Former Razorback player Dave Van Horn was named the new head coach for the Arkansas baseball program Athletic Director Frank Broyles announced Friday afternoon.
	Van Horn rejoins the Razorback program after spending the past five seasons as the head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Van Horn compiled a 214-92 (.699) record at Nebraska and guided the Huskers to the 2001 and 2002 NCAA College World Series.  "We are extremely excited to have Dave Van Horn as our new baseball coach," Broyles said. "He has already proven to be one of the nation's best coaches as evidenced by his record and impressive list of accomplishments. As a former Razorback, he embodies everything we are looking for in a coach to carry on the rich tradition of Arkansas baseball."
Van Horn becomes the 11th head coach of the Razorback baseball program since 1908 and replaces Norm DeBriyn who stepped down on June 10, after 33 years as head coach at Arkansas.

Van Horn inherits a team that is coming off 35-28 season and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional. The Razorbacks were within one game of advancing to the program's fifth NCAA College World Series before losing the final two games of the regional to the Clemson Tigers. The Razorbacks will return 20 letterwinners from the 2002 squad including five freshmen.

A two-time ABCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year, Van Horn served as a graduate assistant coach with the Razorbacks from 1985-88. Arkansas amassed a 184-71-1 record in that four-year span and advanced to the NCAA College World Series in 1985 and 1987. 

Van Horn also enjoyed a successful playing career with the Razorbacks. While at Arkansas, he was an All-Southwest Conference infielder in 1982, earning team most valuable player honors and SWC Newcomer-of-the-Year honors in his only season in a Razorback uniform. Following his junior season, he was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 10th round of the 1982 draft, and spent the next three seasons in the Braves organization. 

Van Horn and his wife Karen have two daughters, Hollan (8) and Mariel (4). 
 

Dave Van Horn Quick Facts

Alma Mater
Arkansas, 1988

Head Coaching Experience
Nebraska, 1998-present
Northwestern State, 1995-97
Central Missouri State, 1994
Texarkana CC, 1989-93

Asst. Coaching Experience
Arkansas, 1985-88

Playing Experience
Atlanta Braves organization, 1982-84
Arkansas, 1982
McLennan CC, 1980-81

Awards & Honors
• Baseball America National Coach of the Year, 2001
• College World Series appearance as head coach at Nebraska, 2001
• Big 12 Coach of the Year, 2001
• Big 12 Regular-Season and Tournament Champions, 2001
• ABCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year, 2000, 2001
• Three straight NCAA tournament appearances (1999, 2000, 2001)
• Southland Coach of the Year, 1995, 1997
• Southland Conference Champions, 1995, 1997
• Division II National Championship, 1994
• NCAA Division II Coach of the Year, 1994
• ABCA Central Region Coach of the Year, 1994
• NJCAA Texas Eastern Conference Champs, 1992
• College World Series appearances as a graduate assistant coach at Arkansas, 1985, 1987
• 10th-round selection of the Atlanta Braves, 1982

Personal Information
Date of Birth: Sept. 17, 1960
Wife: Karen
Children: Hollan (8), Mariel (4)

List of Accomplishments at Nebraska Under Dave Van Horn
*- One Big 12 regular-season title (2001), NU’s first regular-season conference title in baseball since 1950
*- Two straight College World Series appearances (2001 and 2002)
*- Three straight NCAA Regional titles (2000, 2001 and 2002)
*- Three straight NCAA Super Regional appearances (2000, 2001 and 2002)
*- Four straight NCAA Regional appearances (1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002)
*- 29 Academic All-Big 12 selections, including 20 first-team honorees
*- 24 players who were drafted or signed as free agents
*- Ranked in at least one of the national polls for the past 47 weeks, dating back to April of 2000
*- Earned the No. 1 ranking by Baseball America on two occasions (4/23/01 and 5/7/01)
*- Baseball America’s National Coach of the Year (2001)
*- ABCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year (2000 and 2001)
*- Big 12 Coach of the Year (2001)

*- Six Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, including three first-team selections
1998 – Matt Schuldt (2nd team)
1999 – Eric Mumm (1st team)
2001 – John Cole (1st team) and Jeff Leise (2nd team)
2002 – Jeff Leise (1st team) and Shane Komine (2nd team)

*- Seven All-Americans totaling eight certificates
1999 – Ken Harvey (1B)
2000 – Shane Komine (P)
2001 – Shane Komine (P), Dan Johnson (1B), John Cole (OF) and Matt Hopper (DH)
2002 – Jed Morris (C) and Jeff Leise (OF)

*- National Player of the Year Finalist in each of the past four seasons
1999 – Ken Harvey (Smith Award Finalist)
2000 – Shane Komine (Dick Howser Award Finalist)
2000 – Justin Cowan (Johnny Bench Catcher Award Finalist)
2001 – Dan Johnson (Dick Howser Award Finalist)
2002 – Jed Morris (ABCA National Player of the Year Finalist)

*- 13 First-Team All-Big 12 selections
1999 – Ken Harvey (1B)
2000 – Justin Cowan (C), Dan Johnson (1B), Matt Hopper (DH), Shane Komine (SP)
2001 – John Cole (OF), Dan Johnson (1B), Matt Hopper (DH), Shane Komine (SP), Thom Ott (RP)
2002 – Jed Morris (C), Jeff Leise (OF), Aaron Marsden (SP)

*- Attendance has jumped nearly 700 percent, including the top two totals in school history
Year - Avg. Attendance (NCAA rank) 
1998 – 597 
1999 – 953
2000 – 1,173
2001 – 2,707
2002 – 4,110

HAND DELIVERY AND FACSIMILE

Mr. Nolan Richardson, Jr.
c/o Mr. John Walker, P.A.
Attorney At Law
1723 Broadway
Little Rock, Arkansas 72206

Dear Coach Richardson:

I am writing to advise you of my decision based on the review I have conducted of the termination of your employment agreement with the University of Arkansas. This termination action was taken by Chancellor John White on March 1, 2002 after prior consultation with Athletic Director Frank Broyles and me.

As you are aware, your contract is unique in providing the responsibilities I have in the event of termination of your employment for the convenience of the University. In the contract negotiations, your agent, your attorney, and you required that prior to termination of your contract, I was to be consulted by the Chancellor and that, at your request, I would review this action and make a final decision.

Although you and your attorney, Mr. John Walker, questioned whether I would be able to conduct a fair review, you also indicated that you have confidence in my basic sense of fairness. As this review has progressed, I hope that this has been evident.

You and I had the opportunity to meet together for over three hours with our respective attorneys present. Prior to our meeting, you and your attorneys were able to review numerous documents from University files and to interview persons whom you believed might have information relevant to the review. About an hour of our meeting was taken by Mr. Walker going over materials and asserting your position and reasoning.

Since our meeting on Monday, I have followed up on issues that you raised. I have talked by telephone with Roy Kramer; Charles Bloom; Dwayne Peevy; John Guthrie, head of SEC officials; Mike Nail; Paul Eells; Fred Vorsanger; Ray Green; and in person with Katie Hill. I have had lengthy personal conversations with John White and Frank Broyles. I have reviewed your comments which were made following the Kentucky game and have viewed videotapes of these and other comments. I have conducted an extensive review of all the material which you provided me.

The University General Counsel’s office has interviewed numerous individuals and at my request has compiled facts relevant to the specific issues you have raised. I have also been advised of interviews which legal counsel have conducted. Enclosed is a copy of a memorandum provided to me by the General Counsel. I have also been advised of the nature of the legal issues you have raised.

Based on my review, I am firmly convinced that the termination of your Employment Agreement by John White in consultation with Frank Broyles was legal and fair. I find no evidence of discriminatory conduct or motive in the making of this decision by John White and Frank Broyles

I believe that the reasons which Mr. Harrison gave Mr. Walker in his March 5, 2002 letter are the reasons that the decision was made to terminate your employment agreement. These reasons are:

"On Sunday, February 24, 2002, Chancellor White and Coach Broyles discussed Coach Richardson’s published comments following the Kentucky game. Chancellor White had also become aware earlier that day of private comments made by Coach Richardson on February 22 to the same effect. Chancellor White and Coach Broyles concluded that the comments by Coach Richardson indicating that he could be bought out of his contract immediately indicated a lack of his confidence in the basketball program and leadership for it. They also believed these comments to have a negative impact on fan support and other aspects of the program. Likewise it undermined their confidence in Coach Richardson’s leadership for the future.

As Coach Richardson was aware, the provisions of the Employment Agreement regarding termination at will and the applicable guaranty of the Razorback Foundation had been a focal point of negotiations two years earlier. Coach Richardson’s recent public and private comments clearly indicated that he wanted out of the Employment Agreement. This was further substantiated by his published comments on Monday, February 25, 2002 during which Coach Richardson, with deliberation, restated that when Coach Broyles, Dr. White and Dr. Sugg decide that "it’s enough, then that’s when they can pay me off and I’ll be on my way." In the same remarks, Coach Richardson stated that he would not answer to the media, the fans nor anybody else. These remarks were widely publicized and supported the decision which Chancellor White had reached on the previous evening after consultation with Coach Broyles and Dr. Sugg."

Your public remarks on February 23, 2002 following the Kentucky game had a damaging impact on the basketball program and your leadership of it. Your privately making similar remarks on February 22, 2002, in the company of Fred Vorsanger and Mike Nail supports my conclusion that your public remarks were not spontaneous, but were made after thought and deliberation.

I believe that these are legitimate reasons for the termination of your contract and are the reasons Chancellor White communicated to me following his meeting with Coach Broyles. The damage of these remarks was compounded by your similar comments on February 25, 2002. Therefore, I am upholding the decision of Chancellor White to terminate your employment as the head coach of the Razorback basketball program at the University of Arkansas.

This has not been an easy decision for me because of my personal and professional respect for you.

I wish the best for you and Rose.

Yours Truly,

B. Alan Sugg

I firmly believe our next coach should be Mike Anderson.  Regardless of how you feel about Nolan and his comments, Mike can continue the Razorback Tradition of "40 Minutes of Hell". They won't admit it but I bet all the other teams in the SEC hope Mike doesn't get the job. I bet they hope we hire a coach who runs a half court offense and defense.  Arkansas would be a lot easier to prepare for in that case. 

I think it has been well documented that the problem with the Hog's this year was their tough schedule and lack of an inside game.  Well, we have much better players coming in next year (Wally Hall doesn't know everything).  With these players, who I'm sure will all come to Arkansas if Mike gets the job and the players coming back who certainly will play better under a style of ball they're used to, we should be much better next year and possibly great in two years. 

With a new coach, it could take three years or more to have a winning season.  Let's not throw away what Nolan built at Arkansas.  If Nolan can't be the coach, let's give Mike Anderson a chance.  I feel he, the fan's, and players deserve that chance!

It is official. Nolan Richardson's contract has been bought by the University of Arkansas. The press conference scheduled at Bud Walton Area earlier today was cancelled. Instead, the University issued this statement.

UA Sports Information- Friday, March 01, 2002 ---Fayetteville, Ark. 
--The University of Arkansas today exercised the terms of its contract with men's baseketball coach Nolan Richardson, concluding his employment with the University, effective immediately.

This action was taken after Richardson expressed his desire, publicly and privately, for the University to buy out his contract and after offering him an opportunity to retire.

Under previously agreed to terms, Richardson could receive $500,000 a year during the next six years, a sum totalling $3 million.

"We are grateful to coach Richardson for his many contributions to the program over his tenure," men's Athletic Director Frank Broyles said. "We believe it is time for a change in leadership for the best interst of the basketball program."

"The search for a new head coach will begin as soon as it is appropraite," Broyles added. "At that time, we will make every effort to hire the best candidate to lead what I believe is one of the premier programs in college basketball."

Assistant head coach Mike Anderson will serve as interim head coach, effective immediately.

UA Chancellor John A. White said, "I have been a friend and admirer of coach Richardson, so this is a difficult decision for the University. He has made many valubale contributions to the University of Arkansas and has provided exemplary service to so many causes and charities throughout the state. His legacy will last forever, but it is now time to look to the future."
 

Reliable sources inform us that Nolan will not be the Head Coach at Arkansas. A press conference has been scheduled by University officials for 5:00pm today but the details of the negotiations have not be released yet. 

Like I said before, if Nolan still wants to coach I want him to do it at Arkansas. If not, it's time to go. This will get worse before it gets better. We will all miss him.

With that said, who are the leading candidates for Head Coach? 

Nolan certainly has issues concerning him these days. This season has produced the worst record since Nolan's first year at Arkansas.  Fans here are used to winning and haven't  taken a 13-13 year lightly, but was this uproar created by the fans? Nolan commented Saturday about his disapproval with, not only the media, but with the way he hasn't gotten a fair shake at Arkansas. I know by reading his articles that Wally Hall normally doesn't cut Nolan any slack. So, Nolan's uproar was created by the media? 

Is it possible that Nolan's bright star has dimmed or even burned out? Personally, I don't think Nolan has truly coached for the past 4 years. I remember watching Nolan pace the sidelines during action packed games but that hasn't consistently happened in years.  Nolan's racial comments could be a by product of a stressful season and then again we've heard those comments for 17 years.  Over the past 4 years Nolan has shifted a lot of the coaching duties to long time assistant Mike Anderson. A good friend of mine reminded me that Anderson has been a candidate for head coaching jobs across the college world but has yet to be picked. Do these schools know more about Anderson (or Nolan)  than we have allowed ourselves to believe? 

There are many reasons why Nolan should stay at Arkansas but tradition is not one of them. Schools cannot grandfather a coaching staff simply because of a National Championship and a handful of Final Four appearances. Coaches must continue to do their best every single year and accept the responsibility when the result is less than satisfactory.  The proof's in the puddin' year in and year out. 

There are those that say Nolan should leave the U of A. I say race shouldn't have anything to do with this decision. Can anyone tell me why race has anything to do with this problem? I'm a firm believer that racial quotas are in effect racist and don't do anything but increase tension. A school should always hire the best man for the job, period. The same goes for those who say Nolan won't recruit white players. If a coach recruits the best players to build a strong team and contend for a Conference or National title then he has done his job well regardless of skin color.

If Nolan still wants to coach I think he should do it at Arkansas but based on his comments last night I personally don't think he's got the heart for it any longer.