Arkansas Athletic Director Frank Broyles, who retires at the end of this year, apparently likes to go out with a bang. On Monday afternoon it was announced that Stan Heath, head basketball coach for the Razorbacks, was fired.Heath had just completed his second straight 20+ win season at Arkansas. The Hogs' selection to the NCAA Tournament was considered a surprise by many, but most felt that Arkansas' relatively strong finish -- early tourney exit notwithstanding -- would be enough to secure Heath's job for at least one additional season. Obviously, that was not the case.
So: at least two new coaches will be plying their basketball wares in the SEC next season. Still on the coaching hot seat: Mark Gottfried of Alabama and Dave Odom of South Carolina. Odom's status is generally believed to be more solid based on his highly-ranked incoming recruiting class. Gottfried's throne is heated by the angst of the Alabama faithful, who were treated to lofty pre-season heights prior to their long tumble into N.I.T. obscurity.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Wow. Arkansas is just a mess right now. The football program is imploding and now they go and fire a coach who won 20 games and got them to the tournament. Do they really think they're going to get someone better, with higher profile openings at Michigan and Kentucky out there?
Another issue involved here is race. The question has to be asked: can a black coach survive in the SEC? Based on what's happened to Nolan Richardson, Tubby Smith, and Stan Heath, I would say No.
I am sorry for the Arkansas Basketball Coach. The football coach receives a check for not going to another school in 2004. I am glad Frank Boyles in leaving AR. I have never like him since he let Eddie Sutton and two of the former football coach get fired. He is worst than KY which is my school. In getting rid of coaches. Good by Frank Boyles he should have left a long time ago.
Frank Broyles should have retired 20 years ago! He fired the best basketball coach Arkansas ever had, Nolan Richardson. He IS a racist! He set Stan Heath up to fail so he can replace him with a white coach. Nolan was getting too popular to Frank's liking.
Every thing is crazzzy at Arkansas. No big name coach want to come to the U of Arkansas. This is sad because we will have to take a step down to find a coach when we allready had a good coach. Tell Frank this is the 21 century.