A year of changes on 'The Hill' comes to a close
Off the foul Pohl
Bart Pohlman
Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: Sports
It's safe to say that it's been a year of change in Hog Heaven.
In the fall, Jeff Long was chosen as the UA's new athletic director following the retirement of Frank Broyles.
In October, John Pelphrey began his first season as Arkansas head basketball coach.
After the football regular season had ended, Houston Nutt announced his resignation as head football coach, and in December, Bobby Petrino was introduced as the new Razorback head football coach.
In January, UA Chancellor John White announced his retirement and David Gearhart was named as his replacement.
And finally, legendary Arkansas cross country and track and field head coach John McDonnell announced his intentions to retire at the end of the outdoor season.
What does it all mean?
Well, the winds of change are blowing through Fayetteville, that's for sure.
Long has been very active in the comings and goings of coaches, and has constantly been looking for ways to improve the athletic department.
Pelphrey's intense and exciting demeanor is a far cry from the polite, yet sullen stares of Stan Heath.
Petrino has introduced a much more professional, almost businesslike approach to Razorback football. His style is a far cry from the "good 'ole boy" days of Nutt.
It's yet to be seen the impact Gearhart will have on the athletic department, or whether he, like his predecessor, gets himself too involved.
Then there's McDonnell, who led Arkansas to 42 national championships and will be dearly missed by the Razorback community.
It's gotten to the point where it's almost too hard to keep track of all the changes being made at the UA.
There are, of course, the traditionalists - those who don't like change.
But change can be a good thing, too. Just ask Michael Jackson…on second thought, don't ask Michael Jackson.
In reality, changes happen all the time.
Whether it's moving to a new city, getting a new job or switching majors, life throws plenty of changes at everyone.
I think the character of Eric Matthews on Boy Meets World said it best: "It's not the changes that matter, it's how you react to those changes. That's what makes you who you are."
To put it in simpler terms, the changes made at the top of the athletic department are great for the UA.
But if Razorback fans don't come out and support those changes and the new leaders of Arkansas athletics, all of the good progress made will be lost, and the UA will be little more than a footnote in the scope of collegiate athletics.
Bart Pohlman is the assistant sports editor for The Arkansas Traveler.
In the fall, Jeff Long was chosen as the UA's new athletic director following the retirement of Frank Broyles.
In October, John Pelphrey began his first season as Arkansas head basketball coach.
After the football regular season had ended, Houston Nutt announced his resignation as head football coach, and in December, Bobby Petrino was introduced as the new Razorback head football coach.
In January, UA Chancellor John White announced his retirement and David Gearhart was named as his replacement.
And finally, legendary Arkansas cross country and track and field head coach John McDonnell announced his intentions to retire at the end of the outdoor season.
What does it all mean?
Well, the winds of change are blowing through Fayetteville, that's for sure.
Long has been very active in the comings and goings of coaches, and has constantly been looking for ways to improve the athletic department.
Pelphrey's intense and exciting demeanor is a far cry from the polite, yet sullen stares of Stan Heath.
Petrino has introduced a much more professional, almost businesslike approach to Razorback football. His style is a far cry from the "good 'ole boy" days of Nutt.
It's yet to be seen the impact Gearhart will have on the athletic department, or whether he, like his predecessor, gets himself too involved.
Then there's McDonnell, who led Arkansas to 42 national championships and will be dearly missed by the Razorback community.
It's gotten to the point where it's almost too hard to keep track of all the changes being made at the UA.
There are, of course, the traditionalists - those who don't like change.
But change can be a good thing, too. Just ask Michael Jackson…on second thought, don't ask Michael Jackson.
In reality, changes happen all the time.
Whether it's moving to a new city, getting a new job or switching majors, life throws plenty of changes at everyone.
I think the character of Eric Matthews on Boy Meets World said it best: "It's not the changes that matter, it's how you react to those changes. That's what makes you who you are."
To put it in simpler terms, the changes made at the top of the athletic department are great for the UA.
But if Razorback fans don't come out and support those changes and the new leaders of Arkansas athletics, all of the good progress made will be lost, and the UA will be little more than a footnote in the scope of collegiate athletics.
Bart Pohlman is the assistant sports editor for The Arkansas Traveler.
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