FAYETTEVILLE -- If Lane Kiffin indeed becomes the Razorbacks' next head football coach, perhaps his father can educate the current Florida Atlantic University coach that thoroughly recruiting instate Arkansas prospects looms essential to reviving the Razorbacks.
Monte Kiffin was defensive coordinator for Lou Holtz's 11-1, 9-2-1 and 10-2 Razorbacks from 1977-79.
Kiffin's 1977 defense that stopped, 31-6 and supposedly unstoppable, prohibitively favored Oklahoma Sooners in the Orange Bowl, started seven Arkansans. Defensive lineman Dan Hampton of Jacksonville and Jimmy Walker of Little Rock Central, both becoming diamonds in the rough All-Americans, nose guard Dale White of Benton, defensive end Jerry Saxton of Biscoe, linebackers Larry Jackson of Hot Springs and William Hampton of Forrest City, and safety Brad Shoup of Carlisle, weren't deemed star-studded blue-chippers when signed by the Frank Broyles 1975 staff.
Yet as extra incentive Arkies for Arkansas, they starred above nearly all projected to star against them.
CALLED ABOUT BEFORE HIS TIME
A backup offensive lineman may not seem special among Razorbacks, but Thurman Shaw provides a special case.
In my 46 years covering the Razorbacks, Thurman became the first whose teammates called volunteering plaudits for his obituary while the player still lived.
The June 4 stroke in recent months putting Thurman at death's door claimed him Friday morning.
Originally from Pine Bluff and an All-State Pine Bluff Zebra, Thurman lettered for Lou Holtz's 1979-81 Razorbacks. He was a backup offensive guard. After 15 years working for Hiland Dairy in Fayetteville, Thurman high school coached at Prairie Grove and Fayetteville.
He became Elkins' head coach before returning to Pine Bluff assisting at Watson Chapel while tending to his since deceased mother.
Thurman's Razorbacks on-field contributions were backup fine for the O-line. But it was his good guy impact prompting old Razorbacks teammates Mike Burlingame, the 1979 center of tongue in cheek Heisman Trophy candidate fame, and Steve Cox, the longtime NFL kicker and current member of the UA Board of Trustees, to call more than a month before Thurman's passing.
"Thurman Shaw is probably one of the best people there is," Burlingame said. "I never heard anyone say a bad thing about Thurman Shaw."
Cox called that same day recalling how those Razorbacks football players played basketball for charities throughout the state in the winters and summers.
"We did a lot of benefit basketball games and Thurman was always so gracious about going and always so gracious and nice to everyone wherever we went," Cox said then. "His smile was infectious. I've got a smile on my face talking about him even though he's ill."
Harold Horton, the Razorbacks assistant coach who recruited Thurman, recruited many better than Thurman on the field but said he signed none better off it.
"We beat the University of Texas to get him," Horton said. "More than a player, I think of Thurman the man. Just a wonderful person."
Where it counts most, all deemed their old backup truly first team.
Sports on 12/07/2019