to lose to a "bunch of homos" 2 years in a row. Next year we will make it three!

Arkie · 12-16-2006, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakenbake

Maybe dirty isn't the right word. It just has "package deal" written all over it. Supposedly, in the Book Mustain has some pretty disparaging things to say about Nutt. They hire his high school coach and all of the sudden he has a change of heart. It looks as though a High School coach said hey you hire me and I can deliver A,B, and C player. Its not technically "dirty" but something about it doesn't seem quite right. I guess that is the way of college football recruiting no matter where you are.

Everybody knows that Malzahn delivered those players. He helped make them in high school and put them on the recruiting map. I think its okay for him to have first dibs if those players want to stay with him.

Dr. Broncenstein · 12-17-2006, 02:06 AM

Nutt just needs to go... I've been hating him for years. Mustain should worry about figuring out his head from his ass... and quit throwing into triple coverage. With McFadden and Jones in the backfield, he should have absolutely killed teams on play action. Casey Dick pretty much sucks, but he played 10x better than this whiny punkass. Cleveland is the only one of the bunch that I give a damn about... and this stunt is wearing out his welcome as well.

youcandoit1687 · 12-17-2006, 03:08 AM

what has malzahn said?

SoonerBronco · 12-18-2006, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakenbake

Funny, how does it feel to lose to a "bunch of homos" 2 years in a row. Next year we will make it three!

How did it feel to sit at home while we won the Big XII Championship? Have fun in San Antonio!

NaptownChief · 12-29-2006, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerBronco

How did it feel to sit at home while we won the Big XII Championship? Have fun in San Antonio!

Based on the way the bowls are playing out so far winning that championship title looks like something similar to winning the Big Sky Conference. I thought the Big Ten and SEC had a down year but the Big 12 appears to really had a down year.

12-14-2006, 10:43 AM	#1
shakenbake Texas Homer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Shanghai, China Posts: 3,136	Drama in Arkansas http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2696812 LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Houston Nutt hopes the drama surrounding his football team is over now. The Arkansas coach said Wednesday he would let freshman receiver Damian Williams transfer amid concerns voiced by several parents about the direction of the Razorbacks' offense. Williams' parents, along with those of two other freshmen, met with athletic director Frank Broyles last week to raise concerns that their sons might not be a good fit for the Razorbacks' system. Parents of quarterback Mitch Mustain and tight end Ben Cleveland were also at the meeting -- all three players went to Springdale High School. Nutt said he believes Mustain and Cleveland are "100 percent committed." "I'm excited about Ben, excited about Mitch, and we are going forward," Nutt said. "And we're going to be very, very, very positive from this day forward." Williams, a freshman who played high school football at Springdale, is tied for second on the No. 12 Razorbacks with 19 catches. Marcus Monk leads with 49. Williams was named to the Southeastern Conference's all-freshman team last week. Arkansas will face No. 6 Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl on New Year's Day. Williams was one of four star players from Springdale who signed with Arkansas in February. Mustain, Cleveland and receiver Andrew Norman also went to Springdale. The Razorbacks hired Springdale coach Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator last December. Until Nutt's announcement Wednesday, the biggest news of the day concerned Beck Campbell, Mustain's mother. Campbell released a statement about the meeting with Broyles, saying the parents respected Nutt's prerogative to shape the team's strategy. Campbell said she discussed concerns about her son's future as a football player. Campbell said she did not seek promises or guarantees, and that playing time was not an issue. "It was agreed by all parties involved that the head coach has the valid right to determine the direction of the program and the manner in which the team would develop," she said. Mustain was one of the nation's most sought-after recruits last year. Rick Cleveland, the tight end's father, said the parents understand Arkansas can run whatever offense it's comfortable with, but he's concerned the Springdale players might have been sold "a bill of goods" during recruiting. "Our boys are used to catching 60 passes a year," Cleveland told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. "They want to go to a college where they get the same opportunity." It was the latest distraction for the Razorbacks as they wrap up their best season in years. Led by tailback Darren McFadden's SEC-leading 1,558 yards -- a school record -- Arkansas (10-3) bounced back from two straight losing seasons to win the SEC West. But lately there's been as much talk about Mustain and his fellow freshmen as about Arkansas' upcoming bowl. A recent book about Springdale's season last year attributed quotes critical of Nutt to Mustain. According to the book, Mustain questioned the sophistication of Arkansas' offense during the recruiting process. He also made an off-the-cuff comment after Nutt took credit for a play call following an Arkansas win. The quarterback said Arkansas "would have a better chance of getting me" if Nutt were fired. Nutt said he felt the book had been weighing on Mustain. The freshman started eight games -- all wins -- before being replaced by Casey Dick last month. Mustain has completed 52.5 percent of his passes this season for 853 yards with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. "I had a good meeting with Mitch earlier in the week, and he apologized to me. He wants to be here, he wants to be a Razorback, and he wants to compete for this job, and I'm excited about that," Nutt said. "Ben Cleveland, I just met with him, he's very, very excited. He wanted to be here, and he's putting everything aside. He wants to be a Razorback, and I accept that 100 percent." "Damian Williams, unfortunately, he could not accept things the way they are, and he's asked for his release and I have granted his release and he'll have that [Thursday] morning, and I wish him the best," Nutt said. Williams had initially said he was going to go to Florida, but he switched to Arkansas just before signing day. Mustain, Cleveland and Norman had already committed by that time. Rick Cleveland said the parents who met with Broyles were concerned about Malzahn's control over the offense. Springdale used a spread offense last year, and the passing game played a bigger role than it has at Arkansas this season. McFadden, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, and Felix Jones, another 1,000-yard rusher, have been big reasons for that. Nutt said the Razorbacks will eventually do more on offense, but that he and his team couldn't afford to think long-term after struggling in 2004 and 2005. "Y'all know as well as I know -- we had to win this year," Nutt said. "We had to win. That's what y'all told me. We had to win this year. That's what we did -- tried to put our players first." Malzahn's influence on the offense has been a hot topic around Arkansas. "We couldn't have won 10 games if there's chemistry flaws," Nutt said. Nutt admitted that his team had been affected by the recent drama, particularly the book. "I had to really talk to my seniors hard, because they were hurting for me," Nutt said. "I said, 'Listen, don't worry about me. ... I don't want you bothering Mitch or Ben."' "We have all said silly things," Nutt said. "We've all said dumb things. No one ... has been there with a tape recorder." Nutt said he wanted any transfer talk resolved as soon as possible. "I asked them all to go ahead and get out if they're not happy. Get out now -- don't take advantage of me with the [Capital One] Bowl," Nutt said. "We've got too many Magic Kingdom rides, we have too many other things to do." Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

12-14-2006, 12:49 PM	#2
shakenbake Texas Homer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Shanghai, China Posts: 3,136	This story is too funny. Sounds like it is getting lots on play on sports radio. Mitch's Mommy is upset and worried about her boy's college football career. Never mind that Arkansas had the best running back in the nation. That may have something to do with no throwing the ball all the time. Mitch sounds like a punk. I thought the whole thing was weird with the springdale coach getting hired and then bringing in all those guys. It seemed a little dirty to me at the time. It will be funny to see how this all plays out. I would like to read that book, maybe I will check it out over winter break.

12-15-2006, 01:46 PM	#3
SoonerBronco Rocket Man Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 1,978 Adopt-a-Bronco: Wahoo McDaniel	When I saw this thread, I thought it was going to be about some incest, hillbilly thing.

12-16-2006, 02:49 PM	#6
Arkie Ring of Famer Gggggrrrrrr rrrraaaahhh Arrrrhhhn. Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 9,082 Adopt-a-Bronco: Quinton Carter	Why are wide receivers so dumb? Gus Malzahn was an offensive genius at the high school level using a wide open passing attack. This year at Arkansas, Malzahn brought over the wildcat and created a dangerous offensive attack that took advantage of the Hogs' most talented player. The Razorbacks ran the wildcat more towards the end of the season. They ran it 52 times for 453 yards and 8 touchdowns. (McFadden was 5/5 for 70 passing yards 2 touchdowns.) I will take that 9 yard average per play over a whiney WR any day. Adios, freshman. I already forgot your name. Also, I don't see what's so dirty about a group of players wanting to play for their high school coach. Has that never happened before?

12-17-2006, 02:06 AM	#10
Dr. Broncenstein Overdriven Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Sterile Fields Posts: 11,618 Adopt-a-Bronco: Wesley Woodyard	Nutt just needs to go... I've been hating him for years. Mustain should worry about figuring out his head from his ass... and quit throwing into triple coverage. With McFadden and Jones in the backfield, he should have absolutely killed teams on play action. Casey Dick pretty much sucks, but he played 10x better than this whiny punkass. Cleveland is the only one of the bunch that I give a damn about... and this stunt is wearing out his welcome as well.

12-17-2006, 03:08 AM	#11
youcandoit1687 homer Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,602 Adopt-a-Bronco: Chris Myers	what has malzahn said?