As quickly as Frank Broyles moved to replace Nolan Richardson when Nolan said publicly that the UArkansas could show him the money, Jeff Long moved to heal those wounds when Nolan ended his silence.
“I look forward to sitting down with him and talking with him and getting to know him,” said Jeff Long, who replaced Frank Broyles on Jan. 1. “I think it says a lot about how he feels about the Razorbacks that he stayed here in Fayetteville. Time heals, and hopefully time will heal those wounds on both sides and that we can move forward from that.” Sporting News 1-31-2008
It’s comforting to believe that SOMEONE on the Hill thinks the way some HogFans think !!!!!!! My Blog 1-31-2008 before Jeff Long’s Comments.
John Pelphrey has spoken publically about bringing Nolan and the 1994 team back to Bud Walton Arena. To the extent that Pelphrey’s push brought all together, I’d stand up and say “Thanks” even if he took the Kentucky job tomorrow.
It’s worth that much to begin the healing.
“I know people within our department have great love and respect for him. I had planned to reach out before now but haven’t had the chance,” Long said. “I look forward to sitting down with coach Richardson and meeting him. Again, I have respected him as a basketball coach from afar.”
Yesterday I mentioned that I was about to put some thoughts on Frank Broyles down when this development with Nolan took place.
The emphasis in Long’s comments squarely addresses a concern that the “Emeritus” status which Frank Broyles enjoys may truly be nothing more. Broyles moves behind the scenes and a title wouldn’t change that.
Maybe Jeff Long is his own Man, and maybe Nolan is right.
“The troops are changing,” Richardson said. “Hopefully it’ll be a good change.”
