Arkansas Pete

The reports from Arkansas about Coach Pete becoming the next Hogs coach by Tuesday are being generated by Hog Country . I dismissed the report for the usual reasons. SEC pressure, not a west coast job, booster expectations, etc.  I first saw the story late Saturday night but was aware of the rumor last week sometime.
THIS is what I know about THAT:
Coach Pete dismissed all coaching rumors as 99.9% wrong at his Monday presser. He also wouldn't answer a question about interest in other jobs after the Nevada win.  I asked Boise St AD Mark Coyle on KBOI's Bronco GAME DAY  if he has asked Coach Pete if he is happy and when his annual meeting was. He avoided the question and NEVER came out and said he was staying , not listening to other schools, or that Pete's agent wasn't talking to them. I have had conversations with a school source who claimed that Pete is not leaving til his kids graduate high school and then it will probably only be for Oregon or Stanford.  Boosters claim that Pete is number #1 on Arkansas list, the contract is$ 4-5 million per year and that he is in play for the job and his representatives are listening to Arkansas and he has 2 days to think it over.  Another line of thinking is that Pete is not happy with the Big Least changes , that it compromises his program and isn't excited about all that plane travel and work hours for 12 weeks a year. Some question whether Kustra is putting the Big East deal together to preserve his legacy and serve his ego as well. Pete has also figured out that you  can be 10-2 and not be appreciated. He feels the fans are frustrated and not remembering all the coaches  he has lost and players who have joined the NFL. If it can happen here you may as well go elsewhere and feel it too. He also may be feeling the pressure to move his staff in tact for a big pay day rather then see them leave one by one and have to replace them each year. He also may not have the energy to get back to BCS bowls from the Big East and answer the same questions over and over. I have been reminded the quality of life is high in Fayetteville and Pete may like it in part because the housing is cheap. That's what I have HEARD.

Here is what I THINK:

I can understand Pete not commenting on jobs publicly.That seems in line with how he handled the Stanford position. But, he did have to put out a statement that he wasn't interested in Mississippi State because he had a friend as AD there.  The noise around his job status has quieted down from a national perspective because they have been wrong so many times. He has em where he wants them now. He can do what he wants without scrutiny. I do think if Coyle knew the story was false he could get approval from Pete to be the mouthpiece and shut it down. I think it helps. Pete's oldest son goes off to college in Fall of 2013 so I think he could move easily enough in case it is true  his mind has changed. Stanfords' job isn't open and Oregon has a pending NCAA investigation to get through so why wait for what he cant control IF he is ready to move on? I do believe he is #1 on Arkansas list and they have spent a boat load of SEC $ on facilities. I also think Bo Pellini could end up there. I do think his agent always listens and only tells Pete whats up after the final regular season game when he has 0 media requirements. I don't think he blames Boise State for chasing $ but may tire of defending himself and his program. Gets old for a guy who hasn't said much about the changes in the Big East or what he thinks. That worries me some because with Pete it is usually what he wont say that speaks loudest. If Kustra is throwing around his ego with Pete that wouldn't play well. Pete  knows Boise St has to go in for the $ but he doesn't always operate that way. He could want to make his assistants better off and keep them together longer. That gets tiring having to replace your co-ords every off season. . To me, he usually  sounded tired in his Monday pressers and spoke of the grind. He explains the type of energy it takes to do his job at Boise State, add in the whole conference piece and getting $ together for facilities and you have it. A tired guy who even gave up trying to take more pleasure in wins and admitted it.  It happens. I think its possible he has come to realize that sometimes it is better to move on then try to re capture what you have already done. I just don't know if he is ready to act on it and the culture seems so counter to his that I would be shocked if he did it. Even more shocked if he did it Tuesday.