Nolan's name belongs on the court (column)...

[thenotoriouspig]

Don’t disagree with anything you say. My question was/is, and yes, it makes a difference, was the treatment because of race? I don’t honestly think so, but maybe I am kidding myself.

Judge Wilson said it was.

I haven’t read the decision in years and years. I remember he beat up on Uof A but he did rule in UofA’s favor. I need to go read it again.

Frank did not handle the situation correctly. That is a given. The court needs to be named after Nolan. That is a given.

The opinion from the 8th circuit has the procedural history and findings of the district court. Page 14 is a good starting point on the issue of discrimination.

http://media.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/06/05/043049P.pdf

[daboar]

[quote=“Buckhog”]

Nolan coached a team that won the National Championship for the Hogs. That is all we need to know. He also changed the way college basketball is played. He was a great coach and deserves recognition. Name the court.

[/quote]True. But, there’s so much more to his story. National Juco Champion. National NIT Champion. Never been done before or after. One of the first black coaches. And, I believe he was the first black coach in the SEC. A man of sorrows and victories. As noted above, he still lives in NWA showing his deep character and resolve, in addition to his continued support of the program. What a path and gift to Arkansas.

And, some can’t stand him as he spoke out against racism? As Notorious said, put his name on the court – now.

[gentryrzrbk]

I think what happened to Nolan, not just the firing but all that led to it, is the biggest stain on the history of the program. We have paid dearly for it. I am so happy the school and Nolan have reconciled. Naming the court for Nolan is the right thing to do. He earned it!

Can you elaborate a little on “what happened to Nolan”? He became a rich man? He was given the resources to win a NC? He became famous and was given a stage to speak his mind? Then, after several years of a “working retirement” when he decided he was too big to recruit 18 year olds, he publicly told the UA they could take the job and shove it. John White, not Frank Broyles, ultimately made the decision that it was time for Nolan to go…

Nevertheless, you sound very insightful and reasonable… maybe you know something that Nolan doesn’t because when he got his day in court he had basically nothing. Or… maybe it’s just easier to go along with vague accusations of “racism” than to risk being accused to being small minded, or worse, for questioning those accusations - even when there is no evidence of them… or even specific accounts… under the bright lights of a public lawsuit??

It was as if he had been mostly swinging at air during his 17 years as head coach and now you are swinging with him.

It’s hard to argue with people whose biases cause them to make flat out misstatements, but I’ll give it a shot.

“Swinging at air”? False. He said he was discriminated against by the UA on the basis of his race. A federal judge agreed. If you don’t know that much you need to do some homework before running your mouth on this topic.

As for what happened to him, it’s well documented. If you don’t want to admit it–and you clearly don’t–that’s fine. It says more about you than Nolan. You undoubtedly were in the “No-Win” name calling crowd. That garbage started way earlier than it should have. We would kill for seasons like his “down” '96 season in which the bulk of the best recruiting class in America was gutted–largely due to NCAA incompetence.

Anyone with a shred of intellectual honesty knows that a lot happened to Nolan whether he was rich or not.

Early in his UA career, 2 of the most influential newspaper men in the state, and many of the fans, decided to openly and repeatedly question his work ethic and commitment because he had the nerve to occasionally leave practice to his assistants so he could drive to Tulsa to be there for Cancer treatments for his teenage daughter who was literally dying.

So if we want to start the “what happened to him” game, let’s start there. It alone would have been enough to cause me to feel pain and hatred until my dying days.

Then, let’s talk about how in 1997, after one of the best 7-year, non UCLA runs in modern college basketball history, let’s talk about how his boss was hopping around at an end-of-year banquet trying to rally support against him because he had the audacity to call some redneck SOBs redneck SOBs.

If you want, we can talk about how the then-sitting football coach–who didn’t even sniff the type of success Nolan had–was treated better and paid better and given a 2-year pass due to a NCAA investigation–nevermind that Nolan’s downfall largely began with, and stemmed from, a bogus NCAA investigation during which he received very little administrative UA support, even though he had absolutely earned it and HDN hadn’t.

We could also talk about how at the end the Chancellor acted like a complete clown and made the situation worse when a deft handling may have salvaged it.

But, my guess is that none of that matters to you because Nolan didn’t just shut up and win.

And, before you start it, I’ll add that I understand how and why Nolan was fired. Just like the much-less accomplished and much worse person that many of you treat like a deity–Petrino–Nolan essentially asked to be fired and embarrassed his bosses and when you do that you’re gonna get trouble.

It was bad for him and for MA and for the program and the state. I wish it hadn’t happened.

I understand why it happened, though. To a MUCH MUCH lesser extent I have been discriminated against all of my life.

And I can tell you that regardless of your accomplishments in life and the money you make, it sticks with you and you keep the receipts.

That’s why I’ll never minimize “what happened” to Nolan because I know that neither I, nor you, have even the faintest freaking idea how we would respond down the line after people had mocked us for caring for our dying daughter only to love us when we later won and then mock us after that when we lost.

I also understand that discrimination is vile and it stings and that money doesn’t change that. I’m frankly amazed that Nolan still lives here. He’s a lifer and loves the state and program much more than many who are held in higher esteem because they didn’t have the stones to speak their minds. I think it shows that he’s one of a kind.

The absolute truth is that Nolan had reason to be mad. In a perfect world he would have handled it better and decided not to burn it all down to make a (valid) point and would have seen the worth it passing the torch.

He didn’t handle it well. The UA was understandably unwilling to honor him for years. The wounds were fresh.

But he is what he is and mostly that’s great.

It’s now abundantly clear that it’s time for it to happen. And it’s also time for this asinine idea that Nolan just made it all up or should just shut up and cash the checks, to stop, also.

Life is nuanced. We should be, too. Recognize that everyone involved at the highest levels made mistakes. Put his name on the court. Heal the wounds. Promote the program and it’s trailblazing history. Just Do It.

This is an amazing post. Well said, Notorious.

[soarkhog]

I know this may sound corny, but other than what little the SEC Network has done, I wonder if there’s ever been any consideration given to a movie about Nolan’s life. If there has been one, I don’t remember it. I loved the Brandon Burlsworth movie and think a movie depicting the struggles of Nolan’s life, especially with his daughter’s death. It could be a real triumph amid tragedy kind of story.

[buckhog]

On a business trip to El Paso several years ago, my wife and I went to the L & J Café. Nolan’s picture is hanging on the wall and when they found out we were from Arkansas, they treated us like royalty. Nolan is a great man and loved by that community.

[neastarkie]

I’ve been saying for 10 years his name belongs on the court. The more time that’s passed, the more I want it done. Let’s do it now while the man is still alive & in good enough health to enjoy the honor.

[jimbeau77]

No doubt

[Baumbastic_Hawg]

[quote=“SoArkHog”]

I know this may sound corny, but other than what little the SEC Network has done, I wonder if there’s ever been any consideration given to a movie about Nolan’s life. If there has been one, I don’t remember it. I loved the Brandon Burlsworth movie and think a movie depicting the struggles of Nolan’s life, especially with his daughter’s death. It could be a real triumph amid tragedy kind of story.

[/quote]It may be called SEC Storied, but it has aired on all of the ESPN networks. I’m not sure that it can be termed just a “little.”

[stillgreghog]

Judge Wilson said it was.

I haven’t read the decision in years and years. I remember he beat up on Uof A but he did rule in UofA’s favor. I need to go read it again.

Frank did not handle the situation correctly. That is a given. The court needs to be named after Nolan. That is a given.

The opinion from the 8th circuit has the procedural history and findings of the district court. Page 14 is a good starting point on the issue of discrimination.

http://media.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/06/05/043049P.pdf

For the record, we are not arguing. I think naming the court after Nolan is over due. I think Frank mistreated Nolan. Do I think Frank was a racist? No I don’t. I think Frank wanted all his coaches to come “kiss the ring” on a regular bases. He was the top dog and he wanted the coaches to acknowledge that (I think that is why he and Nutt got along so well). Nolan wasn’t going to do that. Did that PO Frank? You bet it did (he had the same problem with Sutton and Holtz and Hatfield too, but no doubt it was worse with Nolan for a lot of reasons, including jealously). That all said, Frank was a man who came of age before integration. While I really don’t believe he was a racist, I don’t doubt some of his background showed through from time to time. I am sure he said and did things that were not things that should have been said or done and would not have been said or done by an AD who was a generation younger. I think Frank could have passed a lie detector test by answering “no I am not racist” and I think Nolan could have passed one by saying “Frank is racist.”

[soarkhog]

[quote=“BaumbasticHawg”]

I know this may sound corny, but other than what little the SEC Network has done, I wonder if there’s ever been any consideration given to a movie about Nolan’s life. If there has been one, I don’t remember it. I loved the Brandon Burlsworth movie and think a movie depicting the struggles of Nolan’s life, especially with his daughter’s death. It could be a real triumph amid tragedy kind of story.

[/quote]It may be called SEC Storied, but it has aired on all of the ESPN networks. I’m not sure that it can be termed just a “little.”

I didn’t mean little in a bad way. It was a very good documentary. Would like to see the story on the big screen, though. I think it’s worthy.

[hogq]

I love Nolan. He was the best when he was motivated. However, when you try to destroy everything on the way out… I think that is a double edged sword. You don’t get buildings or courts named after you when you do that. Nolan had his day in court - FINALLY his chance to present evidence and tell about all the sins committed against him… and he basically had nothing. To my memory the only thing was Broyles mouthing about Nolan calling the fans “redneck SOBs” and “turds and assholes” and how the equivalent would go over. No discriminatory letters, recordings or even stories for that matter. Just Nolan’s demons and his fight against air for “justice”. God save us if HDN had been black because that guy took some real abuse (mostly deserved) on the way out.

NR court will probably happen but and I’ll be okay with it but I don’t think he is owed it and I think making false accusations in an attempt to destroy everything he AND others built (“tanks in the streets”) should also mean something.

Ditto. (I’d say HDN and Hatfield both were treated as harshly as Nolan).

Not by the administration. How can you say HDN was treated harshly when he left for Ole Miss with his golden parachute? Maybe harshly by some fans.

[hogq]

DD, great job on this. I completely agree with you.

Nothing would make me happier than on the night the court is named after him we unveil the Slobberin’ Hog at midcoast and bring back Robkin for one night and put him in charge of the pep band that night. CNR deserves to have the practice facility named after him too. And they should rename the hill section of Cleveland St. to Nolan Richardson Road.

[adgebg]

Coach Nolan Richardson made many mistakes.
In his shoes, I would have been angry and hurt and
very likely would have responded poorly also.

I’m sick bone deep with our PC culture and
the identity politics used to maintain and increase divisions
in our society.

Razorback nation and our overall Arkansas Program
are major beneficiaries of Coach Richardson’s contributions.
In my mind, the honor our school could bestow in recognition of the extreme value this great man brought
to our beloved school is overdue.
It brings a smile to my face to see him in his seat at
our home games. He has helped bring healing.

        NOLAN RICHARDSON COURT

[hog584]

It would be a travesty if this didn’t happen!