HOOVER, Ala.– New Arkansas coach Bret Bielema’s SEC media days notebook.
- Bielema started by acknowledging that these media days are unlike any other he’s ever experienced.
- Bielema said the players he brought with him have made things very easy.
- Bielema said this year’s GPA is the highest it’s been in years.
- Bielema has good faith in strength and conditioning coach Jeff Long, Long and his director of operations have been “home runs” as hires for the Razorbacks.
- Bielema thinks his players did research on him before he arrived at Arkansas
- Bielema says the strength of his team is in the offensive and defensive lines. He’s looking to build from the center out on both lines of scrimmage.
- Bielema thinks his center, Travis Swanson, is the best in college football.
- Bielema stresses physicality, says during their first spring practice they did a drill his players probably thought would never end. It reinforces the physical style he wants to play with.
- Bielema will rely on the prestige of the conference until he can win a title on his own merits.
- Bielema says there are players that have unique abilities in the SEC compared to other conferences.
- Bielema thinks the hurry up offense is a detriment to player health.
- Bielema would not turn in his former school Wisconsin for a secondary recruiting violation like Urban Meyer did.
- Bielema loves the increased exposure that the SEC offers thanks to its media agreement.
- Bielema says his recruiting plan starts with Arkansas then branches out all across the country.