Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

News and notes from Arkansas football media availability on Thursday:

I. Buddy System
Nick Holt has been in coaching nearly 30 years. He’s getting a year’s salary from Washington after being replaced as defensive coordinator.

So why take an administrative position with the Arkansas football staff making $55,735? Simple. Holt, whose buyout was $650,004, wanted to help out Coach John L. Smith, a long-time friend and mentor.

“More than anything, I wanted to see him successful," Holt said Thursday. "I took it to help out a good buddy that’s been great to me throughout my 25 years of coaching and I felt, quite honestly, obligated to help him out.”

There is no question that Holt is more than qualified for the position. He’s run defenses at Southern Cal, Washington and worked for Smith at Idaho and Louisville.

Holt will handle on-campus recruiting visits and eligibility and academic issues for the Razorbacks. If asked (and why wouldn’t he be?) Holt said he will offer input on what he sees during practice.

And Holt has seen plenty of Razorback practice. He’s been a fixture on the sidelines since preseason camp began and likes what he has seen from Arkansas.

“I think we have a chance to be a real good football team,” Holt said. “Obviously I think our offense is really good. I think the skill is really good. I think defense is coming around. I think when it’s all said and done we’ll be a good football team.”

II. Doing Cardio
Linebackers Tenarius Wright and Alonzo Highsmith have been limited in preseason camp by injury. They’ve missed entire practices (Wright was out for undisclosed reasons Thursday) and on some days done drill work, but no team work.

How is that impacting conditioning? Could the two struggle to return to game shape?

Linebackers coach Taver Johnson isn’t worried about that. Often when the two wrap up select parts of practice, they’re off to the weight room with strength coach Jason Veltkamp.

“Once they get the pads on and get back out there, they’ll be able to get back into playing shape for sure,” Johnson said. “Just from a cardiovascular standpoint, I think they’ll be OK.”