Update: Interim AD Julie Cromer said she spoke with Bret Bielema in his office to inform him of his firing.

As much as many people believed the end was near for Arkansas coach Bret Bielema, most were shocked with the way the school’s leadership handled the firing.

Bielema said in a post-game press conference following the loss to Missouri that he was informed of the decision while walking off the field. Those inside and outside the program, including those who agreed with the firing in general, questioned the nature of the timing. Why not wait until tomorrow? The fact that it was done by an interim athletics director, and a press conference was distributed moments after the game led some to suggest that it was “cold blooded.”

Given the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, one theory, according to Bo Mattingly’s source, was that players are leaving town to visit family and this would be the best time to say goodbye.

Bielema also mentioned in his press conference that he said goodbye to seniors walking off the field.

Because of his background as a nice guy who was believed to have run a clean program, many took Bielema’s side as the developments unfolded as a classy guy to discuss the firing moments after it happened.