FAYETTEVILLE - Every embattled college head football coach knows this old axiom.
Never redshirt for the next coach any players you think can help you remain the coach.
Bret Bielema couldn't follow that formula.
Now he's Arkansas' ex-coach gifting new coach Chad Morris the Razorbacks' best receiver and an extra year for the Razorbacks' best cornerback going into today's season-opener at Reynolds Razorback Stadium against Eastern Illinois.
Of course it wasn't by choice that Bielema redshirted now fifth-year senior receiver Jared Cornelius and now fourth-year junior cornerback Ryan Pulley.
Injuries compelled applying them for 2017 eligibility retaining medical hardships into 2018.
Pulley tore pectoral muscles, a season-ending injury, during the second quarter of last season's first game.
Cornelius exited for football 2017 during Game Three, the SEC opener against Texas A&M. He caught the first touchdown pass of Arkansas' 21-17 leading first half. The first play of the second half Cornelius tore his Achilles tendon.
Arkansas lost 50-43 in overtime.
It could be conjectured that Bielema might still coach Arkansas off a 7-5 regular 2017 season then a bowl game instead of 4-8 and fired had Pulley and Cornelius been completely available against Texas A&M at the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium and close but no cigar 28-21 and 48-45 losses in Fayetteville to Mississippi State and Missouri.
In 2016 Pulley broke up 13 passes, second in the SEC. Cornelius, explosively versatile in 2016, caught 32 passes for 515 yards and four touchdowns, rushed 13 times for 53 yards and a touchdown and returned punts.
Fate made Bielema's loss become Morris' gain.
Now healthy, maybe it's to Cornelius and Pulley's benefit, too. They exude excitement starting a new regime's fresh start. Both assert last year's time lost makes them appreciate football way more than before.
"I'm so excited," Pulley said. "I've been out 365 days, man. It's time to get to work."
Cornelius said he saw his football life tearing away upon the Achilles tendon's tear.
"You don't know if you are ever going to play football again," Cornelius said. "That injury taught me don't take anything for granted. I really want to take advantage of this year and come out to practice every day like it could be my last. And it could be my last because honestly you never know."
Both say they are thrilled starting this first game for their new coaches and old teammates equally thrilled to have them.
"He's the same, old J-Red," junior receiver La'Michael Pettway said of Cornelius' return to full health and never left perch as a team leader. Cornelius is a game captain today.
Senior safety Santos Ramirez said Pulley injects skill and moxie.
"One of the best corners in the country, man," Ramirez said. "He's going to be out there and in their face and making plays."
Morris couldn't be happier for them and to have them.
"I know there won't be anybody more jacked up and ready to go than those guys this Saturday," Morris said.
Sports on 09/01/2018