Columns

Harry KingHARRY KING
Sports Columnist for The Morning News

Robbie NeiswangerROBBIE NEISWANGER
Sports Columnist for The Morning News



Sponsors

Louisville No Longer An Option For Mustain

Last updated Thursday, January 18, 2007 11:15 PM CST
in Razorback Central

By THE MORNING NEWS

FAYETTEVILLE -- Mitch Mustain hasn't decided what school he'll transfer to, but Louisville appears to no longer be an option for the former Arkansas quarterback.

New Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe said Thursday that he's not interested in signing Mustain, who asked Arkansas coach Houston Nutt for a release from his scholarship on Tuesday.

"Due to widespread media speculation, the University of Louisville is not interested in recruiting Mitch Mustain," Kragthorpe said in a statement released on CardinalSports.com, a Web site devoted to Louisville athletics.

Oklahoma and the University of Tulsa have remained the two most likely options for Mustain, though things can quickly change.

The highly recruited freshman was expected to visit Oklahoma's campus this week. Meanwhile, Tulsa has become an intriguing possibility since Gus Malzahn joined the coaching staff on Monday as an assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator.

Malzahn was Mustain's coach at Springdale High, and Malzahn worked with the quarterback as Arkansas' offensive coordinator this past season.

A day after Malzahn left Arkansas, Mustain asked for a release from his scholarship, which Nutt granted.



Reader Comments (59 comment(s))


The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsibility of their authors. The Morning News does not review comments before their publication, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by our comment policy. If you see a comment that violates our policy, please notify the web editor.

hogdog wrote on Jan 19, 2007 6:34 AM:

" Who cares?? "

Juan Garcia Abrego from Springdale wrote on Jan 19, 2007 7:11 AM:

" I work in the chick farms, my sources say it is Louisville http://loserwithsocks.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/mustain-to-louisville-wal-mart-vs-papa-johns-pizza/ "

kohogfan wrote on Jan 19, 2007 7:58 AM:

" I teach in a small Arkansas school. We followed the success of the Razorback football season. Mustain has shown my students that when something does not go your way -QUIT. Way to go Mitch. "

hogfan in distress! wrote on Jan 19, 2007 8:11 AM:

" It looks like he cannot detach himself from his former High school coach! It makes you wonder if he can or cannot think for himself! My guess is he will end up in Tulsa... an obvious "safety" zone for him! Of course like most hogfans I wish both of them could have stayed a the U of A and everything worked out but I guess I'm not surprised that it didn't happen! "

disappointed fan wrote on Jan 19, 2007 8:17 AM:

" I am disappointed in the fans of Arkansas for being so down on Mitch Mustain and Gus Malzahn. To me they are just removing themselves from a very bad situation and I don't see how anyone can blame them for the issues facing the Arkansas Football Team. After all since they have been here we did have a winning season. I think everyone needs to place the blame where it obviously belongs on Houston Nutt and Frank Broyles. "

Mediocrity wrote on Jan 19, 2007 8:19 AM:

" It will be Mediocrity if Mustain selects Tulsa which is only a mid-major college football team. Some fans on this site do not like Mediocrity. "

Ozarks wrote on Jan 19, 2007 8:25 AM:

" I agree hogfan. Springdale members just quit when they don't get their way. Mustain will go to Tulsa because Gus is there. I will be watching them all this next season to see if they posion the programs they go too when things don't go their way. The likes of Monk is the kind of young men we need. When the Springdale stuff dies down, I look for a heck of a year from the Hogs. Maybe National Champs? I know the Hogs already feel they have something to prove after all of this. So, goodbye to Springdale players and coach. Thanks for the great memories and your less than average play during a 10-4 season. I support Frank Broyles and Houston Nutt this coming year. If you don't support these fine men, then support Tulsa. Not far to drive to watch the exciting games the Golden Hurrican will play next year and leave us Hog fans alone. "

go hogs! wrote on Jan 19, 2007 8:29 AM:

" I was initially disappointed, even angry about Gus leaving. It was only natural that Mitch would follow suit. However, there are still at least 80 young men who are going to lace them up for the Razorbacks next fall. That's where my loyalties lie, not with Broyles and Nutt. Time will eventually get to them, but the Razorbacks will always be here. Go Hogs!!! "

not_from_springdale wrote on Jan 19, 2007 8:33 AM:

" We have the two best running backs in the history of Razorback Football in the same backfield. And, I could probably add Peyton Hillis as the best fullback. The springdalians would like to become a pass oriented team, get real! A quarterback has to be respected by his teammates. Respect is earned and not bestowed by parade magazine. Good riddance. "

Idiot wrote on Jan 19, 2007 8:35 AM:

" What moron quits the division West champs and doesn't even have a back up plan?? I figured he already had a college in mind when he quit?? Malzahn, you should do what you can to help this young man make a wise decision. He obviously doesn't know what the heck he's doing. Does Mustain have a Dad? All I here in the paper is quotes and comments made by his mother. If so that explains a lot. "

Ponder wrote on Jan 19, 2007 8:40 AM:

" I also hope the football team rally's and proves to all that are a good team and will win. if you can't support Broyles and HDN, then show your support for the team just as we do for our troops in the middle east. Don't punish the team because you don't like the commander in chief. Come to the games and cheer for the team. "

to all of you wrote on Jan 19, 2007 8:40 AM:

" hey straw hat, overall wearing, barefooted arkansaws, your team will never make it to a national championship simply because: A)your program is run by Curly and Mo, and secondly because whatever these two idiots decide you will take gladly as you know nothing better (I think is called ignorance bubba!!)...get with the program arkansaws, we are in the 21st. century, 1960 and 1970 fotball happened a long time a go!. "

HogCowboy wrote on Jan 19, 2007 8:57 AM:

" What Ozarks said at 8:25 AM !!! "

Pickles077 wrote on Jan 19, 2007 9:04 AM:

" I am an alumni of the UA and still am a fan of the sports teams. The most irritating thing to me about the football team is their inability to play smart football. That is, the team receives too many penalties and makes too many other mistakes. The mistakes occur each year, not just this past year. "

To pickles077 wrote on Jan 19, 2007 9:07 AM:

" Thats a lack fo discipline from the head coach. He leads on emotion and not on development of skill, focus, and execution. He cheers his way into games. His teams have repeatedly done stupid things at bad times. They don't have discipline on or off the field. Just as he does himself. "

Ozarks wrote on Jan 19, 2007 9:09 AM:

" To the person that wrote to all of you..Let me help you spell even though I am from Arkansas. Let's see..that would be.. bare footed (2 words, not 1).. Arkansawer or Arkansan not arkansaws.. You forgot to mention our corn-cob pipes. Overalls & straw hats? So, what is your point about our wardrobe? I bet you wear tight pants and pointed shoes? I'll check back later, have to go check the new moonshine brew and feed the HOGS!!! Woo Pig Sooie, Go Razorbacks, Go Broyles, Go Nutt!! "

Get Real wrote on Jan 19, 2007 9:13 AM:

" You people are fools for buying into the spin and deceit of Nutt and Broyles. Malzahn/Mustain have both left with dignity and have not said negative things about the University or any individuals in a situation where they easily could have. They have simply moved on to a better situation for themselves due to a difference of opinion and direction with Nutt. If you sit here and say they aren't two very talened individuals you are fools who are showing your lack of knowledge of the game and only want to see things your own way. The chants of crybabies and other negative things about them leaving are the words you all are putting in their mouths, not their own. I only wish Nutt and Broyles handled things with class the way Malzahn/Mustain have. But as with anyone who lies, decieves, and misleads, Nutt/Broyles days will come! "

Nice going wrote on Jan 19, 2007 9:17 AM:

" How can anyone diss Mitch's mother? If you were lucky, your mother would have been the same way. That's what mothers do. Leave the kid alone. He's been through enough. You don't own him or even a piece of him just because he played for your college football team. And Mitch and his mother are both human beings and deserve at least the respect that is afforded the species. Show me where Mitch or his mother have said anything to the media that deserves the humiliation you're dealing out. He's no longer a Razorback. Leave them alone. "

MoHog wrote on Jan 19, 2007 9:36 AM:

" Malzahn and Mustain must go to an organization with the climate and culture that fits their talents. I do not know what Malzahn was promised when hired by Arkansas but I suspect that Damian Williams and Mitchell Mustain believed that Arkansas was moving to a pass oriented offense. This transition did not occur in 2006 and the prospect for change in 2007 appearred dim for 2007. No person, whether in sports or in business, should be expected to continue in an organization where your talents (and expectations) are not utilized. In many years of management consulting I have advised companies and counseled employees to make changes when individual expectations and company goals do not coincide. "

Tired of Springdale 5 wrote on Jan 19, 2007 9:50 AM:

" I am tired of hearing about Mitch and the Springdale 5. If he and Casey Dick had not thrown so many interceptions they might have played more of a passing game. It would have been insane for Nutt not to have utilized the talents of McFadden and Felix Jones, and what about Peyton Hillis? I still can't believe that Mitch's mother has allowed him to give up his scholarship at U of A without a solid commitment from another school. I'm a woman who has raised a son and by the time he reached college age, he had become a young man who was able to handle professors, coaches, and employers on his own. "

Mitch and his Momma's Future wrote on Jan 19, 2007 9:51 AM:

" THIS JUST IN! MAMA'S BOY MUSTAIN GOES #1 IN 2010 DRAFT The Associated Press reports that Tulsa Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn has just been hired as the offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans. He won't start the job until 2 weeks prior to the draft in 2010, stating this is the best time for him to be able to draft Mitch Mustain 1st overall. Coach Malzahn was quoted as saying that this was the best chance for him, Mitch Mustain and Mustain's mom to continue their football relationship. Mustain said that he felt the he could never take the field with out Malzahn as his coach, that if he had to he may feel lost and confused. Mustain's mom said " I have personally talked to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell hoping to ensure that my son is to become the #1 draft pick in the 2010 draft. I feel if not drafted #1 this would hurt his feelings and she just couldn't live with her son having to suffer through 2 or 3 extra draft picks." Mitch was quoted as saying " My mama said that coaches are arnery due to their big madula ablangadas and my mama is always right" "

JNHOG wrote on Jan 19, 2007 9:54 AM:

" Good luck to you Mitch, hope everything works out for you. "

Ad Suggestions wrote on Jan 19, 2007 9:55 AM:

" The Razorback Booster Club should run an ad which reads: "Up for grabs! One overrated quarterback. Package deal- must take meddling mother." "

theman wrote on Jan 19, 2007 9:57 AM:

" For all of the detractors of Mitch and Gus...how would you feel if you were a doctor and the person doing all of your operations was your nurse (for those who don't get the analogy...Gus is the doctor and Nutt is the nurse). If the process of transferring wasn't so penaliziing, I believe there would have been many players who would have decided to leave. The courageous ones did leave (not quitters as someone suggested). "

Pickles077 wrote on Jan 19, 2007 9:58 AM:

" Discipline. Unlike Steve Spurrier, Nutt cannot get the members of his team to dress alike. You won't see some players with black socks, and black tee shirts hanging out from the jersey, on Spurrier's teams. To me, Nutt like many other coaches is afraid to challenge the kids. Teams dress alike, not as individuals. "

Ozarks wrote on Jan 19, 2007 10:20 AM:

" Frank Broyles is Arkansas and Houston Nutt has as much class as any. So, stop with the attacks. There is no basis for those that start rumors or bull here. I wish all that left well and I most wish the Razorbacks the greatest season even this coming year! Now, lets all move on. Deal? It's over and time to look forward with the great players we have and we have a great bunch! :) Go Hogs! "

get over it wrote on Jan 19, 2007 10:27 AM:

" What a bitter group of individuals!!!! Let these people live their lives and move on!!!! We aren't in Jr High anymore!!! Good luck to Malzahn and Mustain!!! Go HOGS!!!! "

hoghugs wrote on Jan 19, 2007 10:39 AM:

" At least Mustain, Williams and Malzahn tried to be Razorbacks. I care more about them than traitors like Kodi Burns, Green, Ziemba, and Pinalto. I hope these clowns never plan on living in Arkansas when their careers are over. Nutt and Broyles should both quit, they're idiots and liars and they ran off the best QB the state has ever produced. The nutty lady who wrote that e-mail to Mitch should be locked up. "

BMack wrote on Jan 19, 2007 11:15 AM:

" I am so tired of this mess and how our reputation and ability to recruit has been tarnished. Now some of you are going to expect me to slam Mitch and Gus for this mess and some of you are going to expect me to slam Frank and Houston, well, guess what - You are all correct. There is not a single person in the backwards sports drama that has the best interest of our Razorbacks, not Mitch, not Gus, not Houston, not even Frank and honestly, I am tired of it. I know that next fall, I will pledge my support where it matters - with those kids that take the field: McFadden, Jones, Monk and the rest of team. Everyone else can take a hike. "

Mustain wrote on Jan 19, 2007 11:39 AM:

" so... how would everyone feel if there was a meeting at 3 pm today to announce that Mustain IS NOT leaving the team after all ???????????????????? "

HOGMAN wrote on Jan 19, 2007 12:08 PM:

" HEY HOGHUGS MAYBE YOU SHOULD GET YOUR NOSE OUT OF MITCH'S @#%. "

LIFETIME HOGMAN wrote on Jan 19, 2007 12:25 PM:

" I have been a hog fan for over 40 years. I support the hogs and always will. I am disappointed an offensive coordinator with innovation left the program. Whether his name is Malzahn, Crowton, Chow, is not my problem. My problem is we never entertained changing our archaic offense. Malzahn was hired to recruit some players and and pacify the state on offense. You can hire any coordinator but we know Nutt is a micromanager and will not allow his assistants to outshine him. Mustain is gone! Leave him alone! He is a KID! Every kid makes mistakes. That is part of growing up! He should go somewhere he will be comfortable. He may or may not ever be a great QB. That is up to him and the attitude he position. He came to the hogs; he gave them a shot and it did not work out. Houston Nutt gave it a shot and transferred to OSU because he wanted play. It is amazing the similarities between Nutt and Mustain, isn't it! They both left UA and transferred!I think Nutt is an average coach. Until a change is made, we will never win big. He is not capable of outcoaching anyone in the SEC. Run DMAC & Jones and they will gain yards. Learn the passing game and win a championship! "

Josh Rascal wrote on Jan 19, 2007 12:29 PM:

" I wonder how many people posting anti-Mitch and anti-Gus poison work in the Frank Broyles (psycho) Complex? "

Pickles077 wrote on Jan 19, 2007 12:56 PM:

" Rumor is that a meeting is to be held by the members of the football team to vote relative to whether to allow Mitch back or not. Why not, he is an eighteen year old kid who like the rest of us has been a little bit indecisive at times in our life. I certainly would not like to see a kid's offer for a scholarship removed though; for example, the two new recruits, Dick and Chaisson. "

Loonatikjenn wrote on Jan 19, 2007 1:11 PM:

" Never criticize someone till you walk in his $16,000 shoes. lol "

To Loonatikjenn wrote on Jan 19, 2007 3:49 PM:

" Never criticise anyone until they have had to try to play for Houston Nutt. Anybody can change after the screwing Nutt can give them! "

ParentsofRazorbackstudent wrote on Jan 19, 2007 3:58 PM:

" GOOOOOO MOUNTIES!!! Everyone knows as well as I do, the only real football team in Northwest Arkansas is the "Rogers Mounties"!! See you around Mitch, I hear Wal-Mart is hiring. "

Southside Alum wrote on Jan 19, 2007 4:41 PM:

" Sorry "ParentsofRazorbackstudent", I will have to disagree with that one...SHS - 2006 State Champs! But I will agree with the Mitch statement, except the fact that not any Walmart in Ark should hire him. "

SUBLIMEHOGFAN wrote on Jan 19, 2007 4:45 PM:

" I cant believe taht all these "fans" are disrespecting the accomplishments of the football team this season. No matter what happened with the crew from Springdale MacFadden and Jones both put Arkansas football back on the map. Even though they lost their last three games,this is the first season since the Razorbacks joined the Southeastern conference that they actually looked like a true SEC team. Barring the USC game, which coincidentally featured Malzahns' spread offense, they were in every game they played. Razorback football is back and Gus Malzahn and Mitch Mustain had little or nothing to do with it. "

jimmur74 wrote on Jan 19, 2007 4:46 PM:

" Well It seems as though Mr Hot Shot aint so Hot Huh? LOL "

jimmur74 wrote on Jan 19, 2007 4:48 PM:

" Hey Lifetime Hog Fan That "ARCHAIC" offense won 10 gmaes and should have won maybe 12. Explain that oh Wise one. "

Rutherford wrote on Jan 19, 2007 4:49 PM:

" Mustain wrote on January 19, 2007 11:39 AM:"so... how would everyone feel if there was a meeting at 3 pm today to announce that Mustain IS NOT leaving the team after all ????????????????????" I would feel great and say congratulations Mitch on growing up and living up to your commitments and being able to separate from your high school coach. "

HogCowboy wrote on Jan 19, 2007 5:18 PM:

" I think Arkansas should concentrate on recruiting two more real good quarterbacks. If Mitch wants to come back to Arkansas, then Nutt and Lee can allow him to be a Walk-on and let him try to earn his Scholarship back. Coaches just don't accept quitters back on the team without some consequences for the athlete. Personally, I hope as a walk-on he does earn back his schlarship. "

LWA1964 wrote on Jan 19, 2007 5:24 PM:

" When all this garbage started I was really upset but now I really think it was best for the team. I do believe now the team will pull together and have a great year. The Hogs need players that want to be here so be part of the great state of Arkansas. Good luck to them all. "

ArizonaHog wrote on Jan 19, 2007 6:04 PM:

" Arkansas is going to be a great team in the future and going forward. We need more McFaddens and Jones and less parents that speak for their grown children. I would have been totally embarassed if my parents would have got involved when I was cut from my senior high basketball them. I took it like a man and moved forward. Mustain looks like he has alot of growing up to do. "

CarltonHogFan wrote on Jan 19, 2007 8:23 PM:

" I think that this entire situation has been blown out of proportion! I sincerely hope that the Springdale bashers are not adults! You all really come off as winners complaining about Mitch's mother getting involved. I'm sure that Matt Jones's dad never went to talk to Broyles and Nutt (that should be read with a sarcastic undertone). At the end of the day these players are some parents' sons and don't deserve to be ridiculed like that. The only reason Nutt is still here anyway is because Broyles knows that Nutt will never break his ancient record! Good luck to the Springdale crew and GO HOGS! "

DallasHog wrote on Jan 19, 2007 8:29 PM:

" All I have to say is that our coach doesn't show much integrity. When the team loses the "coach" should take totally blame and not mention any of his player's names when mistakes happen. After last year when HDN said the so infamous phrase "I called that play, Chuck!"... I will never respect a coach like that ever again. You "Nutthuggers" are just totally blind by his cheerleading spirit. This whole Mustian situation makes me sick. Kids will be kids, so give him a break. Can any of you tell me when you guys where young made any mistakes???? No comment.. "

BlueHog wrote on Jan 19, 2007 8:57 PM:

" I do not think that the personel was in place to run a wide spread offence. For one thing who was going to throw the ball. If we would have kept that type of offence, we might have won 4 games. Any screwball knows you can not drive a square through a round hole. And you can not get the personel when the top State recruits go out of state. It all makes me a little sick, all complain like it is there school. And then the kids of those complainers go to another school. I wish we had the heart of the players in the sixties that was in this State, in todays world. There is enough talent to compete for the National Championship, if eveyone would just get on board. Everyone looks for those greener pastures, and it's right under our nose. "

06 Season Hogfan wrote on Jan 19, 2007 9:08 PM:

" I enjoyed watching the hogs this past season, however it is sad to see all the drama unfold after all the success this team had this past year. If Mitch even wants to play this upcoming year, he's going to have to attend a college in a lower arena, otherwise he'll have to take a year off. He's put himself at a 4-way intersection now, and has to make the best decision for his career and his education. I wish him all the best. "

Accepting Mediocrity wrote on Jan 19, 2007 10:24 PM:

" Say, it's been a few hours since someone mentioned Mitch being 8-0 as starter, wanting the truth, their slant on the facts, and fans accepting Mediocrity. What pleasant relief, but we know that guy will be back soon. "

Greenhog wrote on Jan 19, 2007 10:33 PM:

" to the Dallas hog. Who else would have called the play. "

Nutthuggers know it wrote on Jan 19, 2007 10:49 PM:

" At least the Nutthuggers are happy. You guys that don't like Nutt sound miserable day after day. Are you really that miserable? Of course, if he has another 10 win season this year, he'll get another contract extension and you'll really be unhappy and miserable for years to come. But at least you can gripe on this site about him, if it makes you even a little bit less miserable. We don't feel your pain. Sorry! "

HogFanInTn wrote on Jan 19, 2007 11:02 PM:

" Where did my previous post go? "

razorbax.com wrote on Jan 19, 2007 11:41 PM:

" check http://razorbax.com for an interesting perspective on the 2006 Hog Football season "

stupid people wrote on Jan 20, 2007 12:07 AM:

" Are yall hog fans or did yall just like the team because malzahn and mustain were here. Seems to me like yall should just go to tulsa with them. We as True hog fans whether we like the coach and AD or not support the hogs and have faith every year that we could possibly win the big games. Our time is coming. Let the springdale guys go. I'm not glad they left but i am glad the controversy is over. For now! Until then yall find somthing else to gripe about because this stuff is getting really Old!!!! "

Japanese Hog wrote on Jan 20, 2007 12:30 AM:

" Realistically, it was inevitable that Malzahn would leave given the circumstances, and without some indication of a change from the run-oriented offense at Arkansas (read regime change), it would be foolhardy for Mustain to stay. On the whole, I think most Razorback fans wish the best for the two of them and appreciate their effort. "

Springdale Fan wrote on Jan 25, 2007 2:33 AM:

" Maybe if Huston Nutt hadn't pulled the ol' "bait and switch" on the guys from Springdale none of this would have happened. "

bd wrote on Feb 8, 2007 4:41 PM:

" why does everyone care they r not here ne more and they r all happily in a different school or getting an education.the leaving of them is not wat ur mad about its the fact that ur scared of wat mite happen in the future.who cares if he goes to tulsa.guz malzahn is not a razorback ex head coach he is a guz malzahn that hopes to be a head coach sometime.give the guy a break he is looking in to his future but u guys can only look in the past.just b happy we have jones and dmac to back us up and be happy we have lot nicer schedule next year. GO HOGS a sec championship is in our future and a close loss to florida in the ncaa championship.thats my predictions of the next season.and a heisman winner followed by a felix jones heisman in the next year.and those against dick he has a good brother comin up and he threw 3 less int. than mustain and he played alot more games.the best razorback of all is robert johnson he stuck with his team in different positions and the others looked for personal stats not team stats. GO HOGS GO.!!!!!!!! "

BigGator wrote on Feb 11, 2007 10:29 AM:

" This Mustain fellow appears unreliable. Arkansas was very good last year, and thye only need players committed to team success..not only their own. Good luck to the Hogs next year "


*Member ID:
*Password:
  Forgot Your Password?
 

Not already registered?
Register Now