By Ashlyn Grace Brothers
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) — Fans and football players continue reacting to the future of the Arkansas athletics program. After being throttled at home by his former QB Ty Storey, Chad Morris’ career as Head Hog has come to a close.
The Hogs will play the remainder of this season under Interim Head Coach Barry Lunney Jr. Drew Morgan, former wide receiver from 2013 to 2016, said Morris has a bright future ahead of him, despite the minor setback.
“Tough times last, but tougher people last longer. Based on what he’s gone through, I think he’s a tough person,” Morgan said.
Arkansas Athletics Director Hunter Yurachek fired Morris on Nov. 10 following a 45-19 loss to Western Kentucky.
“As part of my continued evaluation, I have come to the conclusion that a change in leadership is necessary to move our football program forward and position it for success,” said Yurachek. “It is clear that we have not made the progress necessary to compete and win, especially within the Southeastern Conference.”
The university is now left with a $10 million buyout and an active search for the former coach’s replacement.
The loss to Big Red is one of the countless defeats amid Morris’ 4-18 record overall and 0-14 SEC streak.
“Throughout our history in football, as well as with our other sports programs, we have demonstrated that the University of Arkansas is capable of being nationally competitive,” said Yurachek. “I have no doubt that as we move forward, we will identify a head coach that will help lead our program to that benchmark.”
The Razorback season isn’t finished yet. The Hogs will take on the LSU Tigers Saturday, Nov. 23. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Arkansas will play Mizzou Friday, Nov. 29 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The Tigers vs Razorbacks game is set to start at 1:30 p.m.
Several of Morris’ recruits de-committed after he was dismissed, including his son and 4-Star Quarterback Chandler Morris, Tight End Allen Horace, Wide Receiver Savion Williams, Wide Receiver Mason Mangum, and Tailback John Gentry.
Many Pro Hogs and former Arkansas athletes tweeted their thoughts about the firing.
Morgan told UATV he respects the decision, but he thinks Morris and his coaching staff deserved more time. Regardless, Morgan said its part of the game and the state should focus on looking forward.
“Players play. Coaches coach. […] Next man up. Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready type situation,” Morgan said.
Morgan admires Morris’ tenacity and the culture he brought to campus.
“The one thing that I saw that I liked was the positive energy. He always had that, and you could tell that it was contagious,” Morgan said.
Morris’ short-lived tenure consisted of the worst cumulative winning percentage in school history. Morgan said he doesn’t pay too much attention to the record. He believes Morris set the program up for success. The one thing Morgan did not like about Morris was his strategy of selling hope.
“The strategy of selling hope is not a strategy of winning,” Morgan said.
Tom Reed, former offensive guard during the Frank Broyles era, believes the derailed program Morris inherited from Bret Bielema was worse than he’d anticipated. Reed said the circumstances are unfortunate, but the bottom line is that football is a business.
“I think most people expected Chad Morris to get a minimum of three years, and had we shown improvement this year and had we been more competitive, I’m sure he would’ve, but as I said, you know, it just becomes economics,” Reed said.
Drew thinks the former coach brought in some solid recruits, but he hopes the next coach will focus on the state search.
“The main focus I think that, you know, coaches should have moving forward with the program is finding in-state kids that want to be there, not necessarily need to be there,” said Drew. “When you want something, you’re going to work a little bit harder. Umm, it’s the intangibles that can’t be measured. It’s the heart, the will, the gut, umm, the want to.”
Drew said the fanbase’s morale might have reached an all-time low, but that never hindered his performance and it shouldn’t influence any current athletes’ or future coaches’ attitudes either.
“I could care less what the fans think, what Twitter thinks. I could care less what social media thinks,” said Morgan. “I’m not in it for that and neither should the coaches. [They] should be in it for the players, the program and the aspect of love.”
Drew said there are three things Yurachek should look for in his next hire.
“[S]omeone who’s a motivational coach, who can be strategic and also have played the game,” Morgan said. “You have to be built for it. Umm, you’ve got to go through troubled times.”
Reed said the next man for the job is in for a rude awakening.
“Someone is going to want to come here to be willing to take on a challenge because it’s going to be a challenge,” Reed said.
Morgan added to this saying he admires motivational coaches like LSU’s Ed Orgeron, strategic coaches such as Memphis’s Mike Norvell and Washington State’s Mike Leach, plus former player turned powerhouse Dan Enos. Morgan believes those are the types of coaches Arkansas should seek out. He said the program can only go up from here.