Broyles Supports Coaches On Reform

FAYETTEVILLE – Southeastern Conference coaches and athletic directors took part in the conference’s annual spring meetings in Destin, Fla., last week.

Football-wise, the week was highlighted by the debut of three new coaches (Florida’s Urban Meyer, LSU’s Les Miles and Ole Miss’ Ed Orgeron), the return of one very familiar face (former Florida and new South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier) and discussions about several topics from the past few months (instant replay, academic reforms and 12-game seasons).

In addition, SEC commissioner Mike Slive announced Friday that the 12 SEC schools will split $110.7 million in the revenue sharing plan for the 2004-05 fiscal year. That amount is the highest ever distributed by the SEC, eclipsing last year’s total of $108.8 million.

Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles said it was a productive week even though the 2005 meetings didn’t produce big news. Broyles said the athletic directors’ longest meeting was with the football coaches, who voiced their concerns on a number of topics, including the NCAA’s new academic standards.

“The AD’s understood where they were coming from,” Broyles said. “I know I support them on it. I think it’s wrong for the academic people to put more on an athlete than the average student in his university has.

“I disagree with it entirely. But a lot of people would say I’m from the old school.”



Caston Back Home

Former Arkansas fullback Marvin Caston was back in familiar territory when he began his new post as the university’s director of compliance Wednesday.

Caston, who played for the Razorbacks from 1996-99, was hired in April after a two-year stint as a compliance assistant and coordinator at South Florida. Before that, he worked in Arkansas’ business and compliance offices as a graduate assistant.

“My family and I, we’re grateful to the university and the athletic department for giving us this opportunity,” Caston said. “We’re glad to be back in Northwest Arkansas and Fayetteville, and we’re just excited.”

Caston, a Winnsboro, La., native, earned his bachelor’s degree in social work in 1999 and was a member of the SEC’s Academic Honor Roll his senior season. He also earned his master’s degree in adult education in 2002.

“It’s great to be back home,” Caston said. “This has always been home to me. So it’s good to be back in Razorback country.”



On Schedule

Georgia filled out its 12-game schedule in 2006 when it agreed to a home-and-home series with Colorado and a date with Alabama-Birmingham.

The Bulldogs will play the Buffalos in Athens on Sept. 23, 2006, and travel to Colorado for a road game in 2010. Colorado will get $725,000 for the trip in 2006 and Georgia will get $825,000 -- a number adjusted for inflation -- in 2010.

Arkansas still is working on cementing a 12th game for its 2006 schedule. Broyles said the Hogs are looking for home games to cover the next few years.

“We’re getting close,” Broyles said. “Some of the (SEC) teams will play a home-and-away game. But with Southern Cal (2005, 2006) and TCU (2008, 2009) home-and-away, we’re going to keep ours at home.”