It’s always interesting on the Hill. Over the years, that’s become my catch phrase for when I’m stuck for words about the daily events that transpire in and around the University of Arkansas’ athletics program. Even the dull moments have their own flavor, but for about the last two years there has hardly been a dull moment with Razorback athletics. Tuesday was no different. The word that Dana Altman had stepped down as the Razorbacks’ head basketball coach just a little over 24 hours after he was officially announced for the position, struck me like a club upside my head. I’m sure many of you felt a similar sensation.

Altman’s backpedalling was an even a bigger surprise than when Frank Broyles fired Jack Crowe after the Hogs were upset 10-3 by The Citadel in the 1992 football season opener.

I actually joked to a friend that Broyles might pull the string on Crowe the following Sunday at lunch, but in my naiveté, I didn’t truly believe it would happen. But by late afternoon Crowe was as gone then as Altman is now.

My first thought upon learning of Altman’s decision was what an embarrassment to the UA, but like many of my first thoughts, it was absolutely wrong.

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The only person who should feel any shame over this ordeal is Altman. It was his mistake to step into a deeper pool than Creighton’s with cold feet.

Altman had been a highly pursued coach in recent years because of his success at Creighton, but after this fiasco, it’s doubtful big-name suitors will continue to call.

That being said, Altman did all involved a favor by backing out as quickly as he did. If his heart is in Omaha, Neb., that’s where he needs to be. The Razorbacks and their fans deserve a coach who wants to be in Fayetteville and wants to restore the program to its rightful place among the best basketball programs in the nation. If that task seems too daunting to a coach, he’s not the right fit for the UA.

Coach Search Theme

With Arkansas’ coach search entering its second week, it needs a theme song. Might I suggest the 1984 Kinks’ tune “ Do It Again. ” It’s hook is the rather catchy, “ Back where we started, here we go ’round again. Back where we started, come on do it again. ”

Executive Search Firm

It should be comforting to Hog fans that Chancellor John White said the UA would employ an executive search firm to help to help provide data on potential coaching candidates. The Razorbacks worked through their short list last week, and new ideas could be a benefit. That’s not to say it was a poor decision to put Broyles on a seek-and-hire mission last week, but at this point, a new direction could prove more fruitful.

Discretion Necessary

Of late the UA athletics department has had more leaks than a faucet in the Watergate building, and those leaks have been detrimental to the program in ways too numerous to count. The fact that every Hog fan knew the names on Broyles’ short list of potential coaches weeks before Stan Heath was fired is only the most recent example. Floating names like Billy Gillispie and Bill Self to the media may have seemed like a good idea to allay fans’ fears for the program following the embarrassing late February loss to Tennessee, but all it did was blow up in the UA’s face. When those coaches passed, any coach hired would seem like a hand-medown in comparison. Now that the coach hunt has entered Round 3 (or is it Round 4 ?), it should be evident that raising great expectations is only wise when you’re sure you can deliver.

My Favorites

Since it first became apparent Arkansas might be looking for a new coach, two of my favorite names were UNLV’s Lon Kruger and Rick Majerus. Kruger’s Runnin’ Rebels made the Sweet 16 this season, making him just one of five coaches to guide four different teams to the NCAA Tournament. His 1994 Florida squad put the Gators on the national basketball map with a trip to the Final Four, setting the table for Billy Donovan, who succeeded him. I like the fact that success has followed Kruger, who also had stints at Kansas State and Illinois, everywhere he’s coached on the college level. His teams are always solid defensively and he knows how to put points on the board as well.

The sticking point, though, is he may be very happy in Vegas where basketball takes a back seat to no sport, other than betting.

As for Majerus, I think he would be a great fit if he were truly committed to returning to the bench.

While he has the build of an NFL offensive line coach or defensive coordinator, his mind is all basketball, and if the Hogs were to hire him, it would be one of the greatest gifts ever given to Steven Hill, Darian Townes and Michael Washington.

As Utah’s head coach, he got the most out of his big men and many of them were not as gifted as the aforementioned trio.

Majerus, who prefers to live out of a hotel rather than a home or an apartment, is a character, too, whom Razorback fans would warm to easily. Heck, he could take up residence in the Inn at Carnal Hall and be right a home, less than a mile away from Walton Arena.

Being a Wisconsin native, Majerus, who was mentored by the great Al McGuire at Marquette, would probably become fast friends with former UA baseball coach Norm DeBriyn and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports writer Bob Holt.

He and Reggie Herring could also share notes on the creative use of expletives in motivation and storytelling, but I digress.

Obviously, Majerus ’ health and age, 59, would be a concern, but those who think the Hogs’ next basketball coach will be at the school for more than seven seasons aren’t being realistic.

In today’s climate of exaggerated expectations and inflated salaries, coaches are going to have shorter and shorter stays at schools. Successful coaches will make moves and the ones who can’t meet fans desires will be moved along even faster.

Terry J. Wood is the sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.