FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas football Coach Bret Bielema put a wrap on the 2014 football season on Monday, and the message he delivered to local media was almost certain to go over well with Razorbacks fans still basking in the season-ending 31-7 victory over Texas.
Good news all around.
First, Beliema said defensive coordinator Robb Smith has signed a new contract, accepting a salary increase and an extension from the 2-year, $500,000-per-year deal he started with last February.
Arkansas is No. 10 nationally in the FBS in total defense after holding Texas to 59 yards during the Texas Bowl, but Bielema said he approached Athletic Director Jeff Long some time before Arkansas' second bye week, before Arkansas ended its 17-game SEC losing streak, to start working on a better pay package for Smith.
"Even before we played LSU, I could see what was coming," Bielema said. "I knew what was happening, and Jeff was very, very proactive and got us to the point where we are."
Details of Smith's salary increase were not revealed, nor were those of other assistant coaches, but Bielema aid they would all come out together when the process is complete.
"I think Robb is very happy," Bielema said. "I could tell you this, he and I enjoy working together very, very much. Jeff was very kind to give us a package that allows him to get a significant bump."
Smith has not done media interviews since Arkansas' bowl victory, but he resent a message from his wife Amy's Twitter account that confirmed his comfort level with the Razorbacks: "The Smiths have enjoyed being a part of the Razorback family in 2014! 249 days to kick off. ... I'm ready!"
Bielema said he interviewed his first candidate to replace departing linebackers coach Randy Shannon on the defensive staff. Shannon, who spent two seasons at Arkansas, was officially announced Monday as an assistant coach at Florida.
The identity of the candidate interviewed Monday by Bielema was not revealed, and Bielema said he was uncertain if the new hire would handle linebackers or some part of the secondary, as Smith has experience at doing both. Smith and Clay Jennings shared defensive back duties in 2014.
"The path I'm going down first is to find a great linebacker coach that can fit in our system that can recruit the state of Florida," Bielema said. "That would be ideal if I could pinpoint it."
Off the field, Bielema said he and his wife, Jen, are dealing with increased celebrity in the aftermath of Arkansas' strong finish, and he told a story about taking "20 pictures in 20 minutes" with fans while shopping at a Wal-Mart on Sunday.
"We didn't get past the produce aisle," Bielema said, "which is better than having food thrown at you I guess."
Another anecdote divulged by Beliema involved how good he felt as the team made its Hog Walk into NRG Stadiun in Houston before last Monday's game.
"When we got off that bus and walked through that gantlet and I knew we were going to win that game," Bielema said. "I mean, I wasn't going around Joe Namathing anybody, predicting it and everything, but I knew we were going to have success. So, by that frenzy and what I knew might transpire after that, it's a really, really fun time."
When asked to reflect on his two years at as Arkansas' coach, Bielema said things keep getting better.
"I'm probably more excited now to be the head coach at Arkansas than I've ever been," he said. "You've heard me say that now several times because it keeps getting better. ... It just reaffirms that you have a plan that is good, you have a faith that you know is unyielding and good things will happen."
Bielema said the players who have signed financial-aid agreements with the Razorbacks are all arriving on campus, including offensive linemen Josh Allen, the most recent to arrive. Arkansas' early enrollees, who will be eligible for spring drills, also includes quarterback Ty Storey, tight end Will Gragg, offensive lineman Zach Rogers, defensive end Daytrieon Dean and defensive linemen Hjalte Froholdt and Jeremiah Ledbetter. The only junior-college signee in the group is Ledbetter.
Bielema returned from Alabama on Saturday after visiting with redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Darius Philon, who is considering entering the NFL Draft as an underclassman, and his father and uncle.
"We've given him a lot of information and been able to let him process through that, and I think Darius kind of goes through things at his own pace," Bielema said. "The thing about Darius, he has an incredible future in front of him. When he's going to take advantage of that opportunity in the NFL is going to be in his hands."
Bielema said he envisions Philon being a team leader on defense if he returns for his junior year.
Safety Rohan Gaines, who was suspended for Arkansas' bowl practices following a violation of team rules in late November, is on track to rejoin the team when classes resume, Bielema said.
"If he comes back and does what he's capable of doing it will probably be one of the greatest lessons that he ever learned in his life," said Bielema, who added that he had conversations with Gaines and his father.
Sports on 01/06/2015