I believe Clay mention that a decision on CBB, stay or go, would come from the chancellor and or board. We know that Mr. White did not care for Athletic department. Where does our current Chancellor stand?
Who knows?
A good Chancellor is seen, but not heard much on athletics unless he and those around him decide it is time for a change.
That “Who knows” is what scares me. I would like a chancellor who realizes how valuable a strong athletic department is to the UofA and to the state. Not taking a position on the up or down of CBB, but when the football program is winning, the state is winning and the UofA is winning.
I’d be willing to bet he feels that way. I think John White felt that way, too. It’s just that he thought he could run it & he obviously couldn’t. David Gearhart stayed out of athletics, but he backed JL on firing BP. (It might have been his ultimate decision, but I don’t know that.)
I was trying to make a point that Chancellors should not go around throwing out comments until they make a decision. I’m sure he has an opinion, but don’t see any need for him to share it. I can’t see how that would help anything.
Joe Steinmetz came to UA from Ohio State, where he was executive VP and provost. You may have noticed that they take football fairly seriously in Columbus and environs, just as seriously as in Tuscaloosa or Baton Rouge or Knoxville (I’ve just named four places with 100K+ stadiums). And tOSU is no slouch academically either. So he’s seen that it isn’t either/or; you can offer a great education and also have a great athletic program. We haven’t heard his personal opinions, which IMO is a good thing, but you can bet Jeff Long knows what Joe is thinking.
Yes. I’d be stunned if Jeff Long and Joe Steinmetz haven’t communicated.
The new chancellor loves football and thinks athletics is a huge part of the campus. He attends most events. Has been a fan of Long. He does want to be involved in every aspect of campus. He is a hands-on chancellor. He and Long are seen together and do communicate often.
[quote=“SwineFusion”]
Joe Steinmetz came to UA from Ohio State, where he was executive VP and provost. You may have noticed that they take football fairly seriously in Columbus and environs, just as seriously as in Tuscaloosa or Baton Rouge or Knoxville (I’ve just named four places with 100K+ stadiums). And tOSU is no slouch academically either. So he’s seen that it isn’t either/or; you can offer a great education and also have a great athletic program. We haven’t heard his personal opinions, which IMO is a good thing, but you can bet Jeff Long knows what Joe is thinking.
[/quote]From all appearances, our Chancellor appears to be very competent, but sharing his bio, which reflects a background north of the Mason Dixon/no Arkansas roots, will likely make him cannon fodder for many posters on various boards. It seems that many have nearly as much issue with Long’s geography as anything of substance.
Based on my observations, I do not see the basis for such strong reactions to Jeff. Sure we have not had the results in either football or basketball that we expect or even have enjoyed in times past, but it seems the other sports, where the playing fields are more level, it seems we are doing pretty well and it appears the patience extended to Coach Anderson may be about to pay off. I am sure some will point the Coach Dykes situation as a bust, which it was–but it was a calculated gamble that did not pan out. The women’s program needed a big boost and it seemed that Coach Dykes might have the visibility and charisma to do that. I also see that many discount Long’s role in the financial and facilities side when evaluating his tenure and also seem to overlook the visibility/credibility gained by his roles in the selection committee and other leadership opportunities.
All this said, I for one am comfortable that our Chancellor and AD are both capable and have more than earned my trust to lead us through this and other difficult decisions going forward.
This is the most encouraging oat I’ve read in some time
Maybe some blood from up north can save the UofA because the good ole boys and current leadership have failed to produce
It amazes me how Arkansas can operate like a professional program (the team is paid for by the foundation and the UofA can refuse to play Arkansas St) but when it gets held to reform like a professional it hide behind its lave as an educational institution not a semi pro football team
If Arkansas wants its privileged status it needs to perform like its a professional program with performance standards beyound the market or accept state funds - play Arkansas state (who would be its true rivial over night) and accept it lower their status in the SEC as a college/university program at a smaller land grant institution