FAYETTEVILLE — Gus Malzahn said he’s focused on being Arkansas State’s head football coach, not on who will be Arkansas’ next one.
“I’ve got my hands full dealing with the day-to-day things here, and I’ve been totally consumed with what we’re doing here,” Malzahn said Wednesday in Jonesboro at a post-practice news conference when he was asked about the Razorbacks’ vacancy. “I’m the head coach of the Arkansas State Red Wolves.”
Bobby Petrino was head coach of the Razorbacks until he was fired Tuesday night by Athletic Director Jeff Long.
Malzahn, an Arkansas native who was the Razorbacks’ offensive coordinator in 2006 and won the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant in 2010 when he was Auburn’s offensive coordinator, was asked if he or anyone who represents him has been contacted about the Arkansas job by anyone who represents the Razorbacks.
“I’m sticking to I’m the head coach here and I’m not worried about anything else,” Malzahn said. “And I’m committed to being here.”
Malzahn was asked if the uncertainty facing Arkansas’ program in the wake of Petrino’s firing is an advantage for Arkansas State.
“Like we said when we first got here, we’re going to recruit this state like it’s never been recruited,” he said. “We’re big believers in the players here in Arkansas and the coaches in Arkansas. That’s going to be the foundation of our program, and we’re going to do everything in our power to recruit this state.”
Footballscoop.com, a website devoted to coaching news, reported Wednesday that Longhas spoken with Alabama-Birmingham Coach Garrick Mc-Gee, a Razorbacks assistant the previous four seasons, about replacing Petrino and that both discussed keeping the current staff intact.
UAB Athletic Director Brian Mackin told the Birmingham News that he hasn’tbeen contacted by anyone at Arkansas seeking permission to talk to McGee about the Razorbacks’ vacancy.
McGee wasn’t available for comment Wednesday, the News reported, and he’s not scheduled to talk with members of the media again until Saturday after a scrimmage.
Pete Roussel, a former college coach who runs the website CoachingSearch.com, told radio station WDEF-AM in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Wednesday he didn’t expect Malzahn or McGee to be hired at Arkansas, noting the timing isn’t right with both having accepted their first head coaching jobs and likely not being able to bring their current assistants with them.
“I think what’s important is that Jeff Long takes a step back,” Roussel said. “You’re not trying to get a quick fix. You’re not trying to do this for one year. If he wants to stay the course, he should stay inhouse with [an interim coach] ... and be really fair to these players and give them an opportunity next year.
“I think that’s likely what he’s going to do. I think that bringing in a new head that’s going to be bring nine new assistants in ... that’s out of the question. I think it’s too late in the game.”
Roussel said he doesn’t expect Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart tobe a serious candidate for the Arkansas job now or after the 2012 season if the Razorbacks have an interim coach.
“I still believe Arkansas ends up going with a proven head coach,” Roussel said. “Not that Kirby Smart wouldn’t do a good job ... but the Arkansas job, with the facilities they have, with the resources they have, there’s going to be a number of people that really, really want this job. Guys that are proven head coaches, guys that are winning or have won in the past.”
Long said Thursday night that Taver Johnson, who was hired Jan. 15 as the Razorbacks’ assistant head coach and linebackers coach, will continue to be interim head coach at least through the rest of spring practice, which endsApril 21 with the Red-White game. Johnson has been interim coach since last Thursday, when Long placed Petrino on administrative leave.
Long said he hasn’t ruled out having an interim coach for the 2012 season or hiring a new head coach.
Sports, Pages 17 on 04/12/2012