Arkansas Coach Quits After Loss to The Citadel

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —  Jack Crowe quit Sunday as head football coach at the University of Arkansas, one day after the Division I Razorbacks suffered an embarrassing 10-3 loss to The Citadel, a Division I-AA school.

Defensive coordinator Joe Kines, an assistant coach for 28 years, was named Crowe’s successor.

Crowe, 44, was starting his third year as head coach. He was hired Jan. 22, 1990, after Ken Hatfield left Arkansas for Clemson.

“It is obvious the program is not where we want it to be and not where it should be,” Crowe said. “Razorback fans deserve better than that. I believe it is in the best interests of all concerned that the head coaching responsibility be turned over to someone else.”

Kines, a former linebackers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was credited with dramatically improving a weak defensive unit in 1991, his first year at Arkansas.

Kines earlier had coaching stints at Jacksonville State, Clemson, Florida and Alabama.

“I promise you day to day, one day at a time, that the state of this ship will float in the right direction,” Kines said. “Any changes that are made will be slow and subtle. I don’t think there will be any wholesale jerking around.”

When asked if Crowe was fired, Arkansas Athletic Director Frank Broyles said the decision was mutual.

“Coach Crowe has worked hard to build a program and I believe Razorback fans appreciate his efforts,” Broyles said. “I join our fans in wishing Jack and his family well.”

Arkansas was 3-8 in Crowe’s first year and 6-6 last season during its last trip through the Southwest Conference. The season ended with a 24-15 loss to Georgia in the Independence Bowl.