re: 2019 Coaching Search Thread

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If it comes down to it, Arkansas will pay for this new coach - as much as $4 million a year right now, and it's pretty much up to Hunter Yurachek at this point to make the call. It was his call to fire Mike, it's his call to hire this coach. No one is blocking his decision on the BOT. And since he's basically been approved to go up that much, he can make this hire without heavily involving the BOT, just through a liaison. That makes me feel like this news will break from the place where the coach is coming from or via ESPN unless Yurachek has to go in and ask for more than $4 million to make the deal. You never know, though. People who are close to Yurachek don't know what he's doing, I know that.

I can't explain why because I'm worried it would expose someone, and this isn't hard news or anything, but I don't think Chris Beard is in it at this point, and if he was in it then I think it may be already shut down. Sorry to have to phrase it that way. In addition, not really sure how genuine Beard's interest is in Arkansas in the first place. I think most of us believe Beard is a long shot, regardless.

I stand by what I've said on Kelvin Sampson, and while reports out of Houston this morning may be technically accurate that there hasn't been contact between the UA and Kelvin Sampson, it is true that there was a third party involved. You can read what I wrote on Sunday on all that here. I think I've been the only media person in Arkansas pumping the breaks on Sampson:

Steve Alford (or his people) have reached out to Arkansas, but I don't know that he's a strong target (former UCLA coach).

There have been reports that Frank Martin is in the mix, but I don't believe that to be true.

Here's who I think is in the mix, and there may be another/others I don't know of at this point:

Chris Beard (long shot, not sure the interest is there from him)

Kelvin Sampson (my source on Sampson thinks he'll stay at Houston as of now)

Steve Alford (reached out, not sure he's the guy for Arkansas)

Buzz Williams (the only guy anyone at A&M is talking about)

Gregg Marshall (would Arkansas have to get more than $4 million since he already makes $3.5)

Thad Matta (I think this is an interesting possibility if he's healthy)

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