It is not time to panic.

Yes, the University of Arkansas is starting to have some egg on its face, but it is not time to dial 911 because yet another football coach has turned down a chance to work at the UA.

This search has surely bottomed out and will now start to deal with guys who actually want the opportunity to run their own program.

Let’s recap. Butch Davis, Tommy Tuberville, Tommy Bowden, Jimbo Fisher and Jim Grobe have been interviewed for the head coaching job at the UA, and got a nice raise to stay where they are.

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We know that. That happens everywhere in almost every job.

We also know that Frank Broyles, who was in Orlando, Fla., being honored for his 50 years in college athletics, has not been consulted.

Which is probably why the board of trustees has apparently had to become involved in this coaching search — not in the interview process, but by a vote of confidence or no confidence for candidates.

It is likely that, when consulted, the board did not endorse Tommy Bowden.

Yet it did endorse Grobe, as did the Razorback Foundation, but he had a change of heart about leaving Wake Forest. That is understandable, too.

Grobe is a relentless recruiter, but he has the reputation of being a coach who does not, will not, take any kids who are at risk of trouble.

If that is true, he is a better fit at a private school like Wake Forest.

So where does that leave the Razorbacks ?

Maybe we should f irst consider the history of football hires since Broyles stepped down.

Lou Holtz, who before being hired by Arkansas was unemployed after being fired by the New York Jets.

Ken Hatfield, head coach at Air Force.

Jack Crowe, assistant at Arkansas.

Danny Ford, unemployed after being fired by Clemson.

Houston Nutt, head coach at Boise State.

Notice that only Hatfield and Nutt had jobs as head coaches when they were hired, and they were at much smaller schools.

They were also the only native Arkansans, and both played for the Razorbacks and knew about the traditions, pride and passion.

They were also familiar with the old Southwest Conference.

The questions now are where does new Athletic Director Jeff Long turn and shouldn’t he consider candidates who have a knowledge of the SEC rather than the Atlantic Coast Conference.

It is time — no, it is past time — for Long to reconsider his direction.

It is time to start looking for the next Bob Stoops or Mark Richt, successful head coaches who were coordinators before getting their chance at Oklahoma and Georgia.

Earlier this week, Broyles Award finalists Will Muschamp (defensive coordinator for Auburn ) and Dave Christensen (offensive coordinator for Missouri ) apparently indicated they would be interested in talking to Long.

Bud Foster (defensive coordinator Virginia Tech ) was back at the ceremony after winning last year, and he showed interest in the job, too.

Brent Venables (defensive coordinator at Oklahoma ) would seem like another obvious interview.

Reggie Herring has said he would love to be interviewed and could put together a great staff.

Gus Malzahn has been interviewed, and while he is taking the high road and not speaking out, apparently he had names of people he would like to hire and they were impressive.

Surely this is not going to come down to a Herring vs. Malzahn proposition ?

The point is, there are quality coordinators out there who would love to have a shot at running their own program and are not afraid of the challenge.

They aren’t looking for a raise where they are, but for a chance to create their own legacy.

They are out there and interested, and that’s why it isn’t the time to panic.