Third choice might be the best - My thoughts

Sometime in the next several years, it is likely that we will look back on the Friday announcement of Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator as a the day when it all finally came together, when the final piece of the puzzle was laid. There exists the good chance that Mitch Mustain will continue to flirt with Notre Dame for a while, but eventually decide to come play for his coach at the school he committed to, but even if that doesn't happen - this was the right move now.

The best move would have been to put Wittke in charge of the offense BEFORE this season started, then we would be talking about Malzahn joining an offensive staff on the way to a bowl game. That not being done then effectively removed the option of promoting him now, because the pitchfork-and-torches crowd need more change. Cutcliffe or one of the other experienced OC's coming in might have been the second best option, affording Malzahn the chance to be on the staff, improve the offense with his input, yet learn the college and SEC nuances without having all the responsibility. Soon, he could have taken over the offense.

Which brings us to the third - yet probably the best - option. For some time now, it was known that Malzahn would be in the Razorback coaches' offensive meetings next year. Yesterday's press conference was to announce the capacity that has been decided for his job. Folks on the outside looking in may see it as a decision to get more of the Springdale kids. I would, were I in thier shoes, and I would also be uneasy about the Hog offense moving out of the classification "proven commodity". But since he was already coming, that is not the factor it is painted by so many who wish to diparage this hire.

While it is a gamble to thrust a high school coach into the mouths of SEC defenses, Gus Malzahn is the offensive mind for the job. He has good/great tools already in place, and just might have some more on the way. Nonetheless, this move solves the problems plaguing Arkansas' offense for some time. No more timeouts to decide the next play.  No more of the head coach having to split attention during the game between the officials and the game calling.  We have a real chance to get the offense running as a well oiled machine.  Good timing, too, since Reggie Herring is solving the defensive problems.

I have always felt if the problems could be fixed, the Razorback football program would be best served with Houston Nutt as the head coach.  I feel certain that the Razorbacks and thier fans are headed for a whole new level of success.

---

Yahoo! Shopping
Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Yahoo! Shopping

AN OPEN LETTER TO HOUSTON NUTT

"We are SO CLOSE"

Close to winning the SEC?
Close to winning the West?
Close to operating an SEC level offense and defense in the same game?
Close to 9 wins?
8?
7?
Close to a bowl season?

I'm sorry, Houston.  I know what you mean, and you're right.  We are very close.

We were close this year.  In the Vandy game, we were moving the offense until someone decided to completely abandon any idea of a multi-faceted offense.  Four similar running plays failed to get us a score.  But we were close.

Several times during the season, scenarios just like this presented themselves - short yardage, and the running game fails to pick up the game-changing/game-deciding first down.  Yes, sometimes we tried to pass.  But the plays called for the 'running game' - our eventual pronounced strength - failed when the games were on the line.  that would sort of go against the description of us as a "running team".

Third quarter of the SC game winding down, and Spurrier's team gets the ball with the wind behind them, on the less windy end of the field, and 6 seconds on the clock.  Yes, you told the defense to watch for the deep pass.  Perhaps that was a GOOD spot for a timeout, but our team spends TOO MANY of those just to get plays in - just to plan for McFadden off-tackle.

I have defended your offense for several years, and have pointed continually to production enough from the offense to win many games we did not.  You offense has been good.  But just a few wrong play calls, a few ill-used timeouts, a few frantic times of not being able to do everything at once - and the Hog football team lands on the wrong side of "close".

You should have the right to garner the praise when this assemblage of talent starts to produce as so many of us feel we are "close" to doing.  Hire someone from outside to come in and call the plays during the game, and a 'pretty good' season of 7 or 8 wins and much promise for next year keeps your job for 2007.  If you promote Wittke or continue to call the plays yourself, and you may have to win 9 or 10.  Auburn, 'Bama, USC, LSU and Spurrier are still on the schedule, last I checked.  "Close" is not gonna cut it under those circumstances.

I personally think Wittke should run the offense, and he and Gus should call ALL of the plays.  It will still be your offense, you'll still get the credit.  And you just might settle into a long stint here at your dream job.  Frank Broyles seems to be saying the ball is squarely in your court.  Sounds to me like someone giving a coach enough rope to hang himself.

Make the right call.

We need someone to do ONLY the job of an OC during the game.  You have lots of things to do.

We are so close.