John L. Smith Will Coach Arkansas

Hogitall

I'm concerned about hiring a coach away from another school at this late date. However, I think we will understand more about the move following the press conference tomorrow. Remember there were concerns about the firing of BP until after Jeff Long's press conference, and then it all made sense. I'm hoping for better clarification after tomorrows press conference. The players seem very happy, so from that stand point it is a good move.

AllTideUp

@Hogitall Maybe it's a rental? And Smith will go back to Weber St at the end of the year? lol Who knows.

Hogitall

@AllTideUp

Rental? Not a bad idea. : ) .. a coaches rent-a-center.

Seriously, I'm wondering if JLS is thinking about early retirement (currently 63 yrs old). I heard on one of the sports shows that JLS' salary at WS was around 130-140K. The salary at UofA is 850K + bonus opportunities. Let's say the Hogs have a good year and his total take is 1M. It would take 7 yrs at WS to make what he could make in 1 yr at UofA. Even if he stays only one year he is still ahead of the game money wise at the age of 64. I think 900k would hold him over until age 65.

I agreed with this site's suggestion of going the Interim route, so I'm happy that Long went with it. I do feel bad for Webster, as they now have to go back on the hunt for a coach after spending a spring learning the system of a guy who just arrived and has now just departed. This fall will be very interesting to see how well a team can move forward without the man who formed it. It will definitely show what impact Petrino's analysis and pre-game preparation play in the team's success versus its overall preparation within the system he favored. Will the team rise above their mentor?

HogFanTN

If the players are happy, and it seems they are with the tweets, I'll take this hire and be happy. We have a stable of studs who know Smith and will play with extra motivation. We all know winning solves problems and if the Hogs win big this year, recruiting will take care of itself coupled with a big name hire. The money will be there for a top coach and we'll have plenty of opportunity to find the right guy.

Can it go wrong? Of course. Each hire can. But I think it serves as the best short term solution to hire someone familiar with the program and players.