Arkansas Football: 5 reasons Chad Morris can turn Razorbacks around

3. Players want to play for him

Generally, when anyone was talking about Bret Bielema, someone would always mention that his great sense of humor and wit would make you want to share an adult beverage. When speaking of Chad Morris, it gets mentioned numerous times that he is personable and when he’s talking to you, you can tell them he is actually in the moment with you and genuinely cares.

The first team meeting on the campus of Arkansas happened just hours after a tearful Morris said goodbye to his former players at SMU, and then boarded a plane to Fayetteville to address his new team.

Upon walking into the meeting room to introduce himself to his players, Morris started things off by instructing them to sit up straight, put their feet on the floor and put down their drinks. He then looked at them with an accessing glance and announced, “It’s an honor and a privilege to stand in front of you.”

Coach Morris outlined what he wanted for his players, including graduating, spiritual and social growth. Do more. Be more. Care more. He then promised them that he was going to give them his best everyday, and challenged them to “lock arms with me”.

Degree in Mathematics/Statistics from Texas A&M

Here’s a bonus reason: In many instances Morris has mentioned his degree in mathematics and how it allows him to think outside the box. He knows that as an SEC coach he is going to need to be creative when it comes to the Razorback offense.

“You have to run the ball in this league. There are a lot of different ways to run the ball.”

Furthering his point on being a numbers guy he boldly explained the difference between spenders and investors. “Spenders are wasters, they want something for free. There is no room in this program for spenders.”