Arkansas Football: What does firing of AD mean for Bret Bielema?

Could Arkansas football finally be ready to part ways with Bret Bielema after the firing of athletic director Jeff Long?

Bret Bielema lost a long-time supporter on Wednesday, as the school fired athletic director Jeff Long.

Long was the one who brought Bielema from Wisconsin to Arkansas back in 2012 with hopes of turning the Razorbacks into SEC and national title contenders.

That hasn’t worked out, as Arkansas is just 4-6 this season and three games under .500 with Bielema at the controls.

Off-the-field issues have also constantly clouded the program, including a recent arrest of starting quarterback Cole Kelley, who was charged with DWI just hours after a loss last week to LSU.

Long, who was the first chair of the College Football Playoff selection committee, remains a member of that crew. His contract with Arkansas was set to expire in June.

Bielema, who is signed through 2020, would be owed just under $6 million if he is removed from his position with the school, according to a report.

Long hired Bielema after he won three consecutive Big Ten Championships to replace the fired Bobby Petrino.

Arkansas will try to get to six wins at home, as they host both Mississippi State and Missouri over the final two weeks of the season. The Razorbacks had won two straight over Mississippi and Coastal Carolina before the loss to LSU.

Earlier this year, they dropped three in a row to South Carolina, Alabama and Auburn, including surrendering 93 points to the Crimson Tide and Tigers.

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An official announcement from Arkansas is expected on Wednesday.