Memphis should gauge interest of Houston Nutt

Former Arkansas, recently fired Ole Miss coach would be good fit

While the University of Memphis football program has managed just five wins in the last three seasons, one doesn’t have to delve very far into the program’s past to realize its potential.

From 2003 to 2008, the Tigers earned five bowl berths and won seven or more games on four occasions. They also finished tied for second in Conference USA’s East Division four times during that span.

While few Tiger fans have passed through the turnstiles at the Liberty Bowl Stadium the last few seasons, there was a time—2003 to 2005 when the program produced 24 wins—where crowds of 40,000 were the norm. During the 8-4 season of 2004, Memphis averaged 41,175 for its five home games. No, the schedule didn’t feature a home game with nearby SEC foes Ole Miss, Mississippi State, or Tennessee that could have distorted those numbers. The slate did feature a Thursday night ESPN showdown with No. 14 Louisville that drew 52,384, but the other games were FCS foe Chattanooga and CUSA foes Tulane, Houston and Southern Miss and were well attended. The game with the lower-division Mocs drew 38,133.

There have been wins over programs such as Southern Cal, Tennessee, and Ole Miss in the last two decades.

However, while the program has certainly tasted some success, it seems capable of much more.

When Tommy West was terminated, he implored Tiger fans to demand that the administration give his successor a fighting chance. While it isn’t uncommon to hear someone make such comments under those extreme circumstances, West seemed to speak them from the heart rather than out of bitterness.

Shortly after his dismissal, a regulation 120-yard field turf practice field was installed. A 12,000-square foot, football-only weight facility with a price tag of $3 million is currently in the works.

While Nutt’s Rebel teams were just a combined 6-18—including 1-15—in the SEC the last two seasons, the veteran is a proven commodity and a couple of down years in the toughest division of college football’s toughest conference should not tarnish his appeal.

Nutt has compiled a career mark of 135-95 in 19 seasons while making stops at Murray State, Boise State, Arkansas, and Ole Miss. During his ten seasons in Fayetteville, he led the Razorbacks to eight bowls and six campaigns of eight or more victories while en route to becoming the program’s second-winningest coach behind legendary Frank Broyles.

Also, it wasn’t all bad in Oxford, as he posted 9-4 marks in his first two seasons at the helm of the Ole Miss program.

As an assistant, Nutt worked under legendary coaches such as Jimmy Johnson and Lou Holtz while at his alma mater at Oklahoma State as well as Arkansas. While with the Cowboys, he coached legends Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas.

Memphis likely wouldn’t be able to match the $2.5 million that Nutt was receiving annually at Ole Miss. However, they paid first-time head coach Larry Porter approximately $750,000 so it doesn’t seem unfathomable that athletic director R.C. Johnson—who announced his retirement today—could find the funds to construct a more lucrative deal for a proven veteran such as Nutt.

With the former Arkansas and Oklahoma State quarterback’s head coaching success, recruiting ties to the region, and vibrant personality, it would not make sense if Johnson didn’t at least explore the option and see if the interest may be reciprocal.