Julie Cromer Peoples, interim athletic director at the University of Arkansas addresses the media following the dismissal of Bret Bielema. (Video courtesy: KTHV/Little Rock)
FAYETTEVILLE - Interim Athletic Director Julie Cromer Peoples told reporters Friday night that she will be in charge of hiring the new head football coach for the University of Arkansas.
Peoples fired former Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema as he was leaving the football field after the Razorbacks loss to the University of Missouri. She told reporters that the evaluation process continued through the end of today’s game.
In the meantime, Peoples has appointed Defensive Coordinator Paul Rhoads as the interim head football coach until a permanent replacement is named.
“I don’t think we will have a problem finding interest in this job.” Peoples stated.
Peoples told the media that in her position, she has been given full autonomy to make the hire, and she will not use a search committee during the hiring process. She cited twenty years of networking in college football that she says she will lean on in the process, which started shortly after Bielema’s termination.
“I don’t think you need a permanent AD to make an offer. I think you need an AD, and we have one.” Peoples said, referring to her interim position. “I do feel that I have been given the authority to find a football coach at this point.”
Peoples says she will lean on personal advisors to influence her decision, and wants to find an SEC caliber coach who can easily relate to the Razorbacks and to the state of Arkansas. She says a 10:00 AM meeting is planned on Saturday with the current assistants to outline their job status and responsibilities in the interim period.