FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Razorbacks’ head coaching job has often been thought of as a great opportunity for the right coach. That was no more apparent than the 1970’s through 1990’s under Eddie Sutton and Nolan Richardson.
Spending the next two decades in college basketball obscurity, Mike Anderson took the Razorbacks from the depths of Hades, also known as the John Pelphrey era, and made the job mildly attractive again.
After only three tournament appearances in eight seasons, things became stagnant. It took hiring coaching journeyman Eric Musselman to revive a program on life support. Now, John Calipari is given the keys to Razorback basketball with hopes of national championships to come.
After only three tournament appearances in eight seasons, things became stagnant. It took hiring coaching journeyman Eric Musselman to revive a program on life support. Now, John Calipari is given the keys to Razorback basketball with hopes of national championships to come.
This is the type of hire which tilts the college basketball world off its axis. Things begin to rotate backward and recruits start to look at Arkansas in a different light than before. While a move to Arkansas from Kentucky doesn’t make sense to a lot of folks around the country, it definitely shouldn’t surprise those around the state.
Arkansas’ Strong Resources
For many years, the state of Arkansas athletics’ lack of success was questioned due to so many Fortune 500 companies residing inside the state. While Tyson, Walmart and JB Hunt are three of the wealthiest corporations, Stephens Inc., Simmons Bank and other central Arkansas companies shouldn’t be dismissed either.
Calipari’s potential hiring at Arkansas was aided by his relationship with billionaire John Tyson. The Natural State’s legendary chicken provider has helped fund his friend’s reported $8.5 million per year contract along with an expected $6 million annual NIL package. That should help recruit his signees at Kentucky who decide to join him in Fayetteville should they choose to void their letter of intent.
