LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Plenty of Hog fans sounded off about their new coach.
THV 11 News spent the evening at Fox & Hound in North Little Rock where there was definitely some surprise from fans since Brett Bielema was not a name thrown around lately for a new coach, but most everyone still seemed happy with this new pick.
"I think Jeff Long hit a home run for Arkansas," said John Kilcrease, referring to Arkansas' Athletic Director.
John Kilcrease was part of the crowd at Fox & Hound Tuesday evening, reacting to Arkansas' new head football coach, Brett Bielema from the University of Wisconsin.
"He's got a great resume. Been there seven years; 68 and 24 is what I hear, seven bowl appearances, probably the best resume we've had in years," Kilcrease said.
A few stools down from Kilcrease was Linda Harris, who was also seeing promise in this new hire.
"Hopefully he will bring some stability, some spirit to everyone, just excitement because I know it's been a really rough, rough season," Harris said, but she has just one question for the new coach. "I would like to know how to pronounce his name, everybody has that question."
We couldn't leave without talking to the bartender, Stephen Butler, who's had his finger on crowd's pulse all day.
"Everybody has been pretty upbeat about it. We're all excited. We're ready to start something new," Butler said.
It's a new chapter for fans that were getting more than their "basketball fill" Tuesday night at Fox & Hound since they were thinking about this "Badger" turning into Razorback on the football field.
"Go Hogs!" Harris exclaimed.
"Razorback Nation is behind you! Go Hogs, go!" Kilcrease belted out.
"I would shake his hand, and say congratulations, and I know it's going to take a little time, but that's what college football is all about," Butler said.
Fans said it might take some time for Bielema to get used to SEC play versus the Big 10.
The bartender said that he hopes the new coach keeps some of the existing staff to get over the learning curve, but that's all up in the air right now.