Like it is: Hill hopes Hogs recruits take message to heart

WALLY HALL
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

LAS VEGAS -- Fitz Hill stood out like a neon sign in a dark room.
He was the one with the brilliant smile.
The one the Razorbacks hadn't seen since he had accepted the head coaching job at San Jose State.
The one who was receiving hugs from all sizes, shapes and colors of players.
Hill has a been a hugely popular coach at Arkansas.
His door is always open to any player, regardless of position, and, quite frankly, his spiritual walk has made a strong impact on many over the years.
Hill's genuine caring for people, combined with his intelligence and patience, have made him a reason for parents to turn their high school kids over to the University of Arkansas.
Which was something that was preying on Hill's mind as he returned a hug to A-Ray (Alvin Ray), Q (Quinton Caver), Z (La'Zerius White) and Brett Shockley.
When the last of the players had filed up the steps for the team meeting, Hill turned and said, "I need some help."
What, did he want an aging sportswriter to accompany him to San Jose?
Or maybe put in a word for him with columnist Mark Purdy, an extremely talented and outspoken columnist in San Jose?
Hill just smiled.
"No," he said, "something much more serious than that.
"I need to get the message out statewide that my leaving doesn't change anything for the Razorbacks.
"If anything, it is only going to get better. What I want every recruit to know, to understand, is I was only as effective as my boss would let me be, and Houston Nutt and most of the staff will still be there.
"The rules don't allow it, but I'd like to put my hand on the shoulders of about 18 guys, look them in the eye and tell them Arkansas really is the place for you. I meant it when I was on staff there, and I mean it now."
So, what's the help?
"I really don't know exactly how to say it," Hill said. "I don't want one single player or recruit to misunderstand that my leaving does not change anything at Arkansas.
"It was a very difficult decision to leave the Razorbacks. As much as I wanted to be a head coach, a part of me wanted to stay part of the Razorback family because there's something very special happening at Arkansas.
"And it has only just begun. I have no doubt the Razorbacks are going to be a top 10 team within two or three years, and I don't mean for one year, but for many to come.
"It is such a special, special place and the family atmosphere is real, but it starts and ends with Houston.
"There is no doubt in my mind I wouldn't be a head coach right now if it were not for him. I've learned so much in the last three years it is just mind-boggling.
"I want to be the same type of head coach as Houston, and that is kind of what I need to say."
Kind of?
Hill laughed easily.
Which is a good thing since he is about to take on a job that will be uphill at best.
Not because you can't win, because the coach who was just fired is coming off a season in which he won seven games and beat Stanford. He was minutes away from upsetting USC.
Obviously, he was not released for his performance on the field.
That, combined with a lack of resources and a tough schedule, makes a mountain out of Hill's challenge.
Of course, he's not backing down an inch.
"I'll admit, I haven't slept much since I took the job," Hill said. "I've laid in bed at night tossing and turning.'
Hill then laughed and said, "But don't worry, starting at this moment, my full attention is on beating UNLV."
Hill, who had just moved into a 3,300-square-foot house that he and his wife had built with an extra large game room so players always had a place to go, had to leave then.
It was time to tuck his three children into bed. But suddenly he stopped, turned and said, "I'm serious, I really need to get that message back. Would you please give some thought to what I need to say?"
Not a problem, Fitz.

This article was published on Monday, December 18, 2000

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