Strong to Arkansas rumors begin

It was inevitable. In the wake of Petrino's firing, Charlie Strong's name is already being floated by pundits and prognosticators as someone the Razorbacks may pursue. Unlike other rumors that can be dismissed out of hand, this one may have legs because Strong is from Arkansas, and it's written somewhere that all coaches must secretly dream of returning to lead their homestate team. That, and of course, Petrino was making about a cool mil and a half more than Strong annually.

And let's face it, whatever went down with the local media (a story picked up by some minor national outlets) earlier this week will only further the idea that Strong is unhappy at a "basketball school" and seeks a destination where football is year-round king.

No one knows what the future holds for Charlie, and it's foolish or naive to do to much speculating. But I'm both, so I'm going to anyways.

I put the Arkansas rumors in the "ain't gonna happen" file primarily because of timing. Had the job opened at the end of last season, perhaps it could have made sense. But after wrapping a bow on another recruiting class, going through the spring session, and now preparing for an approaching season, the suddenness of Petrino's exit robs them of the typical process for finding a new coach.

Plus, media speculation aside, Charlie Strong has it pretty good here, and I think he knows it. His popularity is up in the Gandhi range, he can practically write the terms of his future contracts, and the University just authorized a 7.5 million dollar upgrade of his practice facilities. I don't think the lack of a couple stories from Fred Cowgill is likely to trump any of those things.

Most importantly, I think he knows how special the opportunity is for this core group of young players. Headlined by Bridgewater, I suspect he suspects the type of things this team is capable of in the next two seasons. Building the forward momentum like Strong has done here is no easy feat; it would be foolish to walk out before reaping the rewards for all of his hard work.

And if he leads the Cards back to the BCS, his name will come up in coaching conversations at far better positions than Arkansas. That's when we'll have to sweat. But maybe, just maybe, he's The One.