New Coach Announcement Excites Razorback Fans
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: December 5, 2012
When news hit the Hogs hired new coach Bret Bielema, Razorbacks fans expressed mixed but mostly positive emotions Tuesday afternoon.
At Gusanos Pizza in the River Market, by Tuesday evening, even though dozens of screens showed Hogs playing Oklahoma State in basketball, football and thoughts on the team's new coach still dominated the conversation.
"I was surprised by the name, but now after I've done my research, I'm excited," says John Carroll.
"I think he's a good hire. I think he'll bring discipline and consistency and a no-nonsense approach," says Bryan Wilson.
Supporters hope the former Wisconsin coach spices up the Hogs' strategy.
John Davie says his son played for coaches Houston Nutt and Bobby Petrino.
"Real football, smack mouth football and a cloud of dust," he said, describing what he hopes Bielema brings to the field.
But in the crowd of Hogs fans, a quieter couple shared dinner and their reaction.
"We were shocked and surprised," Mark Gleisner said.
On vacation from Wisconsin, Mark and his wife Martha say they learned they were heading home to a vacant coach's seat.
"We saw it roll across the crawl and I told my wife, 'Oh my God, we just lost our coach,'" he added.
But he says they will remain optimistic.
"I'm happy, he's a good coach, he did a good job with Wisconsin," said Gleisner.
And the like Hogs fans surrounding them, they're hoping this time, change is good.
"I think it'll turn it around. We're excited about it," Carroll says.
Click here for more of The Razorback Nation's coverage on the new coach in our special Bielema section.
At Gusanos Pizza in the River Market, by Tuesday evening, even though dozens of screens showed Hogs playing Oklahoma State in basketball, football and thoughts on the team's new coach still dominated the conversation.
"I was surprised by the name, but now after I've done my research, I'm excited," says John Carroll.
"I think he's a good hire. I think he'll bring discipline and consistency and a no-nonsense approach," says Bryan Wilson.
Supporters hope the former Wisconsin coach spices up the Hogs' strategy.
John Davie says his son played for coaches Houston Nutt and Bobby Petrino.
"Real football, smack mouth football and a cloud of dust," he said, describing what he hopes Bielema brings to the field.
But in the crowd of Hogs fans, a quieter couple shared dinner and their reaction.
"We were shocked and surprised," Mark Gleisner said.
On vacation from Wisconsin, Mark and his wife Martha say they learned they were heading home to a vacant coach's seat.
"We saw it roll across the crawl and I told my wife, 'Oh my God, we just lost our coach,'" he added.
But he says they will remain optimistic.
"I'm happy, he's a good coach, he did a good job with Wisconsin," said Gleisner.
And the like Hogs fans surrounding them, they're hoping this time, change is good.
"I think it'll turn it around. We're excited about it," Carroll says.
Click here for more of The Razorback Nation's coverage on the new coach in our special Bielema section.
