Tag: Hunter Yurachek

Arkansas’ Hunter Yurachek to meet with Congress

Hunter Yurachek, the Athletic Director of Arkansas, will be part of a team of SEC ADs and coaches who will advocate for federal legislation to oversee NIL.

The SEC finally came to a resolution for how the conference will schedule games for 2024 and beyond. 

Now leaders of the Conference have a new mission that involves gaining support from the leaders on Capitol Hill.

Hunter Yurachek, Arkansas athletics director, will be part of a team of SEC ADs and coaches who will advocate for federal legislation to oversee NIL. Currently, NIL is regulated at the state level.

During Wednesday’s meetings, Yurachek is set to be the sole representative for the Hogs. Yurachek is expected to engage with at least three Arkansas congressional delegation members but did not give names to who. Two former Razorback football players, Sen. John Boozman and Rep. Bruce Westerman, are part of the state delegation.

“We need some congressional help because what’s happened is states have formed their own state laws around Name, Image, and Likeness, so the NCAA has no hope now because state laws trump any type of NCAA bylaws,” Yurachek said Tuesday while speaking at the State of Athletics luncheon hosted by the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce.

“Young men and women are making decisions not to go to Major League Baseball or the WNBA or the NBA because they can make more money in college. Does that make any sense, that you can make more money by staying in college than you can by going and being a professional athlete? That’s where we have some issues in college athletics.”

Arkansas football leadership in support of both SEC schedule models

Sam Pittman, Hunter Yurachek fine with either SEC schedule model, laud single division as selling point for both

Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek and football coach Sam Pittman see the benefit of both eight or nine-game schedules for reasons beyond the simple increase in games played.

It’s about who is on the schedule.

If the conference decides to go with a nine-game schedule, the Razorback leadership sees relief to no longer be a part of the fiercely competitive SEC West as the conference transitions to a division-less model. The opportunity to distance themselves from powerhouse teams like Alabama and LSU could greatly benefit Arkansas.

“What’s favorable for the University of Arkansas is going from the SEC West to a single division where you have the opportunity to have a more balanced schedule and an opportunity,” Yurachek said on The Paul Finebaum Show on Tuesday.

“We’ve been in the SEC West, and (Pittman) has done a phenomenal job. But I think a more balanced schedule is what’s best for the University of Arkansas. And whether it’s eight or nine games, coach and I will figure out what it looks like after that.”

Yurachek applauded Pittman’s work in the division, acknowledging the Hogs have beat every team in the SEC West except for Alabama. Pittman agreed that a wide-open non-division SEC schedule is intriguing for the Hogs, but both are still in favor of the current model.

“Eight or nine, I think either way, they’ve got, they’ve got it kind of figured out, I think. … It’s not broke right now, I don’t know what they’re going to do but we’re taking teams to the national championship,” Pittman said.

For the fans, having every SEC team make it a trip to Fayetteville could be great, but most importantly, not having to deal with Alabama and LSU every season makes life easier and could keep stress levels down.

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Twitter: Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek calls out officials

Arkansas fans felt like they were not treated fairly by officials in Hawaii against Creighton.

Officials can swing a game one or the other. But they’re rarely the reason why a team wins or loses.

Arkansas basketball faithful felt on Tuesday the opposite. No. 10 Creighton beat No. 9 Arkansas in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational, 90-87, to book a spot in the title game.

The whole of the game felt like a March Madness game. Creighton led by 12 points in the first half, but the second half was almost always within two or three possessions.

The difference may have been Creighton’s 29 to 17 advantage in free-throw attempts. The Bluejays knocked down 21 to Arkansas’ 13.

Arkansas was within three points with less than a minute left, but Ricky Council’s 3-pointer clanged off the side of the rim and Creighton canned a free throw in response to hold on.

Council had 24 points while Anthony Black added 26 for Arkansas. Andrew Nembhard had a career-high 25 points for Creighton.

Loyalty Matters: Hunter Yurachek could have left Arkansas for Auburn

Hunter Yurachek is becoming one of the most popular athletic directors in the country.

Sam Pittman has spent a bulk of his three seasons as Arkansas football coach preaching. Not about religion or anything. No. Pittman proselytizes on the importance of family and sticking together.

College football coaches often have to walk into the homes of 16-year-olds and ensure mothers and fathers that he will take care of their child. With some, it’s lip service. But with Pittman, what he tells the moms and dads is what he continues to tell the players once they’ve arrived.

We stick together.

So when news broke earlier during Liberty game-week that Pittman’s boss Hunter Yurachek was up for the athletic director job at Auburn – not only up for it, but reportedly was offered it – and turned it down, Pittman knew he was working at the right place for the right guy.

“That’s a man that practices what he preaches,” Pittman said. “For him to do exactly what at times he asks us to do, it’s powerful. I’m so glad that he’s staying.”

Yurachek hired Pittman in late 2019, entrusting the never-before-head-man to lead Arkansas back into the right direction following the disaster that was the Chad Morris tenure. Had the hire not gone well, Yurachek might already be feeling the pressure to leave Fayetteville.

It hasn’t come to that. The opposite, in fact, as every major hire Yurachek has made with Arkansas athletics since arriving in 2017. Thus the Auburn pursuit.

In staying, Yurachek furthered the rapport with his coaches and the Arkansas fan base.

“Shows what kind of man he is,” Pittman said. “To say I’m excited that he’s going to stay here would be an understatement. I have a lot of respect for him and Jennifer. I mean what I’m sahying. I’m ecstatic he decided to stay.”

What’s the matter with Arkansas’ football program? “Nothing,” AD says

Hunter Yurachek has faith in Arkansas football. You should, too.

Hunter Yurachek was right, like he has been so many times before. Nothing is wrong with the Arkansas football program.

The Razorbacks athletic director was asked, directly, “What is wrong with our football program?” by a fan during Wednesday’s luncheon at the Little Rock Touchdown Club. Yurchek’s response was to the point.

Arkansas is 3-3 at the halfway point of the 2022 college football season. Not a record glimmering, but not one suggesting imminent doom, either. The team was ranked as high as No. 10 in the country at one point this season, then lost on a fluke fumble returned for a touchdown, lost to the No. 1 team the college football world has ever seen, then, yes, saw their doors blown off in a game that should have been closer.

But anyone who thinks Arkansas was supposed to be 5-1 at this point of the season hasn’t been paying attention. Brains too sapped by TikTok or memes or too busy living in a world in which society is too busy condemning the things it sees as unfit.

Heck, that’s why so many wrongful-headed people were calling for Kendal Briles’ and Barry Odom’s jobs after the Alabama and Mississippi State games. Abandon ship. Burn it down. All that jazz.

It’s madness. Yurchek handled the question a lot better than he could have. A lot better than he had every reason to, in fact. Of course, he’s a well-trained professional.

How easy some have forgotten the wobegone days of Chad Morris, the last season of Bret Bielema or the lone John L. Smith year. Those years, asking “What’s wrong with our football program?” was valid. This year? No way. No how.

Arkansas was never going to go 10-2 and compete for a national title. Not in 2022. Sam Pittman simply hasn’t had the time to build the roster.

That isn’t to say he will soon, either. But as old-school folks like to say, put on your big-boy pants and toughen up. There’s a whole ‘nother half of the schedule to play. And you can count on Yurchek and Pittman figuring it out.

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Sam Pittman understands Arkansas, and the football program is better for it

Sam Pittman is a true “Arkansas man”, which makes him the perfect man to lead the Razorbacks’ football program.

Every College Football program takes a risk when hiring a head coach. There are times when an experienced coach becomes fired after three seasons for not producing expected wins. There are also coaches that succeed at a particular program despite not having a lengthy resume.

Arkansas athletic director [autotag]Hunter Yurachek[/autotag] elected to bring [autotag]Sam Pittman[/autotag] over from Georgia, despite Pittman having zero head coaching experience. No one knew what caliber of success Pittman would bring to the Razorbacks football program, but one thing that no one can deny is Pittman’s love for the University of Arkansas.

Pittman joined SEC Network’s “Marty and McGee” live from campus this morning, where he was asked about his interest in becoming Arkansas’ next head football coach in 2020. Pittman, who served as associate head coach and offensive line coach for the Razorbacks from 2013-15, jokingly said that he needed some time to think about accepting the Arkansas job.

“When (Arkansas) called me that morning and said “do you want to be the head coach at Arkansas?” I’m like… “let me think about it for a second,” Pittman said. 

What helps a head coach succeed, especially in the college ranks, is being in tune with the expectations, as well as the personality of the university. Pittman grasps the concept, making him a true “Arkansas man.”

“A lot of people didn’t understand,” Pittman said. “I don’t think that I was the first guy that (Arkansas) offered the job. I know I wasn’t. But (the other candidates) don’t understand Arkansas. They would have took it if they did.”

Pittman begins year three of his tenure at Arkansas this afternoon, as the Razorbacks host Cincinnati at Reynolds Razorback Stadium at 2:30 p.m. CT.

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Joe Adams, Gary Blair highlight Arkansas Hall of Honor selections

Arkansas’ Hall of Honor Class of 2022 is loaded with Razorbacks legends.

Former Arkansas wide receiver and kick returner Joe Adams and former women’s basketball coach Gary Blair were among seven University of Arkansas athletics icons who were selected for the Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor Class of 2022 it was announced Thursday.

Adams, who was named an All-American in 2011, played wide receiver and punt returner for the Razorbacks from 2008-11. He ran back four punts for touchdowns in 2011 and his 16.9 yards-per-return average was second in the country.

Blair coached Arkansas to five NCAA Tournaments appearances in his 10 seasons from 1993-2003. The Razorbacks made the Final Four in 1998 under Blair’s guidance when they were a No. 9 seed, which remains the lowest-seeded team to make it that far.

“We look forward to celebrating the tremendous accomplishments of these outstanding Razorbacks as part of the UA Sports Hall of Honor,” athletic director Hunter Yurachek said. “This year’s class includes NCAA and conference champions, a hall of fame coach and an administrator who helped form the foundation for varsity women’s sports at the University of Arkansas. These men and women reflect the very best our program has to offer.”

Other inductees include former pitcher Bill Bakewell (baseball), Ruth Cohoon (first women’s athletics director), high-jumper Ray Doakes (track and field), gymnast Katherine Grable, swingman Ron Huery (basketball), catcher Andy Skeels (baseball) and defensive lineman Dale White (football).

The induction ceremony will be held Friday, September 16, the night before Arkansas football hosts Missouri State at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Remember the post-Garth grass replacement? Now not happening

Donald W. Reynolds Stadium won’t get a field replacement after all.

This is why we can’t have new things.

OK, well, except in this case, it’s kind of a good thing.

Back, the Arkansas athletic department released word that Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium was going to have its grass replaced following Garth Brooks’ concert there later in the month.

Turns out, no such thing will happen. The thinking was the field would be badly damaged because of the foot-traffic for the stadium show. Plastic was placed on top of the grass at the time for the more 8,000 attendees who were on the field.

Arkansas’ practice turf field is still being replaced and it began on the weekend. It’s likely to be finished in mid-July.

The Razorbacks open the season September 3 against Cincinnati.

Eric Musselman shares positive thoughts on Dave Van Horn

Head Coach Eric Musselman has been spotted in Omaha cheering on Arkansas Baseball. On Monday, he shared his thoughts on Dave Van Horn with SiriusXM’s SEC Radio

Arkansas baseball has received tons of fan support as they compete in the College World Series for the 11th time in history. The leader of the program for seven of those trips has been head coach [autotag]Dave Van Horn[/autotag].

Not only have Razorback fans trekked to Omaha to cheer on the Razorbacks, but so have leaders of other sports. Athletic Director [autotag]Hunter Yurachek[/autotag], head football coach [autotag]Sam Pittman[/autotag], and head men’s basketball coach [autotag]Eric Musselman[/autotag] were all spotted in the stands of Arkansas’ game with Ole Miss on Monday night.

Prior to the game against the Rebels, head coach Eric Musselman joined SEC Radio on Sirius XM to discuss a handful of topics, including the success of all athletic programs at the University of Arkansas. Since Razorbacks Baseball is competing in the College World Series, baseball and head coach Dave Van Horn were brought up as well.

During the interview, Musselman described the success that Van Horn has had at Arkansas, even saying that he is the greatest of all time.

“There’s just a lot of really, really cool things that’s happened with our athletic department. There is pressure with the baseball team. There’s pressure with all of the sports. I mean, you look at what the men’s and women’s track team does. But, certainly, Dave Van Horn is the G.O.A.T. To see what he’s done. To have one good year, anybody can do that. But when you sustain success year after year after year like Coach Van Horn has done, he truly is a legend in the coaching profession.” 

The Razorbacks look to extend their stay at the College World Series on Tuesday, but will need to take care of Auburn to do so. First pitch between the Razorbacks and Tigers is set for 6 p.m. CDT.

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Arkansas athletic department loses to lieutenant, Yurachek’s right-hand man

Jon Fagg is most publicly known as being part of the committee that helped bring Sam Pittman back to Arkansas.

Jon Fagg had been with the Arkansas athletic department since 2008. Since that time, he helped oversee a pair of football turnarounds and watched several other Hogs sports grow into perennial powerhouses.

No more, as he was named Texas-Arlington athletic director earlier this week.

Fagg was the deputy athletic director academics, integrity and student-athlete development at Arkansas. Before his time in Fayetteville, Fagg worked at North Carolina, overseeing basketball and football.

“Can’t begin to thank [the Razorbacks and the UA] enough for the incredible honor to serve the department, university, NWA & the GREAT state of Arkansas!” Fagg wrote on Twitter. “My family & I will be forever grateful for the opportunity given to be a part of this incredible thing called Razorback Nation!”

The native Hawaiian is most publicly known for being on the three-person search committee that helped bring former Arkansas assistant coach Sam Pittman back to the Razorbacks as head coach in late 2019.

Fagg also worked for the Big South Conference, Fresno State, Arizona, Davidson and Mars Hill College.