unkoricky
01-16-2007, 08:58 PM
Arkansas quarterback Mitch Mustain, undefeated as a Razorbacks starter after a stellar high school career, has been given permission to transfer to another university, coach Houston Nutt said Tuesday.
The move came one day after offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, Mustain's high school coach, left to become assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator at Tulsa. Mustain and Malzahn joined the Razorbacks a year ago from Springdale High School.
Mustain asked for permission to transfer and Nutt appeared to be holding out hope Mustain might decide to stay with the team even after receiving his release.
"I don't know for sure where we are right now," Nutt said. "Naturally, I don't want him to go. I want him to stay here."
Mustain was the Parade magazine prep player of the year in 2005.
Nutt said he met with Mustain to talk about the freshman's future, but he wouldn't go into detail about what was said.
"I'd rather keep that confidential," Nutt said.
Nutt admitted he doesn't remember many instances of players changing their minds after being released.
Mustain went 8-0 as a starter in 2006, helping Arkansas to a 10-4 season and a No. 15 national ranking.
But Mustain was benched in a November win over South Carolina, and he hardly played again until splitting time with starter Casey d*ck in Arkansas' Capital One Bowl loss to Wisconsin.
Last month, parents of Mustain and two other freshmen met with athletic director Frank Broyles amid concerns that Malzahn didn't have enough control over the offense. One of the freshmen, receiver Damian Williams, has since transferred to Southern California, and now Mustain has asked for his release.
The third freshman was tight end Ben Cleveland. Nutt said Cleveland was in Kansas for a friend's funeral, so his status is unclear.
A recent book about Springdale's 2005 season attributed quotes critical of Nutt to Mustain. According to the book, Mustain questioned the sophistication of Arkansas' offense during the recruiting process. He also made an off-the-cuff comment after Nutt took credit for a play call following an Arkansas win. The quarterback said Arkansas "would have a better chance of getting me" if Nutt were fired.
Arkansas hired Malzahn after the 2005 season, and Mustain eventually signed with the Razorbacks. But Arkansas relied on its running game this year -- tailback Darren McFadden was the Heisman Trophy runner-up -- and the spread, no-huddle offense Malzahn used at Springdale never became a fixture.
The Razorbacks won 10 straight games at one point this season -- but the warm feelings from that stretch have been overshadowed lately. Arkansas lost three straight to end the season, and now Malzahn's abrupt departure has caused more turmoil.
Now, the other shoe has apparently dropped.
Nutt said he only wants players who want to remain at Arkansas.
"I've told all the players, if they want their release, we'll grant their release," Nutt said.
The move came one day after offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, Mustain's high school coach, left to become assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator at Tulsa. Mustain and Malzahn joined the Razorbacks a year ago from Springdale High School.
Mustain asked for permission to transfer and Nutt appeared to be holding out hope Mustain might decide to stay with the team even after receiving his release.
"I don't know for sure where we are right now," Nutt said. "Naturally, I don't want him to go. I want him to stay here."
Mustain was the Parade magazine prep player of the year in 2005.
Nutt said he met with Mustain to talk about the freshman's future, but he wouldn't go into detail about what was said.
"I'd rather keep that confidential," Nutt said.
Nutt admitted he doesn't remember many instances of players changing their minds after being released.
Mustain went 8-0 as a starter in 2006, helping Arkansas to a 10-4 season and a No. 15 national ranking.
But Mustain was benched in a November win over South Carolina, and he hardly played again until splitting time with starter Casey d*ck in Arkansas' Capital One Bowl loss to Wisconsin.
Last month, parents of Mustain and two other freshmen met with athletic director Frank Broyles amid concerns that Malzahn didn't have enough control over the offense. One of the freshmen, receiver Damian Williams, has since transferred to Southern California, and now Mustain has asked for his release.
The third freshman was tight end Ben Cleveland. Nutt said Cleveland was in Kansas for a friend's funeral, so his status is unclear.
A recent book about Springdale's 2005 season attributed quotes critical of Nutt to Mustain. According to the book, Mustain questioned the sophistication of Arkansas' offense during the recruiting process. He also made an off-the-cuff comment after Nutt took credit for a play call following an Arkansas win. The quarterback said Arkansas "would have a better chance of getting me" if Nutt were fired.
Arkansas hired Malzahn after the 2005 season, and Mustain eventually signed with the Razorbacks. But Arkansas relied on its running game this year -- tailback Darren McFadden was the Heisman Trophy runner-up -- and the spread, no-huddle offense Malzahn used at Springdale never became a fixture.
The Razorbacks won 10 straight games at one point this season -- but the warm feelings from that stretch have been overshadowed lately. Arkansas lost three straight to end the season, and now Malzahn's abrupt departure has caused more turmoil.
Now, the other shoe has apparently dropped.
Nutt said he only wants players who want to remain at Arkansas.
"I've told all the players, if they want their release, we'll grant their release," Nutt said.