Razorbacks Name Crowe New Head Football Coach

Jack Crowe, offensive coordinator at Arkansas for less than a year, was named the Razorbacks’ football coach today, one day after Ken Hatfield resigned to take the job at Clemson.

The 41-year-old Crowe, the school’s 26th head coach, was introduced at a news conference by Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles.

Ironically, Crowe came to Arkansas from Clemson, where he was quarterback coach and offensive coordinator under Danny Ford. Last Thursday, Ford resigned less than two weeks after an NCAA investigation turned up 14 alleged rules violations.

Crowe was named in some of the allegations, but Broyles said last week he had reviewed the charges and believed there was no wrongdoing by Crowe.

“The time I’ve spent here in one year has brought a lot of things together for me,” said Crowe, who was hired by Hatfield in February, 1989. “I’ve prepared myself for it.”

Crowe said the current coaching staff will be offered an opportunity to remain at Arkansas, while Hatfield said any assistant wanting to join him at Clemson is welcome.

Before his three seasons at Clemson, where he was Ford’s offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, Crowe served the same role at Auburn from 1982-85. He also was offensive coordinator at Wyoming in 1981 and at North Alabama in 1979-80.

His only head coaching experience was at Livingston in 1977-78.

At Clemson, the departure of Ford has stirred a furor among fans. Authorities said today that Clemson Athletic Director Bobby Robinson is under 24-hour guard after receiving death threats following the resignation of Ford.

The State Law Enforcement Division, Clemson campus police and Clemson city police have been guarding Robinson since Saturday, spokesman Hugh Munn said. The agency became involved at Clemson’s request.

Players and fans held protests and candlelight vigils following Ford’s resignation, calling for his reinstatement and the firing of Robinson and Clemson president Max Lennon.