re: Reports of donors conducting search

I was in law school at UT right before Kiffin came and went. You don't want that guy. He's a second Petrino except not as proven. He would probably win for a while, then embarrass the university.

The Bielema v. Petrino comparison project proved that Arkansas can go up-tempo and speed with the 3-star and occasional 4-star recruits we get, but could not pound the rock against LSU and Alabama caliber 5-star linemen. Ergo, we need a creative offensive mind who can air it out but will also use Arkansas' plethora of running backs.

That being said, defense wins championships. Petrino did not and never would have won the SEC without an SEC-grade defense. We can't unleash headhunters like Kenoy Kennedy like we used to be able to do in the rover-bandit Nutt/Burns days, which is the last time our D was really good. Thus, we need to out-scheme them.

The best combo on the board right now to give Arkansas what it needs (recruiting, hometown connections, defense-first but a tempo offense) is Venables at HC and Rhett Lashlee as OC. That would satisfy the CrossChurch crowd and the money, especially if Rhett turned into a coach-in-waiting. We might actually be scary if a Venables defense developed in tandem with a Gus offense.

Sitting here in Atlanta, I don't think Gus leaves Auburn for Arkansas even if the temptation is great. He has built too much and Saban is too close to retirement. If he wins the SEC Championship on Saturday, Venables should be announced that evening. And hopefully Rhett will be the Monday after.

TGH