Grobe Tapped To Lead Razorbacks

Last updated Wednesday, December 5, 2007 9:11 PM CST in News

By Harry King and Alex Abrams
The Morning News

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    FAYETTEVILLE — Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe is going to be the next football coach at the University of Arkansas and is likely to be introduced today.

    The board of the Razorback Foundation met briefly via conference call Wednesday evening and approved a salary supplement for Grobe, 55, who just completed his seventh season at Wake Forest University.

    The board of trustees members were polled and the majority backed Grobe’s hire.

    The contract is apparently around $2.2 million per year for five years.

    A coach’s salary from state funds is limited, so the foundation must agree to guarantee any other money that is promised a coach.

    For instance, former coach Houston Nutt received a state salary of $330,000, but his total package was about $1.5 million. Among other things, Nutt was guaranteed $600,000 for radio-TV and $250,000 for speaking engagements.

    The foundation would not be asked to approve a specific compensation package unless Grobe had agreed to the deal. The process was evident on Monday night, when the board was supposed to meet to approve money for Clemson coach Tommy Bowden.

    The meeting was postponed twice and then canceled when Bowden agreed to a contract extension at Clemson.

    At one point, it appeared the foundation would bump Bowden’s salary so he could personally take care of a buyout at Clemson. The same process could be in play with Grobe, whose contract reportedly includes a buyout of $2 million.

    It is believed incoming Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long zeroed in on Bowden and Grobe as his top two choices in the days after Nutt resigned. People interested in the search were told Long would hire the best coach available.

    University Chancellor John White indicated in an e-mail to The Morning News on Wednesday the search to find Nutt’s replacement was close to being finished.

    “I am confident (Long) will complete the search within the next few days. As I said to one of the reporters earlier in the week, I fully expect the process to be brought to successful closure before the end of the week,” White wrote in his e-mail.

    “Based on my most recent discussions with Jeff, I believe that timeline is feasible.”

    Wake Forest assistant athletic director Steve Shutt said Wednesday it was against university policy to say whether Arkansas asked for permission to speak with Grobe.

    Grobe has a 45-39 record leading Wake Forest’s Demon Deacons, including an 11-3 Orange Bowl team last year and an 8-4 team this year headed for the Meineke Bowl. Following last season, he signed an extension through 2016 for what was believed to be about $1.1 million per year.

    Grobe’s name has come up lately for several coaching vacancies, including both the Michigan and Nebraska jobs. He said Monday he’s happy at Wake Forest, though he’s not opposed to listening to schools interested in him.

    Grobe acknowledged this week he’s been approached by several schools over the past two years, but he wouldn’t name any specifically.

    His hire ends nearly two weeks of uncertainty, in which Arkansas’ players have seen Nutt leave and hire five of his former assistant coaches to join him in Oxford.

    At the same time, defensive coordinator Reggie Herring has taken over as interim head coach while names such as Auburn’s Tommy Tuberville have been rumored to be on their way to Fayetteville.

    “We’ve all just been curious about who the next coach would be. We heard about Tuberville and Bowden, but those guys made decisions to stay at their schools,” Arkansas strong safety Matt Hewitt following Wednesday’s practice.

    “Everybody’s biting their fingernails right now to see who’s going to be the next head coach here.”

    Personal Profile

    *Born: Feb. 17, 1952, in Huntington, W.V.

    *Family: wife, Holly; sons Matt (daughter-in-law Melanie), Ben; grandchildren Mackenzie and Cameron

    *Education: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.; master’s in education, 1978; bacherlor’s in education, 1975; Ferrum Junior College, Ferrum, Va., associates of science, 1975

    *Playing History: University of Virginia, 1973-74; middle guard, 1973, linebacker, 1974; two-year starter; Academic All-ACC selection; Ferrum Junior College, linebacker, 1971-72; Catlin Citizenship Award; Big Green Award

    Coaching Record

    Year School Record Conf. Bowl

    2007 Wake Forest 8-4 5-3 Meineke Bowl vs. UConn

    2006 Wake Forest 11-3 6-2 Orange (L)

    2005 Wake Forest 4-7 3-5

    2004 Wake Forest 4-7 1-7

    2003 Wake Forest 5-7 3-5

    2002 Wake Forest 7-6 3-5 Seattle (W)

    2001 Wake Forest 6-5 3-5

    2000 Ohio 7-4 5-3

    1999 Ohio 5-6 5-3

    1998 Ohio 5-6 5-3

    1997 Ohio 8-3 6-2

    1996 Ohio 6-6 5-3

    1995 Ohio 2-8-1 1-6-1

    Totals 78-72-1 51-52-1

    As An Assistant Coach

    Year School Record Conf. Bowl

    1994 Air Force 8-4 6-2

    1993 Air Force 4-8 1-7

    1992 Air Force 7-5 4-4 Liberty (L)

    1991 Air Force 10-3 6-2 Liberty (W)

    1990 Air Force 7-5 3-4 Liberty (W)

    1989 Air Force 8-4-1 5-1-1 Liberty (L)

    1988 Air Force 5-7 3-6

    1987 Air Force 9-4 6-2 Freedom (L)

    1986 Air Force 6-5 6-2

    1985 Air Force 12-1 7-1 Bluebonnet (W)

    1984 Air Force 8-4 4-3 Independence (W)

    1983 Marshall 4-7 3-4

    1982 Marshall 3-8 1-6

    1981 Marshall 2-9 1-5

    1980 Marshall 2-8-1 0-5-1

    1979 Marshall 1-10 0-6

    1978 Emory & Henry 2-7 2-2

    Coaching Honors

    * 2006 Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year

    * 1996 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year

    Reader Comments (36 comment(s))


    The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsibility of their authors. The Morning News does not review comments before their publication, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by our comment policy. If you see a comment that violates our policy, please notify the web editor.

    mikehog wrote on Dec 5, 2007 8:34 PM:

    " What a LOSER. "

    eldorado wrote on Dec 5, 2007 8:51 PM:

    " Well here comes the Nuttin naysayers. I remember saying, "Lou Who?". Not a bad record for a historic program equivalent to Vandy or Baylor. Give him a chance! "

    mikehog wrote on Dec 5, 2007 8:52 PM:

    " I was just teasin. Hope he does great here! "

    django wrote on Dec 5, 2007 10:36 PM:

    " Welcome coach whoever! Did Lane Kiffin withdraw himself from consideration or did the UA rule out anyone but good 'ol bubbas? "

    HogFanInTenn wrote on Dec 5, 2007 10:45 PM:

    " Okay, for what it's worth, I think this is a good hire. Consider what he did last year. The conference has been down for a while, which means they are not going to get the SEC type players. He still managed a good year, and a pretty good follow up. This is an indication that he can get the best out of his players, not necessarily the best players, BUT, he now recruits for an SEC team. If this is our hire, if this is the man that is going to lead our young players, let's get behind him. Don't crucify him after going 7-5 or 6-6 next year. Saban went 6-6 this past year, I put a 20 on him not doing it again next year. He will definitely look better in the Cardinal and White as opposed to the Gold and White (or Black or whatever). GO HOGS!!! "

    django wrote on Dec 5, 2007 10:51 PM:

    " There's reason to hope.Grobe and Holtz were both born in West Virginia.Maybe there's something in the water there.I certainly welcome the new Coach,but I still question the mindset behind the hiring process. Here's hoping for a successful career at UA! "

    fmf0301 wrote on Dec 5, 2007 11:05 PM:

    " HOORAY TEN MORE YEARS OF MEDIOCRITY!!!! I CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE BEATING ENOUGH CUPCAKE TEAMS AND LOSING TO THE BIG NAME TEAMS TO GET US INTO THE "ALWAYS SAVE" BOWL ON DEC 20TH, SO WE CAN FOCUS ON OUR BASKETBALL TEAM. TO THE RAZORBACK FOUNDATION YOU KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT WHAT THE FANS WANT, BUT YET AGAIN WHAT DO YOU CARE YOU HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT THE FANS IN YEARS. "

    hog wild wrote on Dec 5, 2007 11:22 PM:

    " don't think it's official yet, so we still have hope!!! I'm not impressed with his career record listed. WHAT HAPPEN TO THE BIG NAMES AND MONEY NOT BEING AN OPTION EVERYONE THAT SAID SUCH THINGS??? "

    eldorado wrote on Dec 5, 2007 11:23 PM:

    " I understand your frustration, fmf0301, but we need to get behind this coach and attempt to heal our wounds. If you look at Wake's schedule the only opponents closest to being cupcakes are the military academy teams. Some are common opponents like Vandy. Grobe's bowl record looks much better than any of our recent hires. "

    Bama Confusion wrote on Dec 5, 2007 11:28 PM:

    " This guy has a lot of fans. He is very highly respected. The posts down here in Alabama are very complimentary of Arkansas if this is true. I have a much better feeling about this over Bowden. Do some research on this guy. I think you'll be impressed. "

    UA KappaSig 06 wrote on Dec 5, 2007 11:47 PM:

    " This isn't exactly the big name hire that all the fans were looking for, but at least this isn't some established guy who has had the chance to take a team to the championship level and failed repeatedly, which is exactly what Nutt and Bowden are. He's been recruiting to and coaching at WAKE FOREST! Things will be a little easier at Arkansas recruiting-wise and he will definitely have the opportunity to get to the next level. Also, we need to look at the other schools that were interested in him: Michigan, Nebraska, etc. That means he's impressed more people than just Jeff Long. Not a bad hire. "

    7688 wrote on Dec 6, 2007 1:35 AM:

    " Well I was hoping to see Gus come back on board personally. Hopefully this won't bite us. "

    calhawgfan wrote on Dec 6, 2007 5:04 AM:

    " I would love to see Gus back here, but there is a "rumor" that he may go to Texas. Whatever the case, Coach Grobe will be a fine selection for us. He has something that we were lacking in our previous HC, and that is Integrity! He is highly regarded around the country and, from reading the "Deacon" boards last night, he will be sorely missed at WF. We "MUST" get together, as fans, and back this coaching staff, and end all this negativity. This a very positive step forward for our football program and I am looking forward to the future of Hawg Footbal. That is, assuming he will sign with the UofA, of course. "

    S.CarolinaHog wrote on Dec 6, 2007 6:26 AM:

    " well, lm glad to see most everybody say nice things! yeah, this cat isnt young, but anybody that can win at Wake cant be all bad. heck, they dont have but 3000 students there. and he runs a spread offense! werent we supposed to have that the last few years? maybe we can get some receivers and a passer now. SWEET!! let's support Grobe! Go Hogs! "

    richman895 wrote on Dec 6, 2007 6:43 AM:

    " Please, enough of the Gus Drama, So he was a good High School coach, he needs about 4 years and then he can go to a school like North texas. What people dont know is that the wildcat package was in the playbooks when Matt jones was here. we just did not have a guy like felix to do the motion set. so as Far as coach grobe goes, He is a Lou Holtz kind of guy, No one here will be happy will any coach so give it a try and see what happens. Wake is a mid tier school and you have to accept that the Ark job is a tough one. We can hope for the moon but really we need to finally be able to fill the position. He will win 8-9 a year and maybe a conference title every 4 years. This is reality folks. as far as a NC goes this takes tons of lucky breaks. And losing 2 games can get you into the NC game.. I think michigan and NEB have a bit more entrenched history that our program, so why would they consider him?? hes a winner!! "

    hogs4ever wrote on Dec 6, 2007 6:44 AM:

    " Hope this is not another false start/rumor. I'd be glad to see him sign with Arkansas. Let's get him on board and recuiting some great kids to be Razorbacks. If he can build a good football program at Wake Forest he ought to be great at Arkansas. Go Hogs! "

    sigpooie wrote on Dec 6, 2007 6:53 AM:

    " Thank you Mr. Sexton, This guy is a Holtzfield. He will win, he can talk a kid into comming to a school with a soso program, and looking at his record did not hurt either. I Say Grobe hogs Grobe.. "

    dragonfly wrote on Dec 6, 2007 7:36 AM:

    " Well, Looking at his record, including last year he is at 50%. I just don't understand why A.D. Long would hire someone like Grobe. Yes he was coach of the year. But I look at his record and shutter. It just doesn't make sense. We need someone to turn the program around and I can't see that happening with this guy. We need to spend our money wisely and not just settle. I think that is what we are doing is settling. I also think the media has had an adverse affect on the Hogs hiring a good coach. Some times they need to keep their information to themselves and not tell everything they know or think they know. I think that has scared some good canidates off. Use your information wisely not foolishly. "

    Old Hog Fan wrote on Dec 6, 2007 7:43 AM:

    " Give the guy a chance. My first reaction was that's a mistake. However, taking Wake Forest to BCS bowl is like taking Rice to a BCS bowl. Look at the balance he puts into his offense. Look at the emphasis on defense and special teams. Okay, I'm on board. "

    hogs4ever wrote on Dec 6, 2007 7:53 AM:

    " Any coach, particularly at the salaries being paid today, should produce good teams to keep their job. Any true fan should give the coach a chance and support. I can't blame the media for the recent "damage" to Arkansas football. I blame poor management/handling of team problems and outlandish statements and actions by "fans". Grobe should be given time to prove himself at Arkansas....by the school and the fans. "

    Swinehunt wrote on Dec 6, 2007 8:09 AM:

    " I will hold my opinion in check for the time being [not that anyone cares]. I do know that Grobe is steping into a "dog eat dog" super power league. I hope we can win a couple of games next season. "

    bhamhawg wrote on Dec 6, 2007 8:16 AM:

    " Giving him a chance means several years folks. We are losing more talent than we have ever lost at Arkansas to graduation/NFL, especially if Luigs and Felix both go too. We could be looking at 3-9 next year. I hope the guys that verbally committed to us decide to still come to Fayetteville, chances are that several of them will start as true freshmen. I hope he hires some assistants that are familiar with Texas recruiting. I noticed that he has never signed a player with more than 3 stars (if you believe in recruiting services). I will fully support whoever we hire. I just hope we can beat Ole Miss to get to 4-8. Anything more will be a pleasant surprise. Getting to a bowl next year should be "SEC coach of the year Grobe". "

    conchicki wrote on Dec 6, 2007 8:17 AM:

    " Welcome to the new coach. I sure hope the "fans' don't start whining, crying, and acting like children until he completes a season and we see what he is capable of. These so called "fans" will act like the tacky and embarrass us real fans, once again. Maybe we need a fan overhaul, get rid of the whiners. "

    Hoggish1 wrote on Dec 6, 2007 8:43 AM:

    " This is a smart hire. Anybody who has gotten on the boards of SEC and ACC schools will find two things: Everybody respects him and thinks he gets more out of his recruits than any other coach. He does more with less than anybody, even the coach who was just fired, but Grobe has a balanced offense and he is a defensive minded HC by background as an assistant and player. Now he will recruit to a SEC school and that will help him greatly. He can concentrate on becoming a mentor to Arkansas HS coaches, something Nutt never was. He will go into TX and be a force recruiting top players to the SEC to a program that had/will have a presence in the SWest. The games with TX and Tex A&M for 10 years in Jones' stadium will put him over the top. In short, he is a tough, smart, players coach with discipline and integrity. Can't ask for more. "

    Hogrider wrote on Dec 6, 2007 8:48 AM:

    " Hearing now that Grobe has turned down Arkansas offer.... "

    MisterE wrote on Dec 6, 2007 9:04 AM:

    " HOGRIDER........where did you hear that? "

    AustinHOG wrote on Dec 6, 2007 9:05 AM:

    " Becareful about just looking at his overall win-loss record. When he was at Ohio they one just 17 games in TEN YEARS! By the time he left them they were at 0.500 that's improvement folks...and not working with alot of talent there or at Wake...yet he wins them their first conference title EVER and has taken them to a BCS bowl and another bowl in back to back years for the first time in Wake Forest history. I think that speaks volumes about this guys ability to coach. He's a well respected coach and we should all give him a chance to see what he can do with better talent. GO HOGS! "

    Hogrider wrote on Dec 6, 2007 9:07 AM:

    " Clay Henry posted about 20 min. ago on Hawgs Illustrated.....sorry, I have no details beyond that. A friend of mine who is a subscriber just called and told me...you know...sources. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it isn't true. "

    pgjohnw wrote on Dec 6, 2007 9:08 AM:

    " now i'm hearing wf offered him more money and he is staying there. who wants to come here and put up with our "fans"? "

    Hogrider wrote on Dec 6, 2007 9:10 AM:

    " Clay Henry posted on Hawgs Illustrated about 20 minutes ago...I have no further details, but am keeping my fingers crossed it isn't true. We'll be laughing stocks of the SEC. "

    JLY wrote on Dec 6, 2007 9:14 AM:

    " THEY SAID ON THE EAGLE RADIO STATION HE'S NOT COMING "

    JLY wrote on Dec 6, 2007 9:18 AM:

    " its also on espn sports radio "

    bhamhawg wrote on Dec 6, 2007 9:24 AM:

    " he probably gave Nutt a call and saw how the fans would treat him after his 2 best seasons. Try to get Charlie Strong or Venables now, now, NOW!!!! "

    MisterE wrote on Dec 6, 2007 9:27 AM:

    " Pathetic! Jeff Long said he is quite cabable of hiring a new coach...... No so sure now. "

    MisterE wrote on Dec 6, 2007 9:28 AM:

    " Keep Reggie ! He wants the job..... or at least he did before all this... "

    missy wrote on Dec 6, 2007 9:29 AM:

    " Well maybe all you Gus fans will get your wish. This is ridiculas. Grobe was a great choice for Arkansas. All of the fans that wanted Houston gone, I hope you are happy with what you wished for "


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