Hog Calls

Rhoads a valuable addition for Hogs

NWA Democrat-Gazette/MICHAEL WOODS • @NWAMICHAELW
University of Arkansas defensive backs coach Paul Rhoads works with the defensive backs during practice Thursday, April 21, 2016 in Fayetteville.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/MICHAEL WOODS • @NWAMICHAELW University of Arkansas defensive backs coach Paul Rhoads works with the defensive backs during practice Thursday, April 21, 2016 in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- During one of those question/statements pervading at last week's SEC media days in Hoover, Ala., new Arkansas secondary coach Paul Rhoads was endorsed in an answer by Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema.

The questioner on the SEC Network ended his question with, "I think he might be the best position coach hire in the country."

Bielema concurred.

With surprising early success, Rhoads from 2009-2015 coached Iowa State -- a longer than customary tenure at that Big 12 football graveyard -- and was the University of Pittsburgh's defensive coordinator from 2000 through 2007 and coordinated Auburn's defense in 2008.

So his credentials rank above your typical position coach.

"He's been off the charts," Bielema said. "As a head coach, one of the first things I want to do is hire another head coach. Because once you have been in this position you have an awareness factor that is off the charts with attention to detail. The kids were magnetized by him. What he's brought in also helped my defensive coordinator, Robb Smith."

Bielema asserts Smith -- never a head coach but much acclaimed for coordinating an Arkansas defense that in 2014 posted successive shutouts over LSU and Ole Miss -- and Rhoads have meshed well.

For Smith, it's not a new fit with a high-profile former head coach. Randy Shannon, the former Miami coach, coached linebackers on Smith's 2014 Arkansas defense.

"There is a relationship built there that has really been a great thing to witness," Bielema said.

THORPE CUP IN FAYETTEVILLE

The Thorpe Cup, since 1993 an annual two-day men's decathlon and women's heptathlon competition between the U.S. and Germany, comes to the University of Arkansas' John McDonnell Field outdoor track July 29-30.

In this Olympic year with the top three decathletes and heptathletes from both countries bound for next month's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the next best seven from the U.S. and Germany Olympic Trials should converge in Fayetteville, says Arkansas men's field events coach Travis Geopfert.

Competition begins at 5 p.m. both days and is preceded with a July 28 introduction of the athletes on the Fayetteville Square and a dinner at the Chancellor Hotel attended by some of the greatest former U.S. Olympic decathletes.

Dan O'Brien (Olympic gold 1996), Dave Johnson (1992 Olympic bronze) and Chris Huffins (Olympic bronze 2000) are among those who have been extended invitations and expressed intentions to come.

Rafer Johnson (Olympic silver and gold in 1956 and 1960, respectively) regretfully declined, Geopfert said. As of Tuesday, Geopfert awaited a call back from Bill Toomey (Olympic gold 1968) and had not heard from Caitlyn (formerly Bruce) Jenner (Olympic gold 1976).

"I have definitely made the effort, and if Jenner reaches back, it would be great," Geopfert said "Rafer Johnson got back to me, and he can't make it. That would have been really cool if he could have come."

Sports on 07/20/2016

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