I'd tell them to pack their bags!!!!!!!!!

They are all freshmen. Arkansas employed an offense this season that played to their strength and that's running the football. They had the best running back in college football; what should they do, let Mitchy throw it around forty times per game?

 

I thought you could always say that at least college coaches didn't have to hear parents fussing to them. Especially parents of freshmen. Apparently that can't be said now, either. If I were Houston Nutt, I'd think long and hard about sending them packing.

 

I agree, the college coaches have every right and every expectation to play to their strengths and run the offense they think will help them win. Obviously, Arkansas has done this the past year and it was good for them.

 

The thing is, that is basically what one of the parents also said in the article, but nobody is seeing that.

 

They are saying that the problem, according to them, was the Arkansas staff told them something totally different when trying to get their sons to sign. Those kids signed under the pretense that Arkansas would be running the same offensive scheme they were used to and it turned out to be something totally different. Somewhere there was a misrepresentation or a misunderstanding and I think they had a right to ask the questions.

 

A lot of you guys are seeing this as whiney, trouble causing, meddling parents, and maybe it is. But that isn't what I got from the article.

I agree, the college coaches have every right and every expectation to play to their strengths and run the offense they think will help them win. Obviously, Arkansas has done this the past year and it was good for them.

 

The thing is, that is basically what one of the parents also said in the article, but nobody is seeing that.

 

They are saying that the problem, according to them, was the Arkansas staff told them something totally different when trying to get their sons to sign. Those kids signed under the pretense that Arkansas would be running the same offensive scheme they were used to and it turned out to be something totally different. Somewhere there was a misrepresentation or a misunderstanding and I think they had a right to ask the questions.

 

A lot of you guys are seeing this as whiney, trouble causing, meddling parents, and maybe it is. But that isn't what I got from the article.

With statements like these....“Our boys are used to catching 60 passes a year,” Rick Cleveland said. “They want to go to a college where they get the same opportunity. Whether they’re good enough to do that or not is a whole different question. They have to earn that.

 

“They are team players... but they’re saying, ‘Hey, I don’t know if I’ll be happy being in this offense, catching 10 balls a year or 15 and blocking 90 percent of the time.”

 

Tells me, its about their limelight and not the overall success of the program. I watched Arkansas early on in the season, middle and playing for a SEC championship game, using McFadden as a key role made defensive coaches a tough task, to formulate a way to stop them.

 

These players may have been told one thing and it another means is successful, works better or is more difficult to defend, the coaching staff owes the "Team" the opportunity to achieve wins....not what Freshmen concerns are. It all about the glory, of those players pure and simple.

Why would they have signed if they didn't like the offense to begin with? They should go somewhere where they know they will like the system.

With statements like these....“Our boys are used to catching 60 passes a year,” Rick Cleveland said. “They want to go to a college where they get the same opportunity. Whether they’re good enough to do that or not is a whole different question. They have to earn that.

 

“They are team players... but they’re saying, ‘Hey, I don’t know if I’ll be happy being in this offense, catching 10 balls a year or 15 and blocking 90 percent of the time.”

 

Tells me, its about their limelight and not the overall success of the program. I watched Arkansas early on in the season, middle and playing for a SEC championship game, using McFadden as a key role made defensive coaches a tough task, to formulate a way to stop them.

 

These players may have been told one thing and it another means is successful, works better or is more difficult to defend, the coaching staff owes the "Team" the opportunity to achieve wins....not what Freshmen concerns are. It all about the glory, of those players pure and simple.

 

I'm not disagreeing with you whatsoever. I don't think there is any confusion that these parents (not necessarily the players) are putting individual concerns ahead of team concerns. That is a given.

I'm not disagreeing with you whatsoever. I don't think there is any confusion that these parents (not necessarily the players) are putting individual concerns ahead of team concerns. That is a given.

....:thumb:

The UA coaching staff is trying to win games. They have to put the best players at the right positions. None of the three are as good as McFadden or Jones right now. That is why The Hogs are so run oriented. Sometimes, coaches make adjustments during the season.

The UA coaching staff is trying to win games. They have to put the best players at the right positions. None of the three are as good as McFadden or Jones right now. That is why The Hogs are so run oriented. Sometimes, coaches make adjustments during the season.

....:thumb: I wonder how many of these Arkansas parents, would be willing to trade places with Tebow of Florida, for a chance to play for a National Title.....:sssh:

While its unfortunate it got to the papers, I don't think its a case of making any demands. As Watusi said, I understand it. If you went there because of being told the spread offense would be employed and then it isn't (and may never be), you have every right to wonder if this is the right place for you. I didn't read any quotes from the parents where they were making demands. I read it as simply wanting to know if what they were either directly told or what was implied with the hiring of the OC was going to come to fruition. If not, they'll make whatever decision they think is best for their child's football future.

 

To say that they should be happy because they team is winning is a bit naive IMO. If winning was the only thing, they would have all gone somewhere else like USC, Texas, Florida, etc. Instead, they went where they THOUGHT their skills would best be utilized. If they feel they were duped, I have no problem with them moving on. I also have no problem with them asking about the direction of the program.

 

I will say, though, that from past articles, Mustain's mom seems like a whack job.

While its unfortunate it got to the papers, I don't think its a case of making any demands. As Watusi said, I understand it. If you went there because of being told the spread offense would be employed and then it isn't (and may never be), you have every right to wonder if this is the right place for you. I didn't read any quotes from the parents where they were making demands. I read it as simply wanting to know if what they were either directly told or what was implied with the hiring of the OC was going to come to fruition. If not, they'll make whatever decision they think is best for their child's football future.

 

To say that they should be happy because they team is winning is a bit naive IMO. If winning was the only thing, they would have all gone somewhere else like USC, Texas, Florida, etc. Instead, they went where they THOUGHT their skills would best be utilized. If they feel they were duped, I have no problem with them moving on. I also have no problem with them asking about the direction of the program.

 

I will say, though, that from past articles, Mustain's mom seems like a whack job.

These are young men, not kids and parents should let their college student-athletes discuss this with the coaching staff.

 

Like I said before, every player wants to play, have glory and accolades, but the program at any college....is bigger than the players, so I disagree strongly, winning is more important than the individual feelings of parents. Players can come and go, but the program will endure. College Football and athletics is a business, the business of revenue generating for the other non-revenue programs. The coaching staff, prepares to win games and not change diapers, or listen to mommies/daddies.

 

Recruiters often tell students, things they need to hear. If a coach has to only run the offense or defense, in one scheme....just to keep players happy, then those coaches won't have much longevity. If they're not happy, move on and see whom will let them have their way.

I dont see this as whining and bickering by the parents like STRIKE3 is making it out to be. More of a "Why was i lied too?" kind of thing. I see no harm in this whatsoever...Anybody think Mustain wants to come throw the ball at UK??

I dont see this as whining and bickering by the parents like STRIKE3 is making it out to be. More of a "Why was i lied too?" kind of thing. I see no harm in this whatsoever...Anybody think Mustain wants to come throw the ball at UK??

Have I used either of these two words, you've credited me with? I again, copied, comments from the parents....“They are team players... but they’re saying, ‘Hey, I don’t know if I’ll be happy being in this offense, catching 10 balls a year or 15 and blocking 90 percent of the time.”

 

That tells me, if they catch 10-15 balls they may not be happy. This on a college team, which has had an outstanding year. I certainly hope high school athletes and parents, don't think that college coaches don't have the right to change, modify or develop different coaching schemes on offense or defense, that help their team win....When players or parents get to decide, what kind of system to run, then they have an argument. They are Freshman for crying out loud, be glad you're playing, not red-shirting and Arkansas is having success, which will lead to more recruits, better depth and more national exposure, which will ultimately lead some of these players to the NFL, which sounds like that's what the parent care about most....getting their kids stats, so they will get noticed.

I don't see this as parents trying to dictate what the coach does as much as trying to decide if their kids are in the system that suits their talents the best. (and what is wrong with that?)

 

Granted it is a one sided article that probably doesn't belong in the papers, but it didn't scream to me that the parents were making any demands, trying to change anything or throwing any threats around. They were asking questions and evaluating their roles in a cordial manner, trying to get some answers to their questions.

 

Of course the program is bigger than any individual and if any individual wants to leave, I'm sure the UofA will wish them a fond farewell and move on. That is the way it goes. Nobody is advocating that the players, any players, should dictate team decisions, least of all offensive and defensive game strategy or play schemes. That would be crazy. However it is my opinion that it is fair game for any player draw on his past experiences and take stock of his situation/role on a team and look at his options. If the grass looks greener, and if that view is based on something tangible (like changes in the offensive scheme that devaluates that players contributions or chances of play), then I say it is their right to consider a change of pasture.

These are young men, not kids and parents should let their college student-athletes discuss this with the coaching staff.

 

Agreed that it would have been best handled without the parents. However, it does not change the motive.

 

Like I said before, every player wants to play, have glory and accolades, but the program at any college....is bigger than the players, so I disagree strongly, winning is more important than the individual feelings of parents.

 

Parents and student-athlete are interchangable in this debate. Kids want to play in a style that fits them. If they have aspirations of playing in the NFL , however misguided those aspirations may be, playing on a winning team that does not fit their style of play gets them nowhere.

Agreed that it would have been best handled without the parents. However, it does not change the motive.

 

Parents and student-athlete are interchangeable in this debate. Kids want to play in a style that fits them. If they have aspirations of playing in the NFL , however misguided those aspirations may be, playing on a winning team that does not fit their style of play gets them nowhere.

Excellent points and I've always liked the team concept, with the thought that individual play can be input into any scheme.

 

The overriding factor to me is, they are Freshman and not too many, step into a program and have a huge impact, while competing at an extremely high level, like the SEC. Perhaps next year, a balanced offensive scheme featuring McFadden, Mustain and crew, will happen.....thus, everyone is content.