Bowden out, UA continues search
Posted on Wednesday, December 5, 2007
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ coaching search took an about-face Tuesday, putting incoming athletic director and search coordinator Jeff Long... where ?
Clemson Coach Tommy Bowden apparently had an overnight change of heart, declining an overture from Arkansas to succeed Houston Nutt as the Razorbacks’ head football coach.
A source close to the negotiation said Arkansas was ready to present Bowden a multiyear contract worth more than $ 2 million per year, but in a news conference announcing his acceptance of a raise and contract extension at Clemson, Bowden said he was “never offered” a job by Long during talks Monday night.
Meanwhile, in Arkansas, the speculation quickly turned to Long’s next move.
A source close to the search said Long might have targeted Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher as his next top candidate. Fisher, 42, has been considered a hot head coaching prospect for several years. He has 13 years of coaching experience in the SEC, including a seven-year stint as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at LSU from 2000-2006.
Fisher is reportedly in talks that would assure he would succeed longtime Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden two years from now.
Also Tuesday, there appeared to be a grass-roots movement in support of Tulsa offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, the 2006 Arkansas offensive coordinator who interviewed with Long on Sunday night. Malzahn was in New York for Tulsa quarterback Paul Smith’s appearance as a Draddy Award finalist and could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Given Long’s presence in the Carolinas, the names of two other potential candidates resurfaced: Wake Forest’s Jim Grobe and East Carolina’s Skip Holtz, who played at Fayetteville High School when his father, Lou, coached the Razorbacks.
Grobe received a 10-year contract after leading Wake Forest to the Orange Bowl last season. The deal is reportedly worth approximately $ 1. 1 million per season and has an undisclosed buyout. As a private school, Wake Forest’s contracts are not open to public records disclosure.
Grobe recently told the Winston-Salem (N. C. ) Journal that he’d listen to any offer that came along but that he’s happy at Wake Forest.
“I think Wake Forest feels comfortable with our staff and with myself, and we feel comfortable at Wake Forest,” Grobe told the Journal. “It’s a good situation because it’s unusual both sides are happy.” Arkansas interim head coach Reggie Herring’s candidacy is still thought to have a pulse, particularly if Long’s list gets to coordinators. Herring reaffirmed his interest Tuesday, but said again he would not politick for the job.
Long has not addressed the media since last Wednesday and has vowed to run a secretive search.
His interest in Bowden, however, was spilling all over the state Monday.
Sources close to the Clemson program said the prevailing sentiment overnight was that Bowden was prepared to leave for Arkansas. But Bowden sounded a different tone during his media conference with Clemson Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips on Tuesday.
“I fully intended when I came here nine years ago to make this our last stop,” Bowden said.
Clemson’s new offer to Bowden is near $ 1. 7 million per year, according to The State newspaper in Columbia, S. C., with incentives that could take the package beyond $ 2. 1 million. Clemson is also offering a seven-year extension that will take the contract through 2014 and will raise his buyout plan, which was set to drop from its current level of $ 2. 5 million to $ 500, 000 after the 2008 season. The new buyout would never drop below $ 2 million.
The Clemson board of trustees convened an emergency meeting at 10 a.m. Eastern time Tuesday to discuss Bowden’s financial issues.
Phillips, the former Arkansas player and administrator, was asked if he thought Bowden was about to jump to Arkansas.
“Any time someone has talked with your coach, there’s always a chance,” said Phillips, who negotiated the new package over the phone from the National Football Foundation activities in New York before returning to Clemson.
“Arkansas has a lot to sell,” he said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for someone.” Receiving interest from Arkansas in its search is apparently helping guys named Tommy pad their investment accounts.
Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville, who was regarded as a top candidate for the Razorbacks, agreed to a two-year extension on Tuesday.
“We are excited about it,” Tuberville told The Huntsville Times. “It’s one of those things where we worked it slow. I know people have been anxious. I haven’t been looking at any other jobs and don’t want another job. I love Auburn.” Malzahn’s prospects for landing the head coaching job would receive support by some members of the UA board of trustees, despite his presence on the Arkansas staff during last year’s rift between Coach Houston Nutt and signees from Springdale, where Malzahn’s coaching star was born.
In his first season as offensive coordinator at Tulsa, Malzahn’s Spread offense was a wonder. Behind senior quarterback Paul Smith, the Golden Hurricane (9-4 ) led the nation with 542. 5 total yards per game.
Tulsa also ranked third in the country with 374. 6 passing yards per game and 10 th with 39. 5 points per game. The Golden Hurricane lost the Conference USA Championship Game 44-25 against Central Florida and will face Bowling Green in the GMAC Bowl.
Long also has interviewed Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English and has talked to a variety of sources within college football.
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