From the Auburn board (staff member) posted 30 minutes ago.. basically says exactly what I posted in the Gus/Auburn mediation thread this morning.. with a little more info.
https://arkansas.forums.rivals.com/threads/gus-mediation-talks-have-started-on-the-plains.102103/
From what I can gather, the powers that be at Arkansas want to give the new AD, Hunter Yurachek, the flexibility to make this own hire. In
other words, they don’t want to force Malzahn or anyone else down his throat.
Apparently, Yurachek has not received the interest he’d hoped for. I’m told he’d prefer to have a sitting head coach, but most hot coaches are not going to Arkansas right now. There are going to be several other jobs that are going to come open that are more attractive.
The Arkansas job is at rock bottom. It’s not a good spot right now. There’s a dearth of talent and it’s probably the fifth best job in the SEC West.
That could lead Yurachek to decide that Malzahn is the best hire he can make. Or it may not. As of now, I’m told Yurachek is still vetting candidates and conducting interviews. Malzahn is on his list, but nobody seems to know exactly where.
There are a number of powerful boosters who want Malzahn to come home to Arkansas. There’s also a large contingent who feel burned from two
years ago when Malzahn used the Razorbacks to get a huge payday at Auburn.
The money people at Arkansas are split. Some want Malzahn. Others don’t. While most want to give Yurachek the power to make his own hire, big money boosters aren’t going to let him hire just anyone. Malzahn could end up being forced on him unless he can land a big fish.
From the Auburn side, many feel that Malzahn’s tenure has run its course. What’s he going to do, hire another offensive coordinator and not let him do his job?
There’s no real fix. Most of Malzahn’s support has evaporated.
There are rumors of discussions going on between Arkansas and Auburn in case Yurachek decides he wants Malzahn - and Malzahn decides he wants to go.
From Malzahn’s side, we’re told he really doesn’t want to leave Auburn, but understands that he’s not on solid footing.
There’s no offset in Malzahn’s massive contract, which means he could get fired at Auburn and not have his next job offset Auburn’s financial burden. If he’s fired, he can double dip.
One scenario is he could wait Auburn out and see if they fire him. If he is let go, it’s going to be harder for Arkansas to hire him because he’ll be viewed as damaged goods - and the timelines may not line up. Arkansas wants a coach in place as soon as possible.
Another is that he could go to Arkansas and get a fresh start with Auburn paying part of the buyout. A mutual parting of the ways, if you will.
Malzahn could wait and see if Auburn fires him and go chase a job other than Arkansas. There are going to be a lot of them open this year.
Or he could be back at Auburn in 2020 with a very short leash (think Les Miles or Bill Curry).
https://arkansas.forums.rivals.com/threads/gus-mediation-talks-have-started-on-the-plains.102103/
From what I can gather, the powers that be at Arkansas want to give the new AD, Hunter Yurachek, the flexibility to make this own hire. In
other words, they don’t want to force Malzahn or anyone else down his throat.
Apparently, Yurachek has not received the interest he’d hoped for. I’m told he’d prefer to have a sitting head coach, but most hot coaches are not going to Arkansas right now. There are going to be several other jobs that are going to come open that are more attractive.
The Arkansas job is at rock bottom. It’s not a good spot right now. There’s a dearth of talent and it’s probably the fifth best job in the SEC West.
That could lead Yurachek to decide that Malzahn is the best hire he can make. Or it may not. As of now, I’m told Yurachek is still vetting candidates and conducting interviews. Malzahn is on his list, but nobody seems to know exactly where.
There are a number of powerful boosters who want Malzahn to come home to Arkansas. There’s also a large contingent who feel burned from two
years ago when Malzahn used the Razorbacks to get a huge payday at Auburn.
The money people at Arkansas are split. Some want Malzahn. Others don’t. While most want to give Yurachek the power to make his own hire, big money boosters aren’t going to let him hire just anyone. Malzahn could end up being forced on him unless he can land a big fish.
From the Auburn side, many feel that Malzahn’s tenure has run its course. What’s he going to do, hire another offensive coordinator and not let him do his job?
There’s no real fix. Most of Malzahn’s support has evaporated.
There are rumors of discussions going on between Arkansas and Auburn in case Yurachek decides he wants Malzahn - and Malzahn decides he wants to go.
From Malzahn’s side, we’re told he really doesn’t want to leave Auburn, but understands that he’s not on solid footing.
There’s no offset in Malzahn’s massive contract, which means he could get fired at Auburn and not have his next job offset Auburn’s financial burden. If he’s fired, he can double dip.
One scenario is he could wait Auburn out and see if they fire him. If he is let go, it’s going to be harder for Arkansas to hire him because he’ll be viewed as damaged goods - and the timelines may not line up. Arkansas wants a coach in place as soon as possible.
Another is that he could go to Arkansas and get a fresh start with Auburn paying part of the buyout. A mutual parting of the ways, if you will.
Malzahn could wait and see if Auburn fires him and go chase a job other than Arkansas. There are going to be a lot of them open this year.
Or he could be back at Auburn in 2020 with a very short leash (think Les Miles or Bill Curry).
