If there was any question whether Bret Bielema was a players’ coach, immediate reaction from Arkansas players about his firing answered that clearly.

Several Razorback players tweeted personal thoughts about the coach who was fired immediately after the loss to Missouri. They cited him helping them fulfill childhood dreams, especially for Arkansas natives, of playing for the state’s flagship football program.

Julie Cromer Peoples, who was named interim athletic director after Jeff Long was fired last week, said in a statement that the Razorbacks “have not been able to sustain the success on the field that is expected and required at the University of Arkansas” during Bielema’s tenure.

As is the case with many college coaches, the players said Bielema was a father figure to them, and taught them life lessons and other principles away from football that they plan to use later in life.

Bielema himself was emotional in a post-game press conference explaining his reaction to the firing. He said he had a chance to say goodbye to some 80 players, including some with hugs on the field.