In both the termination letter and the press conference following the firing of Bret Bielema, Arkansas interim Athletics Director Julie Cromer Peoples said the former coach has represented the university and football program with class.

“It was not an easy conversation to have, as Coach Bielema … has demonstrated unwavering commitment to our student-athletes,” she said.

Here are other key points she made during the 15-minute talk with reporters, courtesy of a video from WholeHogSports.

  • The timing was because of the holiday weekend and players leaving the area to be with their families. It gave Bielema a chance to talk with them in person, and them not find out by text message or on social media.
  • The decision was made after evaluation throughout the season, including during the game, Peoples said.
  • Peoples said she would “run point” on the search. There won’t be a search committee, but she would lean on key advisors.
  • Peoples said this isn’t the first football coaching search she’s been involved with. She was at Indiana when the Hoosiers hired Kevin Wilson from Oklahoma.
  • People said she wouldn’t limit the pool to only people who have coached in the SEC.
  • People said a permanent AD is not necessary to make an offer to a coach. “I think you need an AD and we have one.”
  • She said the university, its tradition and facilities, along with the SEC, will attract top candidates from across the country.
  • Peoples said the “personal services contract” with the Razorback Foundation will handle Bielema’s buyout, and it’s up to the foundation to release those numbers.
  • Defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads was named interim coach.
  • She said the coaching market is “active” and it’s important to move as quickly as possible, and assistant coaches were scheduled to travel Sunday to evaluate prospects.