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Dana Altman-Creighton

Like I said, I would go for a head coach from a mid-major. Congrats.

Nacho, I have to give you the win on this one. I really thought Broyles would find a little more "high impact" person. The Razorback Board is furious, but the guy does have some decent credentials. The question now is whether or not the high powered returnees that Heath recruited will stay or transfer. If they stay, Altman will have a good base from which to build. If they go, he may be in trouble right from the start.

I don't know anything about him but the Creighton program is well regarded. If I were an Arkansas signee I would stay.

Nacho wrote:I don't know anything about him but the Creighton program is well regarded. If I were an Arkansas signee I would stay.

If you were an Arkansas signee they would have more than a coaching problem.

Wouldn't Arkansas have to give those with signed letters permission to revoke their acceptance? Those who are verbals can of course, leave. I'm glad Calipiri turned them down. By keeping the Memphis program strong, it helps raise the bar for other programs to get better.

EastStang wrote:Wouldn't Arkansas have to give those with signed letters permission to revoke their acceptance? Those who are verbals can of course, leave. I'm glad Calipiri turned them down. By keeping the Memphis program strong, it helps raise the bar for other programs to get better.

These are not newbies we are talking about. The SEC Freshman player of the Year (Beverley) has openly stated he would "evaluate" the new coach and determine whether or not he would transfer and sit out a year. Also, Sonny Weems, highly touted player has said he may transfer. Arkansas is speculated to be favored to win the SEC West with thier current team all returning but that could change drastically if some of the key kids leave. Yes they would need releases from what I know. One kid (name I do not recall) is already looking because he got a release from Heath before Heath was fired.

How well does Doherty know Heath?

abezontar wrote:How well does Doherty know Heath?

Heath as I understand it is going to South Florida. If Beverley leaves, he will follow Heath.

Arkansas names Dana Altman coach
By NOAH TRISTER
AP SPORTS WRITER

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Dana Altman was hired as Arkansas' coach on Monday, ending the Razorbacks' weeklong search to replace Stan Heath.

Altman was previously the coach at Creighton. He went 260-141 in 13 seasons there. The Bluejays went 22-11 this season for their ninth straight 20-win season, a Missouri Valley Conference record.

Altman is 343-208 in 18 years at the Division I level. He coached at Marshall and Kansas State before going to Creighton. The 48-year-old Altman was to be introduced at a news conference at Arkansas' Bud Walton Arena, where crowds gradually dwindled during Heath's five-year run.

Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles fired Heath on March 26. The Razorbacks made the NCAA tournament in 2006 and 2007, but lost in the first round both years.

Heath was hired after taking Kent State to the round of eight in the NCAA tournament in 2002, but that was his first season as a head coach. This time, Arkansas was eyeing Texas A&M coach Billy Gillispie - then the Razorbacks received permission to talk to Memphis coach John Calipari.

Instead, the Razorbacks ended up with another coach from a mid-major conference, although the Missouri Valley has done a lot to shed that label in recent years. Altman might not be the big name many Arkansas fans wanted, but his credentials are solid. Creighton has been to the NCAA tournament seven times in the last nine seasons and won a school-record 29 games in 2002-03.

Creighton loses Altman just a few days after assistant Kevin McKenna left to take over the Indiana State program. The Bluejays lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Nevada, 77-71 in overtime.

Arkansas has fallen from the heights it enjoyed under Nolan Richardson during the mid-1990s. The Razorbacks have not won an NCAA tournament game since 1999. Broyles fired Richardson in 2002 believing the coach had lost confidence in the program.

Former Razorbacks coach Eddie Sutton also came to Arkansas from Creighton.

Heath agreed Monday to a five-year contract to take over South Florida's struggling program.

If any athlete decides to tranfer, he will have to sit out a year just as normal. The athlete signs with the school not the coach. Only if the school is put on probation can he leave without losing a year of sitting out.
Therefore, probably all will stay. This coach has a good record and is known to be an outstanding teacher especially on defense.

Just what every player wants to learn - defense. Except for the occasional monster block, defense doesn't get you on ESPN highlights.

EastStang wrote:Just what every player wants to learn - defense. Except for the occasional monster block, defense doesn't get you on ESPN highlights.

which is why i don't watch the nbs

mrydel wrote:

EastStang wrote:Wouldn't Arkansas have to give those with signed letters permission to revoke their acceptance? Those who are verbals can of course, leave. I'm glad Calipiri turned them down. By keeping the Memphis program strong, it helps raise the bar for other programs to get better.

These are not newbies we are talking about. The SEC Freshman player of the Year (Beverley) has openly stated he would "evaluate" the new coach and determine whether or not he would transfer and sit out a year. Also, Sonny Weems, highly touted player has said he may transfer. Arkansas is speculated to be favored to win the SEC West with thier current team all returning but that could change drastically if some of the key kids leave. Yes they would need releases from what I know. One kid (name I do not recall) is already looking because he got a release from Heath before Heath was fired.

Beverley staying a Razorback
SEC newcomer of the year will return under Altman

Posted: Monday April 2, 2007 9:29PM; Updated: Monday April 2, 2007 9:29PM
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- Dana Altman has already landed his first recruit at Arkansas.

This one already plays for the Razorbacks.

Freshman Patrick Beverley, this season's Southeastern Conference newcomer of the year, announced Monday he's staying at Arkansas. Beverley, a Chicago product, said he made the decision after talking with Altman, who was hired as the Razorbacks' new coach earlier in the day.

"Is Patrick Beverley staying? The answer to that is yes," Beverley said.

Beverley had been wavering since Arkansas fired coach Stan Heath on March 26. In fact, Beverley admitted that, before he talked to Altman, he was leaning 60 percent toward leaving.

After Altman's introductory news conference, Beverley seemed noncommittal when asked about his future.

"I really can't explain that or give any answer to that right now," Beverley said. "My mother is here, so we're going to sit down and talk to him. ... I would like the coach to be a father figure to me, because I really didn't have that growing up. That's a big deal for me."

After meeting with Altman, Beverley was convinced.

"I had a talk with him," Beverley said. "He's just a great guy -- a genuine guy."

Beverley, a guard, averaged 13.9 points this season and shot 39 percent from 3-point range.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved