FAYETTEVILLE — Frank Broyles plans to enjoy himself at tonight’s Arkansas-Western Illinois football game from start to finish.

“The truth of the matter is, I know we’re playing this week, but my heart is not beating faster,” Broyles said. “It’s just beating normal because the game hasn’t been on my mind every minute of the day.

“ I’ve always been a worrier. As a player, I wouldn’t eat before a game because I was so worried I couldn’t swallow. As a coach, I was a worrier, and as an athletic director, I was a worrier.

“ But now, I’m not worried about anything.” Tonight’s game marks the first time in 50 years Arkansas has opened a football season without Broyles holding the titles of head coach or athletic director.

In his new role as a consultant to the chancellor and with an office at the Razorback Foundation, Broyles, 83, said he’s happy and feeling more relaxed than he ever could have imagined.

“I can’t explain it except to tell you that in the years past I would be uptight with the season starting, but I’m not uptight now,” Broyles said. “I’m not in charge and don’t have the responsibility and pressure weighing on me of balancing the budget.

“ I didn’t realize what a big difference it would make, how much less stress I’d be feeling.

“ I don’t know if people are just being kind, but nearly everyone I talk with says, ‘Gee, retirement really makes you look a lot younger !’ That’s nice to hear, and I feel great.” Harold Horton, a Razorback Foundation vice president who played and coached for Broyles, said it’s obvious Broyles is enjoying his new role.

“I can remember the days when I’d walk out in the hall and see him, and I’d dart and go a different direction,” Horton said with a laugh. “But that’s not the case anymore. He always has a smile and is happy and wants to talk about what’s going on.” In recent years, Broyles would be at an Arkansas football game prior to kickoff to make an appearance, then would leave because of the stress. He often took a long walk and would wait for a phone call to learn the game’s outcome.

“As a coach or an athletic director, you’re overseeing everything, and there are so many ups and downs,” Horton said. “People may not realize how much he lived and died on every play.

“ Now, Coach Broyles is going to enjoy Razorback football more than ever, because he’s not directly involved.” Razorback Foundation President Chuck Dicus, who played for Broyles, said he’s not surprised by the seemingly easy transition he’s made since retiring as athletic director on Jan. 1.

“Coach Broyles is a remarkable person,” Dicus said. “He’s been an inspiration to so many people, myself included, so I’m not surprised he’s adjusted so well.

“ Having him around, it’s a real positive for us because there’s such a wealth of knowledge there that we can tap into. I just think he’s very happy with things, and I’m happy for him.” A typical day for Broyles begins by walking for an hour with his wife, Gen. Then he heads to the office at 8: 30 a. m., visits with boosters and fans who call or drop by to see him, checks his mail, returns phone calls, has a light lunch, and attends to various projects. By 3: 30 p. m., he’s often headed to the golf course.

Broyles also still does some speaking engagements for the UA or to help raise awareness and funds to battle Alzheimer’s disease.

During Friday night’s UA Hall of Honor banquet, Broyles was presented with the Razorback Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award.

“The traffic into his office is continual,” Horton said. “There are always people who want to see him, old friends, or people who just want to meet him for the first time.

“ Coach Broyles is still in the limelight, because of the 50 years he’s given to Arkansas and how far he’s brought this university athletically.” Arkansas’ athletic department has undergone tremendous change the past eight months under Broyles’ successor, Jeff Long, including the addition of three new associate athletic directors.

Long, 48, has a more formal management style than Broyles, whose office always seemed to be open to whoever stopped by.

Arkansas recently released a detailed structure of the athletic department’s executive staff and senior staff committees that are under Long’s direction.

“Jeff is going with his style of leadership, what he’s seen work at other institutions where he’s worked,” Broyles said. “I think he’s doing it his way, and that’s what he has to do.” Among Long’s biggest challenges at Arkansas has been overseeing the merging of the men’s and women’s athletic departments.

“He’s got a tougher job than I had in that respect,” Broyles said. “But I think it’s working out well.” Broyles said he met with Long a few days ago to discuss something, but that he has tried not to crowd the new athletic director and has offered advice only when it’s sought.

“I cannot express enough my appreciation for Coach Broyles,” Long said. “He has not tried to second-guess me or impose his will on me in any way.

“ I respect that, and it tells me even more how great a person Frank Broyles is. I enjoy him, I appreciate him, and I’m very fortunate to be following him.

“ He’s been great whenever I’ve had a question. Just recently he gave me some advice that I think was right on the mark.” Broyles has a seven-year, $ 2 million contract with the UA to continue working as a consultant and be paid by the Razorback Foundation until he is 90.

“He’ll fulfill his contract here at the Foundation,” Horton said. “I don’t now if he’ll go beyond 90, but he’s not going to slow down before then.” Broyles said he’s excited about attending games this season and not feeling stressed out.

“I’m going to be a fan and cheer and yell, and if we lose, I’m not going to die,” Broyles said. “I’ll be disappointed, but I won’t be blue.

“ Then I’ll get excited for the next game.” Broyles plans to attend one road game this season, when Arkansas plays former Southwest Conference rival Texas at Austin on Sept. 13.

“That’s going to be the acid test, whether I can stay for the entire Texas game,” Broyles said. “But that’s my plan.”