UNCUT: Entire Interview with Jeff Long and Matt Turner
By: Matt Turner / KNWA Nightly News Anchor
Updated: June 30, 2012
(Click on the attached video to watch the entire uncut interview between UA Athletic Director Jeff Long and KNWA's Matt Turner)
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PART 2 OF THE UNCUT INTERVIEW.
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The following is a transcript Matt Turner's conversation with Jeff Long on June 7, 2012:
MATT TURNER-
Jeff, you just got back from the SEC meetings in Destin, Florida. Did you have any time, first of all, to relax and have a good time on the beach?
JEFF LONG-
I did. I went early. I went early Saturday, Sunday...It was really crowded with the weekend but Saturday, Sunday and Monday I had with my family and then Tuesday through Friday was business.
MATT-
And what got accomplished? Kind of take me through a typical SEC meeting for you?
JEFF-
Well, a lot of information sharing and a lot of year-end information that the conference office brings us.
You know our revenue distribution and how our television partners have performed, how our radio partners have performed, how the marketing partnerships have performed. All of those kind of things.
We do an evaluation and then we kind of set our goals and parameters for what we'd like to see in the future in the year ahead. So, a lot of that information happening.
We have a lot of people coming in and reporting to us. The National Football Foundation and each one of the television partners comes in -- puts on a presentation -- updates us on their perspective of how those partnerships have worked. So a lot of information, a lot of meetings, gathering information and then it turns to the business of the conference. Which it may be the legislation. For instance, the legislation that we got passed that allows us now to have unofficial visits in Little Rock for both games and then if we play a neutral site game like we have in Dallas, it allows us to host unofficial visits.
So it's that kind of information. We share information on rules compliance as well. How our institutions have done in the compliance standpoint and such. So a lot of year-end wrap up and planning for the future.
MATT-
Anything big? You talked about, obviously it's huge to host recruits at War Memorial and Cowboys Stadium, but anything other than that? Anything big that's going to be noticeable that will affect the athletic department right away?
JEFF-
Well, we've agreed to the 611 football schedule for the time being. You know, six games in the west and then one permanent crossover which is Missouri for us -- which is a change from South Carolina. And then the one rotating school through the rest of the east that will rotate for us.
So those are the big things. The basketball schedule has come out. Who we're going to play twice, who we're going to play once, who's going to be a permanent. Again, Missouri will be our permanent partner on that side of the division. So some of those things are the things that our fans will see the most impact from.
MATT-
You were the new guy not long ago at the SEC meetings but you've now been here for a while. Talk about your relationship with some of the other athletic directors or the coaches at different schools. Is there sort of a bond that you guys have when you all get together in one place and you get to talk? Or is it kind of weird where you're still kinda like, "That's the enemy over there."?
JEFF-
You know, I've worked Matt in five of the BCS automatic qualifying conferences. I can honestly say there's a "esprit de corps", a working relationship in the SEC that is very different and very positive than I've seen in those other conferences.
So I think there's a lot of time for us to openly share our viewpoints. Certainly, we each have now 14 different perspectives but I've been really impressed with the way people share their thoughts. Obviously, I have my ideas, what's in the best interest in Arkansas and I'm able to share those. And you know what, I know that that may be different than what Texas A&M or South Carolina or Florida might have.
But we can share that. We can honestly share that and know that we have our differences. Know there may be things that just we're never going to agree upon but I think there is a feeling there that we are in it for the best interest for the SEC overall and after we share our perspectives, we're able to get to the point that it really is in the best interests of all of us in the SEC.
MATT-
Tell me about the two brand new teams in the SEC. In your opinion, just maybe as a Razorback fan -- take the athletic director hat off -- Missouri, Texas A&M....what do you think that means to the SEC?
JEFF-
Well, I think from Arkansas' standpoint, two things. Texas A&M is a renewal of a rivalry that we already renewed through our non-conference games so to me that's a big plus for us. It allows the Southeastern Conference brand to be spread even deeper into Texas. That only helps Arkansas.
You know, I know some people think, "Well, you know now Texas A&M's going to get the recruits that Arkansas used to get". It's really not the case. When you look at the number of division one prospects that come out of the state of Texas.....one -- Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, they can't take them all.
There are quality athletes there. SEC being in there is only going to help Arkansas. So we're excited about that, continuing that rivalry, and then Missouri gives us a different thing. It gives us a chance to develop new rivalries with a border state which now becomes our closest SEC partner. So I think over time that will grow. So there's kind of two, from our standpoint, kind of two different kinds of new members. Both exciting to us. Both, I think will help the University of Arkansas as we compete in the SEC.
MATT-
You know, I'm wondering something. You talk about -- you have conversations with different coaches, athletic directors and I know you have a lot of relationships.
Everybody in the country right now knows that you're kind of looking for maybe a new head coach. Do you get phone calls everyday? Do you get people approaching you...through third parties? Do people say, "You may want to look at so and so"? Does that happen quite a bit now?
JEFF-
Not everyday, but yes it happens quite a bit. But certainly not everyday.
I think it was interesting down at the SEC meetings that if I had a conversation with a coach that I've had a relationship with, there were people kind of looking and noticing that -- ya know -- Les Miles and I have known each other since 1987 when I worked with him. So when we have a conversation, you know, people just kind of look. What are Jeff and Les talking about?
But it's an interesting time for us. It gives me a great deal of time to do a lot of research on prospective coaches. And I said the other day, that's kind of good and bad because you really have almost too much time to delve into backgrounds and do research. But overall I think it's good and we do have a great amount of time to really look in and develop the kind of profile we want for the next coach and who fits that profile.
MATT-
Les Miles, you said you're a good friend to him. What kind of guy is he? Is he really the grass eating, kind of crazy madhatter that they portray on TV?
JEFF-
Les is an unusual guy! He's a character! Again, I coached with him in 1987. It was a long time ago but you know he has a passion for the game and I think you can see that in him.
You know, he has a method to his madness and sometimes it is madness but you know Les is a good person, a good guy. I know his wife Kathy, I know their children -- so they're friends in that regard. I've certainly respected what he did as a coach at Oklahoma State and now at LSU.
MATT-
Alright, well moving on....you've become a Twitter superstar and I remember when you first started and you had maybe, you know, a couple of hundred followers and it jumped up to a thousand. Now you're....I mean, goodness gracious -- it's growing and growing.
Tell me about Twitter. Is that kind of like a hobby, a way for you to relax and unwind? It seems like you have a lot of fun with it.
JEFF-
Well, first of all Matt -- I think Twitter is a social media tool that we have to use and I think that those who haven't caught onto it yet are behind the times. I think it is "of the now". You need to be in it now.
You know, I was pleased to see Coach Smith take it on. You know, it's not for everybody. We certainly don't demand each coach do it. You've got to have a comfort level with it. You have to have an idea of how you're going to use it.
Me personally -- I don't use it to break news. I use it to comment on our stories, other stories and I use it for fun. It is stress relief for me to get on there in the evenings when my children went to bed, my wife's gone to bed and now I can kind of unwind and I use it to have fun with the fans. But I do use it to get feedback and there's a lot of valuable feedback. Some -- not so valuable feedback I get!
But there's valuable feedback that I get about our program. What our fanbase is thinking and believe me, if you're not in touch with social media today, I think you're behind the scenes.
So, it's been a valuable tool. I think we'll continue to look for ways that we can utilize that tool to reach our fanbase. You know, I like getting feedback and I think that if you sit up here in this office that's overlooking the stadium and not know what our fans are thinking, you're not able to do your job the most effectively. So, you know what -- I appreciate the feedback and I like having fun on there. I hope the fans on Twitter know that sometimes I'm joking around and I'm having a little fun and I'm unwinding!
MATT-
Yeah, I think they do! And you can probably guess too what the main thing is, the number one thing you can mention or retweet and it gets everybody's attention and gets everybody going. It has something to do with uniforms.
JEFF-
Absolutely!
All you've got to do is just throw out some idea that we have a black uniform!
MATT-
Exactly!
JEFF-
And it lights up!
MATT-
Exactly!
And now there are pictures. Where did these pictures come from? Have you seen them?
JEFF-
I've seen various pictures....
MATT-
Of a black Razorback uniform? Is that a possibility for next season? This coming season?
JEFF-
Well, we've said....we plan to introduce our new uniforms. But certainly, you know -- the red and white, the cardinal and the white in our program is not going away. That's the predominant colors.
I think that when our fans see the uniforms, they'll see that we've paid respects to the tradition and who we are and what we are. But at the same time, you know, we have tried to.....we look around and see what's going in intercollegiate athletics and see what's happening and I think we've tried to touch that element of our fan support and what our young people want and are excited about and we've also, you know, listened to our football student-athletes.
They're an important part of who we are and we listened to them and what they are looking for. Again, we've taken all those things and I think you'll see a uniform that really tries to really brand and show who we are at the University of Arkansas.
MATT-
And again, this is not just something that -- you and I have talked about this before -- it's not just something you just say, "We're going to put a black jersey on our players for no reason whatsoever".
And a lot of the older fans, you know my grandparents or whatever, they may not understand completely but this actually -- and it's hard to believe -- this actually fires up a team for some reason. I don't know why but if you give them a black jersey and so that's kind of the incentive right?
JEFF-
Well, yeah. I think it's something different. People want something different. I think the student-athlete of today, you know they're interested in style and they're into how they look and that's part of the psychology of competing.
And you know, we've had an evolution in uniforms here. Again, some people tend to only focus on their era when they were here in school but I think we'll do a good job of showing how our uniforms have evolved. But yeah, I think today you've got to pay attention to your student-athletes. If they look good, feel good -- you know that's going to help their competitive performance.
MATT-
Alright, we've had some fun and I know you don't want to talk much about it but I do need to ask you about the difficult time that really all Razorback fans had recently. You especially because you're the boss.
Take me back to when Bobby told you and kind of came clean and just the emotions and just the feelings and what was going through your head at that time.
JEFF-
Well again, without going too much into that, you know -- it's disappointment. And you know, we all know that the football position -- the head coach at the University of Arkansas is a highly-held and highly-regarded position on this campus, in this state. So you know, the disappointment in how we in some respects let down our passionate fanbase.
So those are the things and then there's all the human feelings. You know for Bobby and his family, the assistant coaches for our student-athletes, you know, for all the people who have worked so hard.
We have a great staff here. Coaches, people behind the scenes that really work for this university because they really love the Razorbacks just like our fans do. So all of those human things were in effect there, were in play there as you might imagine. And you know, it was a difficult time and we wanted though to make sure that we didn't let one action define who we are and what we stand for and what we're going to be, continue to be here.
So I think it was important that we got out and took the action that we did and sent the message that we did because this program is bigger than any one individual and it's something that's very special and something very important. And we understand we have a tremendous responsibility. The head football coach has a tremendous responsibility to much much more than himself and his team and this department, the university. It's the entire state here.
MATT-
Was there a little bit of a...I'm guessing you were in shock maybe or in mourning or a grieving period. I know there was no death but did it take a little while to get over it and say, ok now I'm ready to move on?
JEFF-
Yeah, to some degree. But you know you had to deal with those emotions, at my level as a leader, pretty quickly. I mean you had them, you had to deal with them and now you had to focus on what's in the best interest of this program. And what are we going to do to make sure this doesn't define us? That's what we told our people. You know, this doesn't tell us who we are.
We know who we are and we've got to make sure that we project to our fans that we know who we are and that we are bigger than this and that we were going to move on and our program is going to move on.
We're going to be stronger because of what we've come through and I think my staff and I, and the university chancellor, all of us have done a good job of putting that foot forward and moving on as quickly as possible and setting our sights and setting our sights on our goal.
MATT-
Have you spoken to Bobby since?
JEFF-
I have not. I have not.
MATT-
Do you think you ever will? Do you think you'll reach out to him? Would you answer the phone if he called you?
JEFF-
Yeah, I think the ball's in his court from my point of view and I'm sure he's dealing with lots of emotional things and again, the most important thing is for him to focus on his family and get his life situated. And I get all that.
You know, I think sometime down the road, you know I'm sure we'll run into each other in this profession and I'm sure I'll have words with him. And you know, I don't wish him any ill will. I wish him the best as he continues on.
MATT-
Alright. So with that being said, it's time for the upcoming football season.
John L. Smith, you've got the entire coaching staff in tact, a lot of good players....in your opinion -- be honest now -- in your opinion, what do you think this team can do?
JEFF-
Well I think we have the pieces in place to have an exceptional season and that was a big part of why I made the decisions I did about John L. and I felt like no matter what -- how the season goes -- it's going to be a tough season because of the situation that we're in.
So I really felt we needed a proven leader, a mature leader and I thought John L. was the person to do that. But I also thought, we have a mature team and we have a senior leadership. You know...Tyler, Knile...but we also have a team that is a mature team. And some of that is because of Bobby Petrino and the way he ran the program and the way he demanded, of our student-athletes.
But you know, we have a mature team. So I think that we can take all of these things and put it together and have an exceptional season. We're in the toughest conference. We're in the toughest division of the toughest conference so it's a battle. Every game's a battle. You know a lot of people will focus, well you've got Alabama and LSU. Well, guess what? We've got a lot of people in between them in this conference that play football and they're expecting to have a great year as well...so every game will be a battle. No question.
MATT-
I know it's hard predict. To put a number on it. But if you can, is there a number...is there a record that Coach Smith has to have in order to maybe keep the job he has for another year?
JEFF-
That's a reasonable question but no I don't put a number on it. I really can't. If you did then everybody you know, as the season goes along, well is he going to make that number? And so I don't deal in that. It's going to be, as I said, a difficult season because with every victory there will be people who are saying that hey it's time to lock Coach Smith up and with a loss it's going to be, hey -- he didn't make the best decision for the program. That comes with the territory. I know that.
But no, I don't put out those numbers for Coach Smith. I mean, we've got to evaluate the season as we go through the season and then we'll get to the end of the year and it will be clear to us I think whether it's the right decision to maintain Coach Smith as our head coach or go out on a search and bring in a new leader.
MATT-
I want to ask you personally. You've always been well known. You know people know Jeff Long across the country but your speech, what you said at Bud Walton Arena, really on a horrific night in the history of Razorback athletics -- gained national attention, national recognition. I would drive around and listen to XM Satellite Radio, ESPN Radio and guys that I had never heard of were talking about Jeff Long and how they much respected you and that you chose morals and the right thing over wins and losses. So it's like overnight you went from a well known, respected athletic director to maybe THE most well known, respected athletic director. What does that feel like?
JEFF-
You know, it's very difficult for me because of the type of person I am to grasp all that. I mean, I am who I am and there are many athletic directors -- and I won't say all -- but many athletic directors I think would have arrived at the same place given those circumstances.
So you know, I appreciate the notoriety that comes with this position. I know that there are times when as athletic director you have to be out front. That's probably the most uncomfortable role for me believe it or not. But as a leader, I know that I have to be out front and that was a case that night where I needed to be out front. I needed to be the face of Razorback athletics. And again, at this place -- the face of the university and face of the state at that point in time. So it was an important message to deliver that night. I know I got many thoughts and prayers from Razorback fans and believe me I needed all of that to pull myself up and deliver that message and so I thank all our supporters out there.
And you know the national stage to me, again, anything I do on the national stage -- I want it to reflect positively on the University of Arkansas, our student-athletes and our state and I really do mean that. That's why I'm in this is for our student-athletes, and again, when you take a position like the University of Arkansas and it is unique, this leadership position, because it does (affect) so many people throughout out entire state...you know...that take pride in what we do here at the University of Arkansas...Razorback athletics.
MATT-
You said you got a lot of mail, you got a lot of well wishes. You also got a phone call or two from Stanford. Maybe not directly to you. But from what I'm told, they reached out to you about a vacancy and let's just be honest -- that's a great job. Stanford is a great great job and if what I'm told is correct, you didn't really respond to the phone calls. Walk me through the process of, you find out Stanford maybe wants to talk to you and you say I want to stay at Arkansas. Why is that?
JEFF-
Well, it's a prestigious institution, no question. And again, when you are in a role like this you expect from time to time for people to have an interest if you're doing a good job and I feel like my team and I are doing a good job here, so we're being recognized which is great.
We want to be recognized but you know, I have a great job. I really do. And there were reasons why I left the University of Pittsburgh to come to Arkansas.
All those reasons are still here for me. I love being in this place, I love this university, I love this part of the country, I love the passion of the Razorback fans and I believe we have a chance to win national championships here -- whether it be in football, basketball, baseball and you know in some of our other sports we're closer...track, gymnastics. You know, we have the chance to win national championships here and that's really exciting to me and we do it in the toughest conference, in the toughest division in all of sports. So the competitor in me says this is the place to compete and I love to compete.
MATT-
And you're getting ready...You're about to hire, maybe you're about to hire, a new football coach. Real quickly, qualifications. Just one, two, three, four -- give me your qualifications for the guy you're looking for.
JEFF-
Well, I don't have an order but I will tell you that obviously we've got...this is, as we continue to say it - the most competitive conference. We've got to have a tough hard-nose coach who can deal with the battles. The battles that occur on the field, the battles that occur in recruiting. Obviously, we want honesty and integrity. Those are basics you look for in any of our coaches.
We want one that's student-athlete centered. One that looks at our student-athletes and understands, not just that winning in football is important, but all of what this does for the individual in our program. I've always believed that if you take care of those student-athletes, you instill in them those qualities that only athletics can do and then you build that into your football program and you take all of those elements that help develop the person to be the best person they can be -- they'll be the best athlete they can be. So you know, we need a football coach that understands that.
I think we need to have one that has a forward looking approach, a positive looking approach -- because again -- it's easy to come in here and come up with all the reasons why Arkansas can't be successful. You know, that's easy. You can do that at every every school. We need somebody to look at, no, here's why we can win a national championship at Arkansas. There are many reasons why, positive reasons why we can. So...but you know that's the kind of leader. You know, has to be a leader. Has to be a strong leader. Somebody that understands the role of a head coach at this institution, at this state and accepts that's responsibility. It's a huge responsibility.
But I also think that because of all we've done to build our program whether it be facilities, whether it be our academic support program, whether it be our fundraising, whether it be our stadium, the new football center -- all those things have put us in position to attract a high quality head coach.
I was impressed with the number of people who reached out initially. Most of those were people that were interested in the job at the end of the season because it was a unique time, an unusual time with no spring football practice -- that most people weren't interested in engaging us at that time. But you know, I think we'll have a depth of talent interested in this job and we'll see as the process unfolds, who will eventually be our head football coach.
MATT-
So it's safe to say -- end of the season -- you'll have no problem choosing a coach that probably quite a few people are very familiar with and a very successful coach?
JEFF-
Yeah, I think so. And again, as we sit here today, I think that we would be attracting a sitting head coach and somebody with an established resume.
However, I'm also not going to rule out an offensive or defensive coordinator because you know, everybody -- as athletic directors -- we're looking for the next Bob Stoops. A guy who went from defensive coordinator in the two years at Oklahoma, won a national championship.
So there are guys out there that are highly regarded offensive and defensive coordinators that may be the right time, the right fit. But again, the season will play out. Coach Smith will have an opportunity to win this job and if as he said and I've said -- it will be clear at the end of the season what direction we're headed.
MATT-
Ok, this is the final question. Crazy, crazy question but people are talking about it. I don't know if you heard it. People believe....some...I say some, that Petrino may be sitting out a year -- still lives here -- and may come back and be the head coach in a year or two.
JEFF-
Yeah, there's no...there's no...validity to that. That's not going to happen.
MATT-
Not going to happen?
JEFF-
It's not going to happen.
MATT-
Ok. I just had to make sure. That probably won't even be on camera! Just had to make sure!
JEFF-
No, I know. It amazes me that that's still out there.
MATT-
Have you heard that?
JEFF-
Oh yeah, yeah.. I've had people tell me that it's my plan.
MATT-
Yeah, that's your plan! Get rid of him. Get him out of the limelight. You know, bring him back.
No way it's going to happen?
JEFF-
No..(answers with a smile)
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PART 2 OF THE UNCUT INTERVIEW.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PART 2 OF THE UNCUT INTERVIEW.
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The following is a transcript Matt Turner's conversation with Jeff Long on June 7, 2012:
MATT TURNER-
Jeff, you just got back from the SEC meetings in Destin, Florida. Did you have any time, first of all, to relax and have a good time on the beach?
JEFF LONG-
I did. I went early. I went early Saturday, Sunday...It was really crowded with the weekend but Saturday, Sunday and Monday I had with my family and then Tuesday through Friday was business.
MATT-
And what got accomplished? Kind of take me through a typical SEC meeting for you?
JEFF-
Well, a lot of information sharing and a lot of year-end information that the conference office brings us.
You know our revenue distribution and how our television partners have performed, how our radio partners have performed, how the marketing partnerships have performed. All of those kind of things.
We do an evaluation and then we kind of set our goals and parameters for what we'd like to see in the future in the year ahead. So, a lot of that information happening.
We have a lot of people coming in and reporting to us. The National Football Foundation and each one of the television partners comes in -- puts on a presentation -- updates us on their perspective of how those partnerships have worked. So a lot of information, a lot of meetings, gathering information and then it turns to the business of the conference. Which it may be the legislation. For instance, the legislation that we got passed that allows us now to have unofficial visits in Little Rock for both games and then if we play a neutral site game like we have in Dallas, it allows us to host unofficial visits.
So it's that kind of information. We share information on rules compliance as well. How our institutions have done in the compliance standpoint and such. So a lot of year-end wrap up and planning for the future.
MATT-
Anything big? You talked about, obviously it's huge to host recruits at War Memorial and Cowboys Stadium, but anything other than that? Anything big that's going to be noticeable that will affect the athletic department right away?
JEFF-
Well, we've agreed to the 611 football schedule for the time being. You know, six games in the west and then one permanent crossover which is Missouri for us -- which is a change from South Carolina. And then the one rotating school through the rest of the east that will rotate for us.
So those are the big things. The basketball schedule has come out. Who we're going to play twice, who we're going to play once, who's going to be a permanent. Again, Missouri will be our permanent partner on that side of the division. So some of those things are the things that our fans will see the most impact from.
MATT-
You were the new guy not long ago at the SEC meetings but you've now been here for a while. Talk about your relationship with some of the other athletic directors or the coaches at different schools. Is there sort of a bond that you guys have when you all get together in one place and you get to talk? Or is it kind of weird where you're still kinda like, "That's the enemy over there."?
JEFF-
You know, I've worked Matt in five of the BCS automatic qualifying conferences. I can honestly say there's a "esprit de corps", a working relationship in the SEC that is very different and very positive than I've seen in those other conferences.
So I think there's a lot of time for us to openly share our viewpoints. Certainly, we each have now 14 different perspectives but I've been really impressed with the way people share their thoughts. Obviously, I have my ideas, what's in the best interest in Arkansas and I'm able to share those. And you know what, I know that that may be different than what Texas A&M or South Carolina or Florida might have.
But we can share that. We can honestly share that and know that we have our differences. Know there may be things that just we're never going to agree upon but I think there is a feeling there that we are in it for the best interest for the SEC overall and after we share our perspectives, we're able to get to the point that it really is in the best interests of all of us in the SEC.
MATT-
Tell me about the two brand new teams in the SEC. In your opinion, just maybe as a Razorback fan -- take the athletic director hat off -- Missouri, Texas A&M....what do you think that means to the SEC?
JEFF-
Well, I think from Arkansas' standpoint, two things. Texas A&M is a renewal of a rivalry that we already renewed through our non-conference games so to me that's a big plus for us. It allows the Southeastern Conference brand to be spread even deeper into Texas. That only helps Arkansas.
You know, I know some people think, "Well, you know now Texas A&M's going to get the recruits that Arkansas used to get". It's really not the case. When you look at the number of division one prospects that come out of the state of Texas.....one -- Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, they can't take them all.
There are quality athletes there. SEC being in there is only going to help Arkansas. So we're excited about that, continuing that rivalry, and then Missouri gives us a different thing. It gives us a chance to develop new rivalries with a border state which now becomes our closest SEC partner. So I think over time that will grow. So there's kind of two, from our standpoint, kind of two different kinds of new members. Both exciting to us. Both, I think will help the University of Arkansas as we compete in the SEC.
MATT-
You know, I'm wondering something. You talk about -- you have conversations with different coaches, athletic directors and I know you have a lot of relationships.
Everybody in the country right now knows that you're kind of looking for maybe a new head coach. Do you get phone calls everyday? Do you get people approaching you...through third parties? Do people say, "You may want to look at so and so"? Does that happen quite a bit now?
JEFF-
Not everyday, but yes it happens quite a bit. But certainly not everyday.
I think it was interesting down at the SEC meetings that if I had a conversation with a coach that I've had a relationship with, there were people kind of looking and noticing that -- ya know -- Les Miles and I have known each other since 1987 when I worked with him. So when we have a conversation, you know, people just kind of look. What are Jeff and Les talking about?
But it's an interesting time for us. It gives me a great deal of time to do a lot of research on prospective coaches. And I said the other day, that's kind of good and bad because you really have almost too much time to delve into backgrounds and do research. But overall I think it's good and we do have a great amount of time to really look in and develop the kind of profile we want for the next coach and who fits that profile.
MATT-
Les Miles, you said you're a good friend to him. What kind of guy is he? Is he really the grass eating, kind of crazy madhatter that they portray on TV?
JEFF-
Les is an unusual guy! He's a character! Again, I coached with him in 1987. It was a long time ago but you know he has a passion for the game and I think you can see that in him.
You know, he has a method to his madness and sometimes it is madness but you know Les is a good person, a good guy. I know his wife Kathy, I know their children -- so they're friends in that regard. I've certainly respected what he did as a coach at Oklahoma State and now at LSU.
MATT-
Alright, well moving on....you've become a Twitter superstar and I remember when you first started and you had maybe, you know, a couple of hundred followers and it jumped up to a thousand. Now you're....I mean, goodness gracious -- it's growing and growing.
Tell me about Twitter. Is that kind of like a hobby, a way for you to relax and unwind? It seems like you have a lot of fun with it.
JEFF-
Well, first of all Matt -- I think Twitter is a social media tool that we have to use and I think that those who haven't caught onto it yet are behind the times. I think it is "of the now". You need to be in it now.
You know, I was pleased to see Coach Smith take it on. You know, it's not for everybody. We certainly don't demand each coach do it. You've got to have a comfort level with it. You have to have an idea of how you're going to use it.
Me personally -- I don't use it to break news. I use it to comment on our stories, other stories and I use it for fun. It is stress relief for me to get on there in the evenings when my children went to bed, my wife's gone to bed and now I can kind of unwind and I use it to have fun with the fans. But I do use it to get feedback and there's a lot of valuable feedback. Some -- not so valuable feedback I get!
But there's valuable feedback that I get about our program. What our fanbase is thinking and believe me, if you're not in touch with social media today, I think you're behind the scenes.
So, it's been a valuable tool. I think we'll continue to look for ways that we can utilize that tool to reach our fanbase. You know, I like getting feedback and I think that if you sit up here in this office that's overlooking the stadium and not know what our fans are thinking, you're not able to do your job the most effectively. So, you know what -- I appreciate the feedback and I like having fun on there. I hope the fans on Twitter know that sometimes I'm joking around and I'm having a little fun and I'm unwinding!
MATT-
Yeah, I think they do! And you can probably guess too what the main thing is, the number one thing you can mention or retweet and it gets everybody's attention and gets everybody going. It has something to do with uniforms.
JEFF-
Absolutely!
All you've got to do is just throw out some idea that we have a black uniform!
MATT-
Exactly!
JEFF-
And it lights up!
MATT-
Exactly!
And now there are pictures. Where did these pictures come from? Have you seen them?
JEFF-
I've seen various pictures....
MATT-
Of a black Razorback uniform? Is that a possibility for next season? This coming season?
JEFF-
Well, we've said....we plan to introduce our new uniforms. But certainly, you know -- the red and white, the cardinal and the white in our program is not going away. That's the predominant colors.
I think that when our fans see the uniforms, they'll see that we've paid respects to the tradition and who we are and what we are. But at the same time, you know, we have tried to.....we look around and see what's going in intercollegiate athletics and see what's happening and I think we've tried to touch that element of our fan support and what our young people want and are excited about and we've also, you know, listened to our football student-athletes.
They're an important part of who we are and we listened to them and what they are looking for. Again, we've taken all those things and I think you'll see a uniform that really tries to really brand and show who we are at the University of Arkansas.
MATT-
And again, this is not just something that -- you and I have talked about this before -- it's not just something you just say, "We're going to put a black jersey on our players for no reason whatsoever".
And a lot of the older fans, you know my grandparents or whatever, they may not understand completely but this actually -- and it's hard to believe -- this actually fires up a team for some reason. I don't know why but if you give them a black jersey and so that's kind of the incentive right?
JEFF-
Well, yeah. I think it's something different. People want something different. I think the student-athlete of today, you know they're interested in style and they're into how they look and that's part of the psychology of competing.
And you know, we've had an evolution in uniforms here. Again, some people tend to only focus on their era when they were here in school but I think we'll do a good job of showing how our uniforms have evolved. But yeah, I think today you've got to pay attention to your student-athletes. If they look good, feel good -- you know that's going to help their competitive performance.
MATT-
Alright, we've had some fun and I know you don't want to talk much about it but I do need to ask you about the difficult time that really all Razorback fans had recently. You especially because you're the boss.
Take me back to when Bobby told you and kind of came clean and just the emotions and just the feelings and what was going through your head at that time.
JEFF-
Well again, without going too much into that, you know -- it's disappointment. And you know, we all know that the football position -- the head coach at the University of Arkansas is a highly-held and highly-regarded position on this campus, in this state. So you know, the disappointment in how we in some respects let down our passionate fanbase.
So those are the things and then there's all the human feelings. You know for Bobby and his family, the assistant coaches for our student-athletes, you know, for all the people who have worked so hard.
We have a great staff here. Coaches, people behind the scenes that really work for this university because they really love the Razorbacks just like our fans do. So all of those human things were in effect there, were in play there as you might imagine. And you know, it was a difficult time and we wanted though to make sure that we didn't let one action define who we are and what we stand for and what we're going to be, continue to be here.
So I think it was important that we got out and took the action that we did and sent the message that we did because this program is bigger than any one individual and it's something that's very special and something very important. And we understand we have a tremendous responsibility. The head football coach has a tremendous responsibility to much much more than himself and his team and this department, the university. It's the entire state here.
MATT-
Was there a little bit of a...I'm guessing you were in shock maybe or in mourning or a grieving period. I know there was no death but did it take a little while to get over it and say, ok now I'm ready to move on?
JEFF-
Yeah, to some degree. But you know you had to deal with those emotions, at my level as a leader, pretty quickly. I mean you had them, you had to deal with them and now you had to focus on what's in the best interest of this program. And what are we going to do to make sure this doesn't define us? That's what we told our people. You know, this doesn't tell us who we are.
We know who we are and we've got to make sure that we project to our fans that we know who we are and that we are bigger than this and that we were going to move on and our program is going to move on.
We're going to be stronger because of what we've come through and I think my staff and I, and the university chancellor, all of us have done a good job of putting that foot forward and moving on as quickly as possible and setting our sights and setting our sights on our goal.
MATT-
Have you spoken to Bobby since?
JEFF-
I have not. I have not.
MATT-
Do you think you ever will? Do you think you'll reach out to him? Would you answer the phone if he called you?
JEFF-
Yeah, I think the ball's in his court from my point of view and I'm sure he's dealing with lots of emotional things and again, the most important thing is for him to focus on his family and get his life situated. And I get all that.
You know, I think sometime down the road, you know I'm sure we'll run into each other in this profession and I'm sure I'll have words with him. And you know, I don't wish him any ill will. I wish him the best as he continues on.
MATT-
Alright. So with that being said, it's time for the upcoming football season.
John L. Smith, you've got the entire coaching staff in tact, a lot of good players....in your opinion -- be honest now -- in your opinion, what do you think this team can do?
JEFF-
Well I think we have the pieces in place to have an exceptional season and that was a big part of why I made the decisions I did about John L. and I felt like no matter what -- how the season goes -- it's going to be a tough season because of the situation that we're in.
So I really felt we needed a proven leader, a mature leader and I thought John L. was the person to do that. But I also thought, we have a mature team and we have a senior leadership. You know...Tyler, Knile...but we also have a team that is a mature team. And some of that is because of Bobby Petrino and the way he ran the program and the way he demanded, of our student-athletes.
But you know, we have a mature team. So I think that we can take all of these things and put it together and have an exceptional season. We're in the toughest conference. We're in the toughest division of the toughest conference so it's a battle. Every game's a battle. You know a lot of people will focus, well you've got Alabama and LSU. Well, guess what? We've got a lot of people in between them in this conference that play football and they're expecting to have a great year as well...so every game will be a battle. No question.
MATT-
I know it's hard predict. To put a number on it. But if you can, is there a number...is there a record that Coach Smith has to have in order to maybe keep the job he has for another year?
JEFF-
That's a reasonable question but no I don't put a number on it. I really can't. If you did then everybody you know, as the season goes along, well is he going to make that number? And so I don't deal in that. It's going to be, as I said, a difficult season because with every victory there will be people who are saying that hey it's time to lock Coach Smith up and with a loss it's going to be, hey -- he didn't make the best decision for the program. That comes with the territory. I know that.
But no, I don't put out those numbers for Coach Smith. I mean, we've got to evaluate the season as we go through the season and then we'll get to the end of the year and it will be clear to us I think whether it's the right decision to maintain Coach Smith as our head coach or go out on a search and bring in a new leader.
MATT-
I want to ask you personally. You've always been well known. You know people know Jeff Long across the country but your speech, what you said at Bud Walton Arena, really on a horrific night in the history of Razorback athletics -- gained national attention, national recognition. I would drive around and listen to XM Satellite Radio, ESPN Radio and guys that I had never heard of were talking about Jeff Long and how they much respected you and that you chose morals and the right thing over wins and losses. So it's like overnight you went from a well known, respected athletic director to maybe THE most well known, respected athletic director. What does that feel like?
JEFF-
You know, it's very difficult for me because of the type of person I am to grasp all that. I mean, I am who I am and there are many athletic directors -- and I won't say all -- but many athletic directors I think would have arrived at the same place given those circumstances.
So you know, I appreciate the notoriety that comes with this position. I know that there are times when as athletic director you have to be out front. That's probably the most uncomfortable role for me believe it or not. But as a leader, I know that I have to be out front and that was a case that night where I needed to be out front. I needed to be the face of Razorback athletics. And again, at this place -- the face of the university and face of the state at that point in time. So it was an important message to deliver that night. I know I got many thoughts and prayers from Razorback fans and believe me I needed all of that to pull myself up and deliver that message and so I thank all our supporters out there.
And you know the national stage to me, again, anything I do on the national stage -- I want it to reflect positively on the University of Arkansas, our student-athletes and our state and I really do mean that. That's why I'm in this is for our student-athletes, and again, when you take a position like the University of Arkansas and it is unique, this leadership position, because it does (affect) so many people throughout out entire state...you know...that take pride in what we do here at the University of Arkansas...Razorback athletics.
MATT-
You said you got a lot of mail, you got a lot of well wishes. You also got a phone call or two from Stanford. Maybe not directly to you. But from what I'm told, they reached out to you about a vacancy and let's just be honest -- that's a great job. Stanford is a great great job and if what I'm told is correct, you didn't really respond to the phone calls. Walk me through the process of, you find out Stanford maybe wants to talk to you and you say I want to stay at Arkansas. Why is that?
JEFF-
Well, it's a prestigious institution, no question. And again, when you are in a role like this you expect from time to time for people to have an interest if you're doing a good job and I feel like my team and I are doing a good job here, so we're being recognized which is great.
We want to be recognized but you know, I have a great job. I really do. And there were reasons why I left the University of Pittsburgh to come to Arkansas.
All those reasons are still here for me. I love being in this place, I love this university, I love this part of the country, I love the passion of the Razorback fans and I believe we have a chance to win national championships here -- whether it be in football, basketball, baseball and you know in some of our other sports we're closer...track, gymnastics. You know, we have the chance to win national championships here and that's really exciting to me and we do it in the toughest conference, in the toughest division in all of sports. So the competitor in me says this is the place to compete and I love to compete.
MATT-
And you're getting ready...You're about to hire, maybe you're about to hire, a new football coach. Real quickly, qualifications. Just one, two, three, four -- give me your qualifications for the guy you're looking for.
JEFF-
Well, I don't have an order but I will tell you that obviously we've got...this is, as we continue to say it - the most competitive conference. We've got to have a tough hard-nose coach who can deal with the battles. The battles that occur on the field, the battles that occur in recruiting. Obviously, we want honesty and integrity. Those are basics you look for in any of our coaches.
We want one that's student-athlete centered. One that looks at our student-athletes and understands, not just that winning in football is important, but all of what this does for the individual in our program. I've always believed that if you take care of those student-athletes, you instill in them those qualities that only athletics can do and then you build that into your football program and you take all of those elements that help develop the person to be the best person they can be -- they'll be the best athlete they can be. So you know, we need a football coach that understands that.
I think we need to have one that has a forward looking approach, a positive looking approach -- because again -- it's easy to come in here and come up with all the reasons why Arkansas can't be successful. You know, that's easy. You can do that at every every school. We need somebody to look at, no, here's why we can win a national championship at Arkansas. There are many reasons why, positive reasons why we can. So...but you know that's the kind of leader. You know, has to be a leader. Has to be a strong leader. Somebody that understands the role of a head coach at this institution, at this state and accepts that's responsibility. It's a huge responsibility.
But I also think that because of all we've done to build our program whether it be facilities, whether it be our academic support program, whether it be our fundraising, whether it be our stadium, the new football center -- all those things have put us in position to attract a high quality head coach.
I was impressed with the number of people who reached out initially. Most of those were people that were interested in the job at the end of the season because it was a unique time, an unusual time with no spring football practice -- that most people weren't interested in engaging us at that time. But you know, I think we'll have a depth of talent interested in this job and we'll see as the process unfolds, who will eventually be our head football coach.
MATT-
So it's safe to say -- end of the season -- you'll have no problem choosing a coach that probably quite a few people are very familiar with and a very successful coach?
JEFF-
Yeah, I think so. And again, as we sit here today, I think that we would be attracting a sitting head coach and somebody with an established resume.
However, I'm also not going to rule out an offensive or defensive coordinator because you know, everybody -- as athletic directors -- we're looking for the next Bob Stoops. A guy who went from defensive coordinator in the two years at Oklahoma, won a national championship.
So there are guys out there that are highly regarded offensive and defensive coordinators that may be the right time, the right fit. But again, the season will play out. Coach Smith will have an opportunity to win this job and if as he said and I've said -- it will be clear at the end of the season what direction we're headed.
MATT-
Ok, this is the final question. Crazy, crazy question but people are talking about it. I don't know if you heard it. People believe....some...I say some, that Petrino may be sitting out a year -- still lives here -- and may come back and be the head coach in a year or two.
JEFF-
Yeah, there's no...there's no...validity to that. That's not going to happen.
MATT-
Not going to happen?
JEFF-
It's not going to happen.
MATT-
Ok. I just had to make sure. That probably won't even be on camera! Just had to make sure!
JEFF-
No, I know. It amazes me that that's still out there.
MATT-
Have you heard that?
JEFF-
Oh yeah, yeah.. I've had people tell me that it's my plan.
MATT-
Yeah, that's your plan! Get rid of him. Get him out of the limelight. You know, bring him back.
No way it's going to happen?
JEFF-
No..(answers with a smile)
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