For all of its stories history and current talent and drive, John L. Smith is the best hire they could make for U of A? In a year where they could take the SEC West legitimately they dig up JLS?
Well, here’s your one year caretaker, that hopefully can just step out of the way of Petrino Jr. running the O and the staff running the D. If he intends to come in and clean house, well talk about shitting on the crapper. It seems like he intends to come in and literally just be a figurehead, but if that is the case, why even waste the money on someone who has no intended contribution to the upcoming season? To fire up the kids with a guy most won’t know as shit from shinola? Will he instead confuse the situation even more as the kids won’t know who is really the HC or will he split the team as many viewed the current interim coach as the most logical interim HC choice?
Literally, Arkansas just threw an extra KIng onto the chess set, firmly planted him in place with money and an office, and told the pawns, “be prepared to fan out! You have two pseudo-kings to guard and fight for now! Be loyal to both but be aware they are both independent! Good luck kids!”
I think they felt he was the best choice to try to keep the program out of the ditch for this year. He does have head coaching experience and knows the current program. If they were going to go this route I am not sure who else on the staff would be a better choice and the recent experience at Ohio State showed it might be best to take your time in making this decision.
By going the caretaker route in my mind they are accepting the fact they are going to sign the kids diehard to Arkansas and will need to make up ground in the future. They are willing to accept a year less than what might have been in order to make the best long term decision.
It does however put a great deal of pressure on that next decision.