Former player Mark May Criticizes Arkansas AD’s Admission of Financial Limitations in Coaching Search
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Former Arkansas Razorbacks offensive lineman Mark May publicly criticized Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek for recent comments acknowledging the program’s financial limitations in competing with other Southeastern Conference schools. Speaking at the Little Rock Touchdown club, May urged Arkansas to pursue a “splashy” hire and argued Yurachek’s admission could deter potential candidates.
Yurachek recently stated Arkansas had not yet assembled the necessary resources to compete at the highest level in football, shortly after the firing of head coach Sam Pittman. May called the AD’s statement “crazy,” suggesting it could dissuade coaches and recruits.
“I’m sure they’re good. But they’re young guys with young families and they’re going to have to move their families and they’re going to think twice about getting this job when you see your athletic director saying you can’t monetarily compete with everyone else,” May saeid, according to On3. “You’ve got to be crazy to say that publicly. As, one, the recruits aren’t going to come here. Two, if you’re a good coach worth his salt, you’re probably making as much money as where you are now than coming here. So, why not go ahead and get somebody who wants to be here?”
May emphasized the need for Arkansas to aim high in its coaching search, given the SEC’s status as “the best conference on the planet for college football.” He stated the program should “get the best” to compete for championships.
The Razorbacks finished inside the final College football playoff top 25 once under Pittman. The program’s last 10-win season occurred in 2011, lead by then-head coach Bobby Petrino, who is currently serving as the interim coach.
On3’s Pete Nakos has reported on three names involved in the search, while ESPN’s Pete Thamel recently added Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack as a potential candidate.Thamel indicated a decision from Yurachek is expected in the coming days.
