"What we need to do is improve on what we're doing. Do it better, do it more precise."
Coach Bobby Petrino
on Arkansas' defensive problems
Yes. Exactly.
And years from now we will understand just why this statement says so much with so few words, ironically copied today by a pseudo columnist that says so little with so many words.
Bobby Petrino is going to win. And in a couple of years we'll be basking in the glow of lit up scoreboards.
I have always found it interesting to look at first year coaches. Some are married to a system and won't budge regardless of personnel. Others may prefer a system but they will flex to suit the talent on hand. While not always a true barometer of success, I have found many of the former types to be winners down the road, and latter to win early and fail as time goes by.
In 1988 I was ready to see Nolan Richardson go. Back to back tepid seasons for a controversial hire that inherited arguably good talent was an obvious sign of future frustration. But instead of ditching the scrambled huevos defense and fast break mentality he stuck to his guns.
In time his teams performed far better than any of us could have expected. Talent was brought in that meshed with his style and through attrition we became national champions.
Good coaches also tend to be quick about throwing out everything reminiscent of the past regime not in harmony with their own. I appreciate any youngster that suits up as a Razorback. With a bent towards message board posting, not playing, I still grew up shooting winning shots for the hogs in my driveway. But friends, the loyalty that we have been accustomed to is all but gone. We are playing scads of freshmen for a reason. That alone is not good. In this stretch against top 15 opponents we find our collective heads spinning as we look to grasp onto any hope we can find. Unfortunately freshmen provide the slipperiest of slopes.
But all things being equal, there are two philosophies. If a freshman and senior can provide the same level of play, would you rather be the loyalist and give your senior the chance to go out with pride, or the builder and use freshmen who you can mold and develop over the next few years? Do you sacrifice potential wins at the altar of true national championships under construction? Despite the pain to upperclassmen, long term winners do.
In a perfect world, the transition would be easy. The players would evolve into a more balanced attack from day one. But that takes unlearning what has already been trained. Alternatively, the coach could modify his coaching styles and philosophies to match the personnel on hand? But would this develop young playmakers into the right system over time? The answer is a resounding no, and should we cut corners now the price we'll pay is less effectiveness four years from now.
We've all heard that "if Nutt were here we'd"...this or that. Well, Bobby Petrino is undoubtedly a smart enough man that he could take the Nutt play card and continue to use it while we fill the house with players better able to run his system. And we'd delay the inevitable growing pains needed to rise to championship caliber.
It's not unlike the $700 billion plan put before Congress as we speak. Had we seen the problem for what it was several years ago the price we pay today wouldn't be quite so steep. In retrospect would we have rather eaten a rotten tomato then or a rancid feast today?
So Petrino walks the tightrope. He wants to improve what we're doing instead of dumbing down the playbook. Improve what we're doing. That, fellow fans, is the most refreshing statement given by a head coach at Arkansas in some time. It sets the unmovable bar. It sounds so much better than changing our scheme, moving players, or getting someone off of injured reserve. That is the sound of a football coach who knows where he's going and isn't about to get detoured or cower to expectations. And that's why we're going to be good in the not too distant future.
