I do not like to keep harping on one topic, but Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long’s recent statement made at the Northwest Arkansas Touchdown Club definitely calls for one more harp on this. 

"I also want to be clear I remain steadfastly behind this group of young men and this coaching staff," Long said. "Supporting this team is the best course of action for the short term and long term... I will fulfill my commitment to the players and coaches for this season, and I will not abandon them."

Apparently, what Long does not understand is that he has abandoned them and Arkansas by refusing to do his job, which is to fire John L. Smith as soon as possible. As I suggested before the Rutgers game, they need to go with an interim coach that will draw less negative attention and begin the search for a real head coach that people and players can respect.  

Smith is hurting the program in the short term and long term. Seriously, how many recruits do you think want to come to Arkansas after watching him on television? He has made a mockery of Arkansas with his statements and the performance of the team.  

After the 58-10 thumping by Texas A&M, the Razorbacks are now 94th overall in points per game and allow 40.6 points per game, 116th overall. Standing at 1-4, the Hogs would have to win five of the remaining seven games to even make it to a bowl. To be in this position after winning 21 games the last two seasons is astonishing. There is no doubt that Arkansas football is in shambles.

Fans and the community have a right to demand a better result on the field and for the team. It is rather obvious, more than ever, that Smith needs to go. Does it mean that they will win more games this season? No, but I am thinking about the long term which is recruiting and the face of the program... so should Jeff Long.

The Arkansas Razorbacks have had a wild offseason including a head coach involved in a scandal leading to termination and multiple players arrested on various charges. Then there is new head coach John L. Smith. He wasted no time making proclamations with the first being a pledge for a national title run. 

"Nothing is going to slow down. In fact, we're going to speed up. Our expectations are that we're going to battle and fight for a national title."

However, since his proclamation there were three more player arrests including wide receivers Marquel Wade, Maudrecus Humphrey, and tight end Andrew Peterson. Wade being the most prominent of the three and was expected to be a hot target at wide out for quarterback Tyler Wilson. These arrests add on to three others that occurred in April and March before Smith took the position. 

With a mixed head coaching background and a bad stint at Michigan State, Smith was presumably hired as an interim to keep continuity in the program for this season since he was recently an Arkansas assistant coach. However, it is obvious that one thing will change in Arkansas and that is the brashness combined with a quirky exuberance that Smith exhibits publicly compared to the constrained commentary style by former coach Bobby Petrino. 

Smith has been known for various tirades and stunts including slapping himself at a post game press conference. Hopefully for Razorback Nation, Smith at age 63 can fully utilize his chance for redemption with the opportunity to coach a title contender and bring them to the next level that many thought Petrino was on his way to doing. 

John L. Smith comes into a situation with seemingly full support by players and people within the program. Twitter approval was acknowledged shortly after his hire with tweets from Knile Davis and former Razorback Ryan Mallet, current New England Patriots back up quarterback. 

With top returning talent and John L. Smith now as coach, could this finally be the Year of the Hog not the Elephant or Tiger? Arkansas is trying for it and the fans still have hope. But a disappointing season and too many losses would just be another slap in the face. Either way, Smith should make it an interesting season.    

John L. Smith's meltdown against Ohio State in 2005
John L. Smith Slap

(Post Updated June 4, 2012)