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Hogs Show Interest in Clemson's Bowden

Last updated Monday, December 3, 2007 6:54 PM CST
in Razorback Central

By Alex Abrams
THE MORNING NEWS

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas is pursuing a coach named Tommy, but it's not Tuberville.

Incoming athletic director Jeff Long has interviewed Clemson coach Tommy Bowden about the possibility of replacing Houston Nutt at Arkansas, sources told The Morning News on Monday.

A source close to the situation described the talks as preliminary, but the discussions are believed to have heated up to the point where Bowden is now considered the leading candidate to be Arkansas' next coach.

A source told The Post and Courier (of Charleston, S.C.) on Monday that Bowden is expected to interview either today or Wednesday in Fayetteville.

Stanley Reed, the chairman of Arkansas' Board of Trustees, didn't want to comment when reached by The Morning News on Monday night.

But when asked if board members had been consulted about Bowden, Reed said, "The board was consulted, not for a yes or no vote. Just for advice as to generally how the board felt, just to get feed back."



Reader Comments (15 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.

12247 wrote on Dec 3, 2007 8:28 PM:

" My personal choice would not be Tommy Bowden. I hope we aren't to a spot where we think he is the best we can get. Somebody call Boise, Cincy, Vandy, Navy, Kansas, Frenso, UConn, Wake or several other locations before we give up. Give Long time to be turned down by everyone. Wear this list out then look at assistants. "

AKRazorback wrote on Dec 3, 2007 8:40 PM:

" Michigan Def Coord - No Way Malzahn - Will he be able to recruit? Probably not. Tommy Bowden - 9-3 in a not very impressive ACC. Not sure this is the way to go either. Is he a front runner because his buyout is less than Tubberville's? "

AKRazorback wrote on Dec 3, 2007 9:26 PM:

" Nothing wrong with pulling for Tech. This is going to be an interesting process. One thing for sure, is that next year will be a rebuilding year, so no matter who we hire, it probably won't be a great year. That's why we need someone who can recruit. Of the 3 Bowden has the best know name and might be able to recruit. Why would any high school star want to play for Malzahn or English? And before you bash me for bashing Malzahn, I think he got a raw deal as OC, I'm just not sure he's ready to be a HC. "

12247 wrote on Dec 3, 2007 9:31 PM:

" I still believe this job is a good position that deserves a decent HC willing to work hard, smart and win. Because we aren't privy to what our adminstration is doing, none of us know who is being considered and who has been talked to. I said and still believe the position of HC at Arkansas is one of the top 20 coaching positions in college football. I still believe there are execellent coaches out there who would take this position if properly approached at the right time. We need not rush this hiring or comment about any interview since we don't know any of the facts yet. The only true blessing we have is that we could hold a tourney or just an old fashion drawing and end up better off than we were before. "

hometowngirl wrote on Dec 3, 2007 9:33 PM:

" First, Tommy Bowden has NEVER had a losing season at Clemson. His team is 15th in the nation. I wouldn't consider that mediocre. Clemson is also in the top 15 schools for next years recruiting class. Arkansas needs a coach with proven success & recruiting power. I would say that Bowden would be a nice fit! "

12247 wrote on Dec 3, 2007 9:38 PM:

" Just as before, I am not from Springdale, don't know Malzahn, never met him, but can see he understands a lot about football. Seems to contain his ego, smart enough to stay out of the fray, smart enough to change his plans throughout the game, knows offense, etc.. Offensive players will want to play for him. If he wins, all players will want to play for him. I am waiting for a bigtime coach, but Malzahn is high on my personal list because he will soon be a bigtime coach. "

hawgballer wrote on Dec 3, 2007 9:39 PM:

" Who cares about a "Big Name" coach.. Look at Saban for instance, he has all the recruiting, but see where he ends up? Some of you guys just need look outside the "Box".. Forget Danny Ford and Jacke Crow.. There just too "Old School". We need some new bright minds... I would go with Bowden being HC and Mahlzan being OC...and Herring be DC.... "

hawgballer wrote on Dec 3, 2007 9:41 PM:

" Malzanh is just only going to get better, remember he hasn't got all of his recruits yet.. and who has more insight into the high school players than someone who used to coach HS?? But I wouldn't mind letting Herring coach for a year and see how that turns out... "

hawgballer wrote on Dec 3, 2007 9:44 PM:

" I rather hire Bowden then Tuberville... Tubbs is always known for good defenses, but still always lacks offense.. We need somebody that can do both... The only coach I hate to see us losing is "Tracy Rocker"... Ole Miss's fan base is alot smaller then ours.. We have the facilities and stadium size to out recruit Ole Miss.. Go Hogs! "

hometowngirl wrote on Dec 3, 2007 9:44 PM:

" Tommy Bowden and Reggie Herring have worked together before at Clemson. Herring used to be the DC at Clemson. I don't think Malzahn's offense would fit with Bowden's offensive style & I don't think Malzahn would return as anything less than HC. I like Gus, but I don't think he is ready to handle the Arkansas program. "

giants911 wrote on Dec 3, 2007 10:53 PM:

" Everybody on this board was saying how easy it would be for AR to get a Big Name Coach! Now we learn Long interviewed Tommy Bowden & asst coaches! Bowden has never won his division in 9 years at Clemson. At least Nutt won his division 3 times. Has had decent talent but doesn't win (60-37 or 61% the past eight years at Clemson). Everybody on this board was crucifying Nutt but this guy is okay . Plus, the ACC is not considered one of your stronger conferences from top to bottom. Clemson almost canned him two years ago and AR wants him. Go to the Fire Tommy Bowden Website!! The fans on their chat board and others are begging us to hire him. Can you all say Danny Ford! "

nyhogfan13 wrote on Dec 4, 2007 12:02 AM:

" lol "lrhog" I still find very few things funnier than anyone from little rock calling anyone else a hillbilly...lol "

southern hog wrote on Dec 4, 2007 8:31 AM:

" Bowden was my very first choice in '97. I think he would be wise to keep Reggie if Reggie will stay. If it is TB, let's get behinfd him and these kids. This man is one of character and integrity and will be a representative of our universtity and a good example to our players. He's also a winner. He's a good choice. "

nyhogfan13 wrote on Dec 4, 2007 9:21 AM:

" "bama confusion" I can believe you would have the nerve to sarcastically call anyone a bright lad. Did you see the teams you just listed? Know the one thing they all have in common. They can all throw the ball downfield when they need to. Nobody said it has to be hurry up no huddle every play. GM was handcuffed by HDN last year so he had to come up with another way to give diverse looks to the offense. That would have been the wildcat. Oh yeah the same one HDN finally resorted to running almost half the plays against LSU. Bet it was hard for him to do considering it was pretty much an admission that what Gus brought to the table last year was better thananything HDN and David Lee came up with this year. "

southern hog wrote on Dec 4, 2007 1:35 PM:

" Of course, TB is not coming. I like Peterson or Reggie. Peterson as HC with Reggie as defensive guru makes a great team. I think Reggie is a good choice, too. I guess Leach and Butch are out of the picture, if they were ever in it. "


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