Home / Latest News /
Bielema named head coach at Arkansas
By
Matt Jones
This article was originally published December 4, 2012 at 2:06 p.m. Updated December 4, 2012 at 7:24 p.m.
PHOTO BY AP
Many coaches’ names were mentioned in newspapers and on television and radio, but Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long kept his cards so close to his vest that he shocked the whole nation when it was announced that Wisconsin’s Bret Bielema was Arkansas’ new head coach.
- Comments (37)
- aAFont Size
Do you agree with Bret Bielema's hiring as Arkansas football coach?
- Yes 85% 2560 votes
- No 14% 422 votes
2982 total votes.
Bielema reportedly new coach at Arkansas
Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema will be named the next head coach at Arkansas, according to multip...
More from WholeHogSports
Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema holds up the trophy after Wisconsin defeated Nebraska 70-31 to win the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game Sa...
FAYETTEVILLE — After nearly eight months of searching, Arkansas finally has its new football coach.
Bret Bielema accepted the Razorbacks' coaching position Tuesday, ending a 7-year run as head coach at Wisconsin. He will be formally introduced at a 4 p.m. press conference on Wednesday.
Bielema went 68-24 as coach of the Badgers. His .739 winning percentage is the ninth-highest among active college head coaches who have at least five years experience.
“I am very humbled and honored to become the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks,” Bielema said in a release through the UA. “During my conversation with Jeff (Long) he described the characteristics for the perfect fit to lead this program. It was evident we share the same mission, principles and goals."
Under his tutelage, Wisconsin has won three consecutive Big Ten championships, including a 70-31 win over Nebraska in the league's title game last Saturday.
His teams recorded at least 10 wins four times and will appear in their third consecutive Rose Bowl next month. Bielema is not expected to coach the Badgers (8-5) in the bowl game against Stanford. Wisconsin is 2-4 in bowl games under its former coach, including a 0-2 record in the Rose Bowl.
To conclude the 2006 season, Wisconsin beat Arkansas 17-14 in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Fla. The Badgers finished 12-1 that year, their best record under Bielema.
"Coach Bielema has led his team to a historic run of championships while seeing a record number of student-athletes recognized for academic achievement," UA athletics director Jeff Long said in a release. "Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to competing for a national championship with a program known for discipline, honesty and integrity. His tough, aggressive style of play has been successful and will be appealing to student-athletes and Razorback fans."
Bielema, 42, played college football at Iowa and began his assistant coaching career there in 1994. He spent eight seasons with the Hawkeyes before moving to Kansas State as a co-defensive coordinator in 2002.
He was hired as Wisconsin's defensive coordinator in 2004 and promoted to head coach following Barry Alvarez' promotion to athletics director in 2006.
"I was very surprised when Bret told me he was taking the offer from Arkansas," Alvarez said in a statement. "He did a great job for us during his seven years as head coach, both on the field and off. I want to thank him for his work and wish him the best at Arkansas."
According to the Associated Press, Bielema's Arkansas contract is for six years and is worth $3.2 million. According to those figures and based on an adjusted USA Today list of college football coaching salaries, Bielema would be the 10th-highest paid coach in the country next year.
Bielema's Wisconsin contract paid him more than $2.6 million per year and ran through 2016. Reports Tuesday indicate his buyout there was $1 million.
Bobby Petrino, the former Arkansas coach who was fired in April for misconduct, made $3.56 million annually as part of a seven-year contract signed in 2010. His buyout was $18 million for the first two years.
Forbes rated the Razorbacks as the eighth-most profitable college football program last year at a value of more than $89 million.
At Arkansas, Bielema will be walking into what appears to be an ideal situation in terms of stability. The school has spent millions in recent years to upgrade its facilities and last month extended Long's contract through 2017.
"The infrastructure in place at Arkansas shows the commitment from the administration to accomplish our goals together and I am excited to begin to lead this group of student-athletes," Bielema said. "This program will represent the state of Arkansas in a way Razorback fans everywhere will be proud of.”
Among the additions are a football operations center scheduled to be completed next summer and outdoor practice fields completed earlier this year valued at more than $40 million combined. The university announced earlier this week it will perform a cost analysis to potentially expand its football stadium with a project that could cost as much as $95 million.
Bielema succeeds John L. Smith at the helm of Arkansas' program. Smith signed a short-term contract in April and was reassigned to an administrative position last weekend. The Razorbacks, which combined for 21 wins in the two years prior, finished the 2012 season with a 4-8 record.
Comments on: Bielema named head coach at Arkansas
To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers. Read our Terms of Use policy.
You must login to make comments.
HotSpringsLawyer says... December 4, 2012 at 2:23 p.m.
Wow!
( permalink | suggest removal )
HawgFan says... December 4, 2012 at 2:23 p.m.
Finally it's over.
( permalink | suggest removal )
brado says... December 4, 2012 at 2:29 p.m.
He must have had to been our 5th or 6th choice. I'm just stunned about how mediocre this is.
( permalink | suggest removal )
glennm446208120831 says... December 4, 2012 at 2:35 p.m.
He is a man!!!! He is 42!!!!!
( permalink | suggest removal )
daw says... December 4, 2012 at 2:49 p.m.
Les Miles...no....Bielema, YES. BB won't have that plow horse offense capability here in the SEC. Bucky Badger looked tough Saturday against Nebraska, but how did they figure out how to lose those five games? Zero recruting mojo in the South as well.
( permalink | suggest removal )
WildHog says... December 4, 2012 at 2:52 p.m.
Good hire. Solid record. A winner. I wasnt expecting him, but I like him. Kudos to Long.
( permalink | suggest removal )
TigerInArk says... December 4, 2012 at 2:54 p.m.
Who would've guessed Bielema? He did well at Wisconsin. It'll be interesting to see how he does at Arkansas. He could hire Petrino as the O.C.
( permalink | suggest removal )
myculls says... December 4, 2012 at 2:54 p.m.
Brado... excuse me? You think 3 Big Ten titles in a row & 3 Rose Bowl trips in a row is mediocre?? Wow, by whose standards? Surely not ours! I'm thinking this is VERY, very good! Go Hogs!
( permalink | suggest removal )
rkb555 says... December 4, 2012 at 3:01 p.m.
Hate it....I think this is an awful decision.
( permalink | suggest removal )
tncbg says... December 4, 2012 at 3:16 p.m.
Good hire! Despite what some of our delusional fans might think, Arkansas is not the most attractive job in college football. This guy believes in defense and has been successful at WI. Give him at least three years to recover from the lost season and we will be competitive. I hope he gets a long term, lucrative contract that will give him time to build. Glad it's over!!
( permalink | suggest removal )
Jackabbott says... December 4, 2012 at 3:23 p.m.
Congrats to the new HC. Let the good times roll. Hopefully the nightmare is over.
( permalink | suggest removal )
BarichMilhusseinObamaNixonPOTUS says... December 4, 2012 at 3:25 p.m.
74% winning percentage in the Big Ten, only 42 years old. We are Arkansas not Alabama. This is far from mediocre, and way too early to pronounce anything until he coaches a few games
( permalink | suggest removal )
glennm446208120831 says... December 4, 2012 at 3:27 p.m.
Not sure why we didn't get malzahn. we are gong to get out-recruited every where now.
Not a good decision.
( permalink | suggest removal )
HawgFan says... December 4, 2012 at 3:30 p.m.
Winning will cure everything!!! I think this is a good hire.
( permalink | suggest removal )
PotterPig says... December 4, 2012 at 3:33 p.m.
Wow. Hadn't heard this name in previous conversations, but I think it is actually good. We took a beating in the national press following the Les Miles episode. I think the national media will be surprised someone would leave Wis for Arkansas (despite all of us knowing that's a no-brainer :)). Like so many times before, I'm ready to give this guy a chance. GO HOGS!
( permalink | suggest removal )
RBBrittain says... December 4, 2012 at 3:38 p.m.
He wasn't on many folks' radar, but three consecutive Rose Bowl trips (even if the third was with both Ohio State & Penn State on probation) is good enough for the SEC--even if he is from The Conference That Can't Count.
( permalink | suggest removal )
SRBROTHERINLAW says... December 4, 2012 at 3:48 p.m.
SHUT DOWN THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM AND GO TO STRICTLY AN EDUCATIONAL COLLEGE...THAT WILL END ALL THE BS ABOUT COACHES AND PLAYERS
( permalink | suggest removal )
7 says... December 4, 2012 at 3:56 p.m.
Bret Bielema seems to be a great hire at Arkansas. The very best to Bret Bielema.
( permalink | suggest removal )
RonalFos says... December 4, 2012 at 4:12 p.m.
I think this is a great hire for Arkansas and I hope he does honor his Wisconsin team and coach the Rose bowl. Nothing irks me more than a coach leaving before bowl games. I wish there was a $10 million penalty for leaving before bowl games. It is grossly unfair to players for coaches to leave before the season is over.
( permalink | suggest removal )
Smash says... December 4, 2012 at 4:25 p.m.
This was not Longs 5th or 6th pick! He must have been on his radar from day 1 and is an interesting hire. Bielema has been successful at Wisc with limited resources so no telling what he can do here with unlimited resources. We know he can produce NFL linemen and likes running the ball and when he has a QB likes to have a balanced attack. No one expected this hire so everyone is still trying to digest it but overall we got a winning coach. Hopefully this yankee will pan out like Saban, Miles and Meyer's did.
( permalink | suggest removal )
mkm157 says... December 4, 2012 at 4:45 p.m.
Go Hogs! Not the name most expected but Long did the same thing when he hired Petrino. He is a proven winner. He has my support! Go Coach Bielema.
( permalink | suggest removal )
abigoboy_aol.com says... December 4, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.
You cannot win against the big boys in the SEC without a strong defense and running game. This guy is noted for both. Petrino was strong offensively but he did not beat Alabama. I think this guy will be just what the Razorbacks need.
( permalink | suggest removal )
poppy1 says... December 4, 2012 at 5:39 p.m.
Good news. Wonder what Mark May is thinking? And for you naysayers; you have been listening to everybody but someone who might know what they are talking about. Jeff long would make a great poker player. Good luck CBB! Glad to have you!
( permalink | suggest removal )
willmp2003 says... December 4, 2012 at 5:43 p.m.
I grew up and live in Wisconsin and enjoy following the Badgers. This was a huge mistake for Arkansas to make. Wisconsin completely fell apart this year without the great assistants that left, showing Bielema's true colors. He's made so many bone headed mistakes over the past few years. Last year Wisconsin should have been undefeated and in the national championship game...just look at what Wilson is doing in the NFL. There was really no excuse for Wisconsin losing a single game this year. The Big 10 was awful. Everyone here is celebrating the news. I am literally going to a leaving party tonight!
( permalink | suggest removal )
DerbiRider says... December 4, 2012 at 5:49 p.m.
At least we finally get a coach from true hog country. This guy may have actually called real hogs before. Should Bret B. do well, Jeff Long will appreciate being extracted from the slop trough many have him in now.
( permalink | suggest removal )
Texan1944 says... December 4, 2012 at 6:50 p.m.
Guess I am shocked only because I know nothing abut the guy. No matter who the hire, NO ONE will gurantee a winner. Personally wanted Gus M. but then, that desn't guarantee a winner either. Be verrry interewting who he hires as his assistants. Right now,think that will make or break him.With what Gus is getting at Auburn, He should do well immediately.
( permalink | suggest removal )
Ran2133 says... December 4, 2012 at 7:10 p.m.
We will all know if this was a god hire or not in about 3 to 4 years. I hope it turns out good. A lot depends on recruiting as well as the coaching staff.
( permalink | suggest removal )
xisbum_aol.com says... December 4, 2012 at 7:34 p.m.
Looks like a good, serious hire. If Hog fans let him have 3 years to build, wouldn't be surprised to see him mount consistent challenges to Sabin and Miles in the SEC West.
( permalink | suggest removal )
poppy1 says... December 4, 2012 at 8:02 p.m.
From the amount of "Good Riddances" and other insults I've seen from the frozen turf people this guy must have been a great coach. Bad coaches don't rate this much venom on departure. I remember when Lou Holtz and Kenny Hatfield left Arkansas. The "don't let the door hit you the butts" went on forever; even in the days before the 'net.
( permalink | suggest removal )
ExBadger says... December 4, 2012 at 8:42 p.m.
Best of luck to Arkansas fans. Many of us Badger fans and Alumni were wondering if he would be fired if he didn't win the Big Ten Championship game against Nebraska. He is a good coach but he will only get you to a certain level. Many people in the press were calling for his head after some of the poor game management he displayed in the past. Particularly in the three over time losses this season. This along with his propensity to be satisfied with mediocre recruiting classes is a huge frustration to the fans. He finds a few diamonds in the rough but strikes out much more than he succeeds. He will put a solid team on the field and you will be bowl bound every year. However, he is never going to take a team over the top to a BCS Championship. Quite frankly, there seems to be a general feeling of relief around here that he is leaving. It was time for him to go. Best of luck to you and your team.
( permalink | suggest removal )
Wassup says... December 4, 2012 at 9:05 p.m.
"This season Bielema was able to get Maryland transfer Danny O'Brien at quarterback. However, a series of injuries and a slow start led to his worst season since 2008 when the Badgers went 7-6.
Bielema is 2-4 in bowl games. He played at Iowa and was an assistant at the school as well coaching under Bill Snyder at Kansas State before moving to Wisconsin.
Bielema's philosophy figures to fit in well in the SEC. If he follows his Wisconsin ways, Arkansas can look forward to a crushing ground game to go along with a solid defense. Sounds a lot like a certain defending national champion.
Makes sense. The last sitting Big Ten coach to leave for the SEC was Nick Saban in 2000."
( permalink | suggest removal )
mikef says... December 4, 2012 at 9:47 p.m.
Good job, Jeff. Don't forget the state of Texas in recruiting. It's a must
( permalink | suggest removal )
Drumroll says... December 5, 2012 at 8:23 a.m.
I like the hire. He's defense minded and that has hurt the Hogs. I love what Petrino did but he did neglect recruiting when it came to the defensive side of the ball.
( permalink | suggest removal )
dedrington6002111234 says... December 5, 2012 at 11:49 a.m.
Hawgfan is right its finally over and for quite some time. Nice to see all the blind optimisim. Now for the reality, this guy won some games in the Big 10 very weak conference by SEC standards. He has no recruiting ties anywhere in the south it takes time to develop that. Hogs dont have time. This will go down as another of many bad decisions. You cant win in the sec without upper tier recruits most of which come from the south and Texas, and this guy isnt gonna get those anytime soon! Should have picked Tubb or Smart or at least someone with ties to the southern network!
( permalink | suggest removal )
BadgerBoomer says... December 5, 2012 at 4:10 p.m.
UW's loss is UA's gain. Brett's a GREAT hire considering some of the coaches UA has had in the past. He's passionate, a proven winner, very hard worker, great motivator, pragmatic recruiter, hyper-aggressive in-game coaching style, emphasizes defense first (but was often criticized for running up the score). Badger fans got spoiled. They didn't like his Iowa Hawkeye tattoo and the fact he never won a Rose Bowl (getting there 3 years in a row is no longer good enough). You're gonna love this guy! He already speaks "Hawg"!
( permalink | suggest removal )
BillSmith says... December 5, 2012 at 11:08 p.m.
SRBROTHERINLAW......... I found something I agree with you on.
( permalink | suggest removal )
To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers. Read our Terms of Use policy.