From the Bench - Mike Anderson Coming Home

Coming Home Robert Shields You know I’m a dreamerBut my heart’s of goldI had to run away highSo I wouldn’t come home low Whether it’s “Home Sweet Home” by Motley Crue, “Coming Home” by Diddy-Dirty Money, or whatever theme song you want to use, the music may be different but the message for Razorback basketball fans is the same: Mike Anderson is returning to Fayetteville after a long nine years of the Razorback basketball program being lost in the desert. It’s the story of the Prodigal Son in reverse. In this story, it was not the son gone astray but the father. The hiring of Mike Anderson was more than just the hiring of a new coach. It is about making things right again after the program was shattered with the Nolan Richardson firing in 2002. Whether Anderson succeeds is still unknown as hiring any new coach was a gamble. But what is known is that it is a step up from the previous nine years of Stan Heath, Dana Altman, and John Pelphrey. You’re getting a known quantity who has proven himself at two programs as a head coach. The fans have missed the fast-paced brand of basketball with high-risk defense made popular for 17 years under Nolan. The fans know and loved it. It is our brand of basketball that we exported to the SEC and beyond. Anderson, though, will not be Nolan. Every Jedi does not turn out to be a clone of his master. Anderson will be his own coach. He had success at UAB and then took over a beleaguered Missouri team and returned them to relevance by doing it his own way. Mike Anderson was the right hire. Despite everything that occurred here with the firing of his mentor, he loves Arkansas and Hog fans love him. In the end, maybe what transpired for Arkansas was the best thing possible other than enduring nine years of bad basketball. Even iron has to go through a blast furnace of hell to come out as steel on the other side. If Anderson would have been hired right after Nolan was fired, it probably would not have worked. Anderson also would have had to face the same thing Stan Heath did in trying to recruit while some among the hierarchy of the University were embroiled in a racial discrimination suit. Although, the case could be made that Nolan probably would not have filed that suit had the UA hired Anderson. Anderson also would have been facing an administration that probably would have been very hostile toward him. Instead, he went away earned his stripes in the NCAA tournament at two schools. He is a better coach now than when he left. He is now steel and Arkansas gets to reap that benefit. He is also employed by a totally different administration. The fact the Missouri media went negative on Anderson tells you a lot. They miss him like a jilted lover. They wanted to keep him. All the Missouri complaining means you got a good coach they wanted to keep. You get heat when others want to keep you. For example, I don’t remember a whole lot of vitriol coming from Kent State. The Anderson era started off right with 5,000 fans showing up for his introduction at Bud Walton Arena. You know it’s a great start when the new coach’s press conference tops the attendance of some games this season. When the local channels all televise the event live, you know it was a big deal. Most importantly, the all-important introductory Hog Call was second nature to Anderson. I give Anderson a 9. For a reference point, on that dame scale Dana Altman scored a zero. If you’re one of the people who are disappointed in this hire, you’re either a Nolan hater that can’t let it go, lack the institutional knowledge to know this was the right hire, or both. It’s time to move on and welcome your new coach. He can only win with your support. Like the motto says for the Rocket 5K (coming up on April 16 so register at rocketalumni.com/race) – yeah it’s tough, get over it. Anderson’s first test though will come quickly as he has to reassemble the great recruiting class put together by Pelphrey. Some rank the class as No. 3 in the nation. I have little doubt he will do fine and will get most of the five to keep their commitment. He also has the task of convincing those who are left that he wants to stay to remain on the roster. The last is not as pressing as the first. Welcome home, Coach Anderson. I’m on my wayJust set me free Home Sweet Home Send your favorite Motley Crue lyrics to fromthebench@yahoo.com. end