Nutt: Holtz revered by Arkansans he knows

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Posted 7:25PM on Tuesday, November 4, 2003

LITTLE ROCK - The second-winningest coach in Arkansas history thinks many in the state disparage his name. South Carolina coach Lou Holtz believes Arkansans will have worked themselves into a maniacal state, ready to see him destroyed when he makes his third trip back to the place where he won 60 games in seven seasons. Every trip since he's been the Gamecocks coach has been to Little Rock, where the fans are closer, louder and a big reason why the Razorbacks are 15-0 under coach Houston Nutt at War Memorial Stadium. ``We're there (in Little Rock) because it's a big game for them against me personally,'' said Holtz, who was 22-4 in Little Rock as Arkansas' coach. ``I think they take it personally and I think their players take it personally. And I think it's the hardest place to play.'' Nutt, who played for and was a graduate assistant under Holtz at Arkansas, said he never hears a bad word about Holtz. ``When I visit across the state during the spring, (former Arkansas coach Ken) Hatfield and Holtz are talked about by true, loyal fans at these Razorback Clubs and they have the utmost respect for Lou Holtz,'' Nutt said. ``I don't hear those things. I don't hear the negativity. I don't hear the personal attacks. I hear almost 100 percent positive things when Coach Holtz's name is brought up.'' Arkansas (5-3, 2-3 Southeastern Conference) and South Carolina (5-4, 2-4) both hope to secure their bowl eligibility this week. Holtz lost 48-14 here in 1999 during an 0-11 season and a blocked field goal sealed a 10-7 Razorbacks win in 2001. His only victory over Arkansas came in 2000, when the Gamecocks rebounded from that winless season to start 7-1 and went to their first bowl in six years. Nutt was a sophomore quarterback on Holtz's first Arkansas team in 1977, when they upset No. 2 Oklahoma at the Orange Bowl. However, Nutt transferred to Oklahoma State because he wanted to play more. Nutt said not a lot of coaches would have welcomed back a player like that to be a graduate assistants. ``I have so much respect for him,'' Nutt said. ``He was kind enough after I transferred to play for Jimmy Johnson. I had the opportunity to come back and be a grad assistant. That shows what kind of man he is.'' Holtz is 1-3 against the school he took to six straight bowls. Hatfield matched Holtz's record with six straight bowls and Nutt would secure his sixth straight bowl bid with a win over South Carolina. Nutt, who is 44-26 in his sixth year at Arkansas, said the school tries to schedule a marquee conference game in Little Rock, where the Razorbacks play twice a year. Since joining the SEC, LSU has been at War Memorial for every home game except in 1992. Arkansas' history of playing South Carolina in Little Rock, where fans grow lively at tailgate parties, started two years before Holtz became coach in 1999. Fans tailgate at Fayetteville games, but they can't have alcohol on school grounds. Of course, with Holtz coaching the Gamecocks, it made sense to keep the Gamecocks coming back to Little Rock. ``One of the biggest games is always South Carolina, with Lou Holtz and our relationship,'' Nutt said. ``It seems a little bigger to our Little Rock people because he's a former coach.'' Holtz hasn't been back to Fayetteville since he left in 1983. Many assume there's still a rift between he and athletic director Frank Broyles, who fired him. However, Nutt said an invitation would be in the mail tomorrow if or when Holtz ever retires from coaching. ``I believe if I walked into coach Broyles' office today and asked could we have coach Holtz back, I know for a fact coach Broyles would definitely say yes,'' Nutt said. ``He's definitely going to get an invite to come back to Fayetteville, no question.'' But as long as Holtz is coaching South Carolina, Little Rock will have to do.