FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas running backs coach Danny Nutt will not coach this season because of medical complications that include recurring bleeding in his brain stem.

Nutt’s intention to step down was announced Tuesday during a news conference held by his brother, Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt.

Danny Nutt’s condition is serious enough he elected not to coach what has been recognized as one of the nation’s top backfields. Walking away from a group that includes Doak Walker Award winner and Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren Mc-Fadden was a difficult, but necessary, decision for his brother, Houston Nutt said.

Danny Nutt, 46, and his wife, Carla, have four daughters. Trying to get healthy for his family ultimately convinced Danny Nutt to quit before what would have been his 10 th season with the Razorbacks.

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“It’s about having a good life,” Houston Nutt said. “You want to get back to the point where you aren’t dizzy, aren’t having headaches and concerned about whether or not you’re going to make it to the next drill or the next practice.

“ We love football. We live and breathe it every day. As hard as it was for him to let go, he finally let go and said, ‘That’s it.’”

McFadden, tailback Felix Jones and fullback / H-back Peyton Hillis were informed of Danny Nutt’s decision following a Tuesday morning workout. Houston Nutt delivered the difficult news, catching the players off guard, Jones said.

“We looked up to him,” Jones said. “We looked to him for guidance. It’s tough. You’re taking away something he loves to do. I know it’s hard for him.”

Medical problems have persisted for Danny Nutt since he initially underwent brain surgery in 1998.

He has spent the bulk of the past month in a chair at home, declining opportunities to participate in jogging, golfing or pickup basketball games, traditional summertime activities for the former Little Rock Central standout and Arkansas quarterback. Lethargy, vision problems in his left eye because of bleeding and frequent headaches had become increasingly common.

“He’s usually at his strongest in the summertime,” Houston Nutt said. “He doesn’t have the energy, the balance. Right now, just waking to the car is difficult.”

Surgery to correct bleeding in the brain stem is a likely option for Danny Nutt, who is scheduled to meet Thursday with Dr. Gazi Yasargil, a Little Rock neurosurgeon. Yasargil, who was in surgery Tuesday and could not be reached for comment, performed a December 1998 surgery to cauterize a leaking blood vessel in Danny Nutt’s brain stem.

Additional bleeding in the brain stem led to another hospital stay in 2000. Nutt was hospitalized in 2005 as a precautionary measure because of high blood pressure but showed sufficient recovery each time to return to the team.

“I can’t tell you how many times he’s had to push through,” Houston Nutt said.

Following the 1998 surgery, which left him unable to join the team for the Capital One Bowl, Danny Nutt returned to the team on a part-time basis on March 20, 1999. He spent much of his recovery time at his parents’ house in Little Rock after undergoing a procedure that left him temporarily blind and deaf with paralysis on the left side of his body.

This time, rejoining the staff is not seen as an option, though Houston Nutt said it is possible his brother could serve in some capacity within the Arkansas athletic department if fully recovered. Houston Nutt said he has discussed that possibility with Athletic Director Frank Broyles and Chancellor John White.

“Let’s get him well first,” Houston Nutt said.

Because they are related, Houston Nutt said his brother rarely received proper credit for his contributions to the Razorbacks’ success. Danny Nutt, an 18-year coaching veteran with 14 years under Houston Nutt, helped recruit a number of high-profile running backs to Fayetteville, including Parade All-Americans McFadden and Hillis.

Houston Nutt stressed his brother’s importance during and after Tuesday’s news conference, pointing to the 2002 regular season when nine Arkansas running backs combined for zero fumbles on 467 carries that yielded 2, 451 yards.

“That’s unheard of,” Houston Nutt said. “It’s real easy to be overshadowed when your brother is the head coach. You’re not going to get the credit. I know I’m partial, but I know how valuable he was.”

It is possible a replacement could be named this week, and Houston Nutt said he would like to announce a hire within “24-48 hours.” He declined to discuss potential candidates, saying he preferred for Tuesday to be about his brother.

Among the possible targets are former Miami Coach Larry Coker, who served with Houston Nutt on the Oklahoma State staff, and Air Force offensive coordinator / receivers coach Tim Horton, a 1990 Arkansas graduate whose father, Harold, is a vice president of the Razorback Foundation, the athletic department’s private, fundraising arm. Coker is unemployed and was fired following the 2006 season.

Acting quickly is a must with the Razorbacks opening the season Sept. 1 against Troy.

Nutt said he has specific qualifications for candidates in mind, beginning with a top-flight recruiter. It is also important the hire understands how to be demanding while maintaining the respect of highprofile players like McFadden.

“I want to move as fast as I can,” Nutt said. “It’s time to go. This won’t be an easy move. It won’t be an easy hire. Hopefully, we can get the right fit and the right guy and get this done quickly.”