They call themselves “The Olde Goats,” but they aren’t, not really.

When the call was made to see if Bobby Petrino would address their monthly birthday meeting, it had to be explained that the men in this group may be wellseasoned, but they are more like an extended family for the state of Arkansas than old goats.

From politicians to judges to successful businessmen, this group had always tried to make a positive difference in their communities and state.

And always quietly behind the scenes.

When Steve Stephens sent an invite, it was accepted immediately.

ADVERTISEMENT

Any other year, Petrino would not have been available, but as Tom Murphy reported Tuesday, the SEC has enacted the “Saban Rule.” Head coaches are not allowed off campus for evaluations during the spring this year.

Allegedly, Saban had so many incidental contacts — basketball coaches call them bumps — last spring that the other coaches in the conference thought the only way to keep everyone on the same playing field was for the head coaches to stay home.

Incidental contact is when a college coach is visiting a high school coach and the athlete walks into the office, or the college coach walks out of the office and there is the athlete. Or if the college coach bends over to tie his shoe and stands up at exactly the same time the athlete is walking by.

You get the picture.

Once, in Orlando, Fla., for the AAU nationals, a college assistant coach was kneeling beside a van when yours truly left for lunch with Charles Baker, now an assistant at Colorado.

Baker said not to be surprised if the guy was still kneeling there when we got back.

He was — although he straightened up fast when an AAU team came to get in the van, an AAU team that had a player he was recruiting.

Anyway, because of the new rule, Petrino was available, and again he came across as a strongwilled, independent man who keeps his cards very close to his vest.

A typical Montana cowboy.

Petrino is not one to waste words, either.

He’s short, sweet and to the point, but he left no doubt with that group last Wednesday at the Little Rock Club that he likes his staff.

Petrino’s plan is similar to what others, including Butch Davis at Miami and Pete Carroll at Southern Cal, have done.

Hire great coaches with NFL experience.

Let’s face it, every high school football player recruited by a major Division-I program believes he is going to play in the NFL.

If he is being recruited by a coach who has been on that level, he has to know he’s going to learn what it takes to play on Sundays.

Including Petrino, seven of the 10 staff members have coached in the NFL, and one, former Razorbacks tight end Kirk Botkin, played in the league.

Every single coach on his staff was talked about in a positive way.

When he broke down his evaluation of how spring went, he was brutally honest.

He’s not too worried about the secondary or the defensive line, although both could use more depth. He likes the players and believes they will all improve under their respective position coaches.

On offense, he said the bright spot was the offensive line and said they could not find a better position coach than Mike Summers to teach them to effectively pass and run block.

Petrino was positive about his tight ends, even saying D. J. Williams could be outstanding and the others were not far behind him.

He was satisfied with Casey Dick, who has improved, but said he wants him to work hard this summer.

He said nice things about running backs Michael Smith and Brandon Barnett, but would like to add a big running back.

Petrino said the receivers made progress, but he hopes at least two of the incoming freshmen report ready to play.

When he finished, he took questions and then received a loud ovation from a bunch of Olde Goats.