We did not come here to paint!
This was Bobby Petrino’s motto and reply nearly 13 years ago when asked late in the game by an assistant coach, whether they should punt or go for a crucial 4th down and long with the game tied against LSU at War Memorial Stadium on a picturesque, autumn afternoon down in La Petite Roche. After little deliberation, Ryan Mallett (RIP) took the snap under center and easily connected with Joe Adams down the left sidelines for a 29-yard, go-ahead touchdown pass, and the Razorbacks pulled out an emotional, if not improbable, victory over the Tigers and their aptly named coach, Les Miles.
This propelled the Hogs into the Sugar Bowl in NOLA and a marquee matchup versus the highly-ranked and tremendously-tattooed Buckeyes – the first ever-meeting of the two teams, and the biggest bowl game the Razorbacks participated in (since Lou Holtz and company took it on the chin, 42-11 from Bear Bryant and his 1979 University of Alabama Crimson Tide).
The Hogs lost by less than a touchdown to the Ohio State University that evening in the Crescent City and kept everyone in their seats at the Superdome ‘til the final horn blew by blocking a punt in the waning minutes of the game deep in Buckeye territory, yet failing to capitalize on the mistake, after Mallet’s (RIP) final pass as a Razorback was tragically intercepted near the goal line.
During his way-too-brief-initial stint at University of Arkansas (2008-11), BMFP, or Bobby ‘Mr. Football’ Petrino, and his teams compiled a most-respectful 34-17 record, while competing in the slobber-knockingist conference in the NCAA by a long shot. This was 15 years ago, back when a team from the state of Alabama usually finished atop the post-season polls, and Razorbacks Football was actually among the upper tier of conference teams and a legit force to be reckoned with, nationally, for the first time in a good long while.
But ever since he got the sack in 2012 on April Fool’s Day, our beloved Hogs are an abysmal 60-85, and have suffered defeat at the hands of lowly Liberty University and North Texas State, to name two.
Tough to expect much when under-qualified coaches, like Bret Bielema and Chad Morris, were hired with little experience, less of a work ethic and expected to compete with against the likes of Nick Saban, Kirby Smart and Jimbo Fisher. LOL! indeed.
Now that Sam Pittman is surrounded by quality, proven, assistant coaches, he can afford to act more like a true head coach, an overseer of the entire program, and allow his staff to sweat the small stuff. He is willing to receive a smaller salary (still worth multi-million$), so that more money can go to his assistant coaches. Contrast that with Saban, who had a clause in his contract that he was to always be the highest-paid coach in the SEC. Without Coach Pittman’s humility and willingness to win, BMFP woulda never graced the Razorback sidelines again.
As offensive lineman Fernando said when asked about the clout and influence Coach Petrino brings to the field on a daily basis. “If it’s not perfect, you’re gonna do it again, you’re gonna do it again, you’re gonna do it again, until it’s the way he wants it to look.”
Known as an outlier in his field, BMFP also thinks way outside the box and is not afraid to let it all hang out on any given play at any given time. All of this adds up to a prolific offense, thanks to his attention to detail and superior football I.Q, and Arkansas fans have basked in its light before and should prepare to do so, again.
So make no doubt, BMFP is still not here to paint; matter of fact, his latest mantra is – We’re gonna score every time we touch the ball.
Stay tuned…