Arkansas receives 'A' on BCA report card

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas earned an "A" from the Black Coaches and Administrators (BCA) in the annual BCA Football Hiring Report Card for its recent head coaching search.

Arkansas was assigned the overall grade by the BCA based on its inclusive search and interviewing process. A total of 31 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) schools were evaluated and graded based on five categories including communication, search committee, final candidates, time frame and affirmative action for searches conducted in the 2007-08 hiring season.

"We are pleased that the University of Arkansas has been recognized with the highest grade for our efforts to conduct an inclusive search," Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. "Our goal was to hire the best coach for the University of Arkansas and in order to do so it was essential that we had a diverse pool of candidates. We support the efforts of the BCA and its executive director, Floyd Keith, to increase the number of minority coaches in our candidate pools and the BCA’s assistance and input during our process. The University of Arkansas is committed to seeking diversity among its candidates for all employment opportunities in the department of intercollegiate athletics."

The BCA annually publishes a review of FBS and FCS institutions that have hired football coaches in the past year. This year’s report marked the fifth hiring report card issued by the organization, formerly known as the Black Coaches Association.