HOOVER, Ala. – Arkansas coach Bret Bielema may not have been as animated as former coach John L. Smith last year, but he definitely made sure his voice was heard in his SEC Football Media Days debut.
The former Wisconsin coach in on the record as saying he believes hurry-up offenses can lead to injury, After learning Auburn coach Gus Malzahn considered this notion to be “a joke,” Bielema gave a passionate response that this issue was no laughing matter.
“I am not a comedian,” Bielema said. “… When you go to recruit a kid that is 17 years old, move him halfway across the country, you can look a mom and dad in the eye, and you say, ‘I am going to look out for the personal well-being of your son in everything that I do… If I have a son that I have brought to this campus and I don’t look after his personal well-being, I have lied to that parent. “
Bielema is Arkansas’ third coach in as many years, which may prove to be a challenge for him early on in his tenure.
He indicated his plan is to start in the trenches and build around solid play at the line of scrimmage.
“I am going to start with the offensive line and defensive line, two staples I believe are important for winning games that I want our team to play,” Bielema said. “Does not matter if we are in the SEC, Big Ten, Pac-12, whatever it is. It’s something I emphasize from day one. “
The number of recent coaching changes and the Razorbacks’ poor performance last season has led many to believe they will not project high in preseason polls.
Bielema said that is exactly what he wants.
“The lower the better,” Bielema said. “I think our kids are carrying a tremendous chip on their shoulder… I do excel in situations where people think very, very little of us. For those of you that want to, vote us lower… Then just sit back and watch.”