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Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012
University of Arkansas Student-Run Newspaper Since 1906
Vol. 107, No. 62
Bielema to Arkansas
!"#$%&'(% )*%+#%,-. Kristen Coppola Sports Editor Officials announced Tuesday night that the head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers would assume the position of the Razorback head coach, ending an eight-month coaching search. Bret Bielema led the Badgers to three consecutive appearances at the Rose Bowl including this year against the Stanford Cardinals. The Badgers lost to the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs in 2011 and to the Oregon Ducks in 2012. Bielema will not coach the Badgers Jan. 1, according to an article on SB Nation. Athletic Director Jeff Long single-handedly conducted the coaching search, and though Oklahoma State’s
Mike Gundy and Boise State’s Chris Petersen were rumored to finalists for the position, the 5-year contract was given to Bielema. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to competing for a national championship with a program known for discipline, honesty and integrity,” Long said in the official release. While at Wisconsin, Bielema had a coaching record of 68-24, and the Badgers have qualified for a bowl game each season. Wisconsin has only won two of the bowl games. Bielema has a six-year contract worth $3.2 million annually,” according to reports by The Associated Press. Bielema will be introduced to the media at 4 p.m. today in the Broyles Center.
For a story about student’s reactions to the new coach, see Students Respond to Hire Out of Left Field on Page 7
Homelessness on the Rise
Northwest Arkansas homelessness increased 36 percent in two years, according to the UA most recent homeless census. Full Story, Page 2
Courtesy Photo
Writers Say Arkansas Finds ‘Perfect’ Hire Hunter Hawk Staff Writer The Arkansas Razorbacks officially announced Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema as the new head football coach today. At 2 p.m. yesterday, Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long tweeted, “New Football Coach release at 6:15 PM Today #GoHogs!!!” Bielema has a record of 68-24 in seven seasons at Wisconsin. The Badgers, with Bielema, have made three consecutive Rose Bowl appearances. Arkansas’ hiring of Bielema was originally reported by Yahoo! Sports yesterday afternoon. Bielema served as the defensive coordinator at Wisconsin for two years before being promoted to head coach in 2006. He played college football as a defensive lineman at the University of Iowa under legendary coach Hayden Fry from 1989 to 1992, becoming team captain his senior season. Bielema graduated from Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, said ESPN journalist Joe Schad. Bret Bielema’s seven-year career at Wisconsin was impressive and caught the attention of Jeff Long and the Arkansas Razorbacks. “This is an excellent hire for
Arkansas. Athletic director Jeff Long, who has ridden through a wringer since Bobby Petrino’s ill-fated motorcycle ride on April Fool’s Day, found a person perfectly suited to coach in a place with fantastic monetary resources,” said Sports Illustrated writer, Andy Staples. After a short stint playing for the Milwaukee Mustangs in the Arena Football League, Bielema returned to the University of Iowa and served as an assistant coach from 1993 to 2001. He was the co-defensive coordinator for Kansas State University from 2002 to 2003. He then was hired the same position at the University of Wisconsin–Madison the following year. Then, in 2005, he got his big break as a head coach when Wisconsin’s athletic director, Barry Alvarez, chose Bielema to succeed him as head coach after he announced his retirement from coaching in 2005. Most Fan reactions seem optimistic as some Arkansas fans took to Twitter and other social media outlets to express their feelings on the decision. “Bielema had over sixty wins, seven bowl appearances, six times ranked in the final AP Top 25, three Big Ten titles and three trips to the Rose Bowl. Now he’s a Razorback,” said junior Business Major, Taylor Berry.
Timeline for Arkansas Coaching Search After the Petrino wrecked his motorcycle, Smith wrecked the Razorbacks; now Bielema gets his chance. Full Story, Page 8
New Vice Provost for Research and Economic Development Appointed Bailey Deloney Staff Writer A professor of biological sciences was appointed interim associate vice provost for research and economic development. As part of this new role, Cynthia Sagers will be working with faculty
Stimulate Competitive Research, Rankin said. “EPSCoR is a special program to promote research in states where it is underfunded,” Sagers said. There are 26 states, including Arkansas, and five federal agencies that are involved with this program, Sagers said. As an overall goal, UA is looking to increase
“There is a lot going on even in just that one field.” Cynthia Sagers
Interim Associate Vice Provost to seek proposals for research funds, said Jim Rankin, vice provost for research and economic development. The office of research and economic development serves the research community across campus, not just research in the hard sciences, Sagers said. Sagers will also be working with EPSCoR, the Experimental Program to
federal research grants, Rankin said. Specifically, the university specializes in the research areas of health, nanoscience, energy and environmental science. Results of efforts by this office are already apparent in various fields across campus, Sagers said. In the biological sciences field alone, UA fac-
see SAGERS page 2
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