Former Hog coordinator Malzahn returns
Matt Watson
Issue date: 10/31/08 Section: Sports
For just $12.21 on Amazon.com, one can purchase a used copy of The Hurry-Up, No-Huddle: An Offensive Philosophy, the revealed secrets of former Razorback coach Gus Malzahn's high-powered offensive scheme.
But it's a pretty safe bet that copy wasn't used by anyone at the University of Arkansas, evident by Malzahn's departure after just one season under former UA head coach Houston Nutt, when his no-huddle spread attack never got off the ground.
It's hard for anyone to complain after a 10-game win streak in college football, especially when the team plays in one of the nation's premier football conferences.
So what happened?
After gaining national prominence at as a high school coach, Malzahn were recruited to Arkansas, along with top quarterback prospect Mitch Mustain and a slew of other Springdale players.
Two years later, Malzahn is running the most efficient offense in the country at Tulsa, for the second straight year. He left Arkansas, as did Mustain and wide receiver Damian Williams, after the Hogs' 2006 campaign. Today only two of Malzahn's former high school players, tight end Ben Cleveland and kicker Alex Tejada, remain with the team.
What happened in between had little to do with Malzahn - and that was the problem. While the rest of the 2006 season was marred in controversy on and off the field, he stood outside the spotlight. Even though there was speculation that his hands were tied as an offensive coordinator and estimates of how much influence he actually had, he never spoke out against the head coach, the university or the fans.
He quietly did his job, as much as he was allowed to, and then he left.
When asked about his emotions returning to Arkansas at the Tulsa press conference Monday, Malzahn replied, "I'm not really letting my mind go there. I'm just focused on win number nine and making sure I give our guys the best chance of winning."
Business as usual.
But the Fort Smith native did admit to losing some sleep this week over the Razorbacks. Not because he was up all night thinking about returning to Arkansas, but because No. 19 Tulsa played on Sunday night and is a day behind its usual game-preparation schedule.
But it's a pretty safe bet that copy wasn't used by anyone at the University of Arkansas, evident by Malzahn's departure after just one season under former UA head coach Houston Nutt, when his no-huddle spread attack never got off the ground.
It's hard for anyone to complain after a 10-game win streak in college football, especially when the team plays in one of the nation's premier football conferences.
So what happened?
After gaining national prominence at as a high school coach, Malzahn were recruited to Arkansas, along with top quarterback prospect Mitch Mustain and a slew of other Springdale players.
Two years later, Malzahn is running the most efficient offense in the country at Tulsa, for the second straight year. He left Arkansas, as did Mustain and wide receiver Damian Williams, after the Hogs' 2006 campaign. Today only two of Malzahn's former high school players, tight end Ben Cleveland and kicker Alex Tejada, remain with the team.
What happened in between had little to do with Malzahn - and that was the problem. While the rest of the 2006 season was marred in controversy on and off the field, he stood outside the spotlight. Even though there was speculation that his hands were tied as an offensive coordinator and estimates of how much influence he actually had, he never spoke out against the head coach, the university or the fans.
He quietly did his job, as much as he was allowed to, and then he left.
When asked about his emotions returning to Arkansas at the Tulsa press conference Monday, Malzahn replied, "I'm not really letting my mind go there. I'm just focused on win number nine and making sure I give our guys the best chance of winning."
Business as usual.
But the Fort Smith native did admit to losing some sleep this week over the Razorbacks. Not because he was up all night thinking about returning to Arkansas, but because No. 19 Tulsa played on Sunday night and is a day behind its usual game-preparation schedule.
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