Frank Broyles to Resign as Arkansas Athletic Director

Long time University of Arkansas fixture Frank Broyles announced his retirement Saturday, February 17, 2007. Broyles He told the university's board of trustees Saturday he will retire at the end of the year, ending days of intense speculation about his future. Broyles wore a red blazer and tie as he spoke and red-and-white balloons and banners decorated the room. One banner read, "Thanks Coach." Broyles stories about old football teams and spoke with pride about the UA Razorback athletic department he's dominated for much of his 50-year career.

Broyles' career at Arkansas began Dec. 7, 1957, when school trustees hired him away from Missouri. As Arkansas football coach and athletic director (AD), Broyles built a program with high-profile coaches and top-notch facilities. "It's been a Razorback miracle that I've witnessed," the 82-year-old Broyles said. "And the fans of Arkansas deserve all the credit."

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who once played for Broyles, addressed the crowd gathered in the ballroom at the Arkansas Union. Jones said afterward he was saddened by Broyles' departure."I can tell you from being in the business, he's irreplaceable and he's still 'got it,' and for this state, for this university, I hate to see that diminish in any way," Jones said.

Also in attendance were Razorback football coach Houston Nutt, Razorback defensive coordinator Reggie Herring, Razorback basketball coach Stan Heath and Razorback track and field coach John McDonnell.

"I have notified Chancellor (John) White of my decision to retire as director of athletics, effective at the end of the calendar year. This is not an easy decision after 50 years but a choice that I feel is the best," Broyles told the board.

White said he had asked Broyles to remain as a university consultant but said terms had not been worked out. Broyles is a noted fundraiser _ recently captaining a $1 billion capital campaign for the school _ and the former ABC football analyst is a popular speaker wherever he goes.

"Our hope is that he will be the university's No. 1 ambassador and continue to attract resources for the institution, something he does better than anyone," White said. He asked the trustees to designate Broyles "athletic director emeritus" next Jan. 1.

While he was coaching, Broyles became famous for hiring top assistants. More than 25 of them eventually became head coaches, including Joe Gibbs, Jimmy Johnson, Johnny Majors and Jackie Sherrill. The Broyles Award is now given each year to the nation's top assistant football coach.

After becoming AD in 1973, Broyles also hired Lou Holtz to replace him as football coach in 1977 and hired Eddie Sutton and Nolan Richardson as basketball coaches. Sutton took the Razorbacks to the Final Four and Richardson guided Arkansas to the 1994 national championship. McDonnell's track teams since 1984 have won 42 NCAA championships: 11 cross-country, 19 indoor and 12 outdoor.

"There are a lot of ADs that are director of football, period," McDonnell said. "Director of athletics is not singular _ he did it all."

As athletic director, Broyles guided the Razorbacks out of the Southwest Conference and into the more lucrative Southeastern Conference in 1991.

Broyles' tenure has not been without controversy. Sutton, who left in 1985, has talked of a spat with Broyles that sparked his departure. Richardson's firing in 2002 was even more acrimonious.

Richardson sued the school, claiming he was fired because he is black and because he exercised his free-speech rights. U.S. District Judge William R. Wilson Jr. ruled in June 2004 that Richardson failed to prove his case and a federal appeals court later agreed.

Broyles, a Georgia native, is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He was a three-sport star at Georgia Tech and compiled a 144-58-5 record as a head football coach.

References

Anrams, A. (2007, Feb 19). Broyles to step down. Fort Smith Times Record. Retrieved from http://www.swtimes.com/articles/2007/02/20/week_in_review/news/sunday/news01.txt

Sherrington, K. (2007 Feb 17). Departing Broyles leaving a hog hero. Dallas News.com. retrieved from http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/columnists/ksherrington/stories/021807dnsposherrington.1381da8.html