CSNbbs

Full Version: ESPN Chat Wrap: Houston Nutt
You're currently viewing a stripped down version of our content. View the full version with proper formatting.
Welcome to the ESPN.com moderated chat room! On Monday, August 19, Arkansas head football coach Houston Nutt hit chat to preview his team and the conference.

The reigning Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year led one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the program's 108-year history last season. After beginning the year 1-3 and 0-3 in league play, Nutt led the Razorbacks to six victories in their final seven regular-season games, a 7-4 record, wins over two ranked teams and a berth in the 2002 SBC Cotton Bowl.

Since taking over the Razorback program four years ago, Nutt has guided the Hogs to four consecutive winning regular seasons and four postseason berths. In his tenure, Arkansas has played in the 1999 Citrus Bowl, the 2000 Cotton Bowl, the 2000 Las Vegas Bowl and the 2002 Cotton Bowl. Nutt has compiled a career record of 66-40 (.623) in nine seasons as a head coach, including stops at Murray State, Boise State and Arkansas. He has compiled a 30-18 (.625) mark as the Razorbacks' head coach.

If you missed the Aug. 19 chat, the full transcript follows:

For more on Arkansas athletics, visit hogwired.com!

For a list of upcoming ESPN.com chat guests, visit the Community section.

Houston Nutt: I am here and ready for your questions. Let's get started.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Benson, Mt. vernon, AR: Coach i am currently in the navy in san diego....but a die hard hog fan....what will it take to get the hogs to SEC West Title??? Thanks and good luck!!!!

Houston Nutt: We need an injury-free year or less injuries then we have had in the past several years. We need players to play their best and step it up a notch.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fayetteville, AR: Do you feel added pressure since you are on such a large stage with virtually the entire state watching your team???

Houston Nutt: I don't know if pressure is the right word, but I feel the obligation to please the fans. I want to graduate my players and win and that is an obligation to the school and it's fans.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Dallas, TX: How are you going to handle the QB situation? Are you going to settle on a #1 or will it be QB by committe? Who's first on the depth chart at this time?

Houston Nutt: That is a good question. We feel so good right now as opposed to last year when we had just one guy. Now we have three QBs we feel we can win with. We feel good about all three. We will have some scrimmages in the next couple of weeks and we'll make the decision. It will be a very interesting race. No one is No. 1 on the depth chart right now.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BT (El Dorado): Coach Nutt, How are the QB's looking so far in practice?

Houston Nutt: They look real good and are exciting to watch. All three have improved their arm strength and accuracy. I am very excited about it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lu: What is the team's overall chemistry like so far and particularly how is the chemistry in the weaker parts of the team (the left side of the o-line and the d-line)

Houston Nutt: This is a very close nit group. I don't have a lot of seniors so some of the younger guys have stepped up as leaders. I feel this could be one of the closest groups we have had since '98.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris, Jonesboro, AR: Hey Coach: I've been highly impressed with the job you've done as a coach, but especially as a mentor. What is the latest playing status for Ken Hamlin and Cedric Cobbs?

Houston Nutt: Right now they are doing everything we have asked on and off the field. We have disciplined both of them and we are anxious to put this past us and get them in the flow of the team. They are working very hard.

Both were seperate incidents and we have dealt with both them of seperately. We have seen the remorse from them and we wanted and the team feels they have earned their way back. We are moving forward. But it was a tough decision how to handle the situation for both of them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joe: What do yopu expect your chances will be for a bowl game?

Houston Nutt: We just have to take it one game at a time. We feel we have good chemistry and a good group of kids. So much can happen during a season, you have to just play them one at a time.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lane (Arkadelphia): After two very different, but equally devastating losses in the last 2 trips to Knoxville, how do you put those negative images out of your mind and prepare for the best case scenario this year? Best of luck to you this season.

Houston Nutt: Our young guys have a lot of confidence going against SEC teams. They know they have to play hard and smart against those teams. But that is a long time away before we go there, so we have other games we need to focus on right now.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sean(Detroit): Which SEC stadium is the toughest to play in? And why?

Houston Nutt: I think Auburn two years ago was very, very loud. Not the biggest, but the loudest. They are into every play like in Little Rock.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ren, Little Rock, AR : Do you believe new Def Coord. Dave Womack will be even more aggressive than John Thompson? With arguably the best cover corners in the nation, that should allow for plenty of "organized chaos".

Houston Nutt: Dave is very, very talented and will do a great job. He will be aggressive yet sound.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris (Dallas): How is the defensive line progressing, and do you have the depth you like at each spot on the line?

Houston Nutt: We don't have the depth we would like but we are excited with the way they are progressing. The next two scrimmages will tell us a lot about our team and the defensive line.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greg (Conway, AR): Hi Houston...What do you say to those people that criticize you for your record in away games during your stay at Arkansas?

Houston Nutt: I just say that if anyone would take a team and say they want to play all the SEC teams on the road, you would understand this is the toughest conference in the world. We are getting better on the road. We have beaten some great teams. Our record on the road is not what we want but we have won more West games than any other team in the last four years. We have gone to four straight bowl games so we are focusing on the positive and not the negative.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heath Chambers (Lonoke): Do you think the team will respond to all the adversity some of the players have had this spring and come together as one like they have in the past?

Houston Nutt: I think this team will be very close because we have a lot of great seniors. Not a lot of them, but some great guys to lead this team. We will be very close.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BL (Stuttgart): At this point in practices, what is shaping up to be the areas that need most improving, thus far?

Houston Nutt: I think the offensive and defensive lines need the most work. They are the toughest positions to play and we are working on adding some depth to those positions.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Casey Sacramento, CA: Coach, do you plan to bring the red pants out this year?

Houston Nutt: Yeah, we'll probably have them. I don't know when, but we will.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jay (Fayetteville): What conference record do you feel will win the west??

Houston Nutt: Ever since we have been here, it is two losses that have gotten to the title game. We are hoping the trend continues.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shaun(Fayetteville): Coach, who is number 1 on the depth chart at the tailback position?

Houston Nutt: Right now Tally, Cobb, Holmes, are all considered first and are playing well with Howard coming on.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul, Ward AR: Coach, Which game this season would you point to as your most critical this season?

Houston Nutt: I think it starts with the first conference game at home against Alabama. It sets the tone for the rest of the season.

Houston Nutt: That is all the time I have for now. I appreciate all the interest and we appreciate all the Razorback fans, they are the best in the world. Take care everyone.
Reference URL's