March 31, 2005
Updated on Friday, April 1, 2005 10:00 am EST
(U-WIRE) FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- In a surprise move, Former Dallas Cowboy
coach, NFL commentator, and UofA standout football player Jimmy Johnson
has been hired by the University of Arkansas Athletic Department as
special advisor to the UofA football program. The Friday mid morning
announcement was made in a brief and hastily prepared news conference at
the practice fields.
The decision to hire Johnson has ended a week of rumors associated with
numerous sightings of the former standout football player in the NW
Arkansas area.
It's been four months since the Arkansas Hogs wrapped up their first
losing season under head coach Houston Nutt, and this week they took to
the field for what they hope will be a better 2005, as they kicked off
spring practice with a few new twists with one unmistakable new face in
the crowd.
Yes, Jimmy Johnson is now back in coaching. He has returned to
Arkansas.
Earlier this week, Nutt announced he would be closing spring practice to
the public and the media as onlookers were met with a screen of black
tarp that stretched all the way around the fence surrounding the two
practice fields. Questions as to why the session were closed emerged.
Nutt said the move was to merely block out distractions in an attempt to
get more focus from his players, and said it was in no way an attempt to
alienate fans or hide anything. However, with today's surprise
announcement of the hiring of Johnson, many believe the move played
some part in the decision to close practices.
"We welcome Jimmy back to Arkansas. Jimmy needs no introduction. He
will be assisting our coaching staff, specifically in the area of
individual player development", Nutt said. "It goew without saying that
Jimmy will be a notable and outstanding addition to our program. We
welcome him back to his alma mater".
While the tarp made it difficult to get any visuals, there was one new
voice that couldn't be contained within the tarp's thin barrier. That
belonged to Jimmy Johnson, who made his familiar presence felt
immediately.
"I look forward to assisting Coach Nutt in seeing that Arkansas reaches
that next level in it's football program. It's great to be back. I
intend to live here during the season but will retain my residence in
Florida. Frank Broyles and I have reached a mutual agreement that will
be beneficial to all parties. I look for forward to making a
contribution to this program that has always been a big part of me."
Nutt also took time to praise numerous players in addition to Johnson
including both Snider and Murphy for their effort so far this spring at
their new posts, but was particularly pleased with what he had seen from
Sims on the defensive line.
"Desmond Sims really stood out," Nutt said. "Desmond Sims really played
hard taking to his new position and we're really proud of him."
A larger scrimmage is planned for Saturday. Saturday scrimmages will be
open to the public. With Johnson's hiring, Uof A officials expect the
attendance to be high, on the day after April Fool's Day.