Arkansas coach says no official contact from Crimson Tide

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) _ Arkansas football coach Houston Nutt, preparing his team for an appearance Saturday in the Southeastern Conference championship game, says he's had no official contact with

Friday, December 6th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) _ Arkansas football coach Houston Nutt, preparing his team for an appearance Saturday in the Southeastern Conference championship game, says he's had no official contact with Alabama, where officials are looking for a new coach.

Alabama coach Dennis Franchione on Thursday accepted an offer from Texas A&M to take the place of R.C. Slocum, fired Monday after a 6-6 season. At Alabama, Franchione's team went 10-3 this year, his second at the helm of the Crimson Tide.

But Alabama wasn't eligible for a post-season game because the program is on NCAA probation because of recruiting violations before Franchione arrived.

Nutt, 45, is finishing his fifth season at Arkansas, and his team will be going to its fifth bowl under his tutelage. He was SEC coach of the year last year.

``I've heard nothing, nothing happening,'' he said Thursday after reports that Alabama might be considering him as a replacement for Franchione.

The Razorbacks will play Georgia on Saturday at Atlanta for the SEC crown.

``My mind is on one game, and it's right here,'' Nutt said. ``I'm looking forward to the championship game.''

Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles said no Alabama administrator had called to ask permission to talk to Nutt.

``I would be terribly disappointed if they did contact me before the season's over, and I would not take the call if they did,'' Broyles said. ``But I know they wouldn't do that.''

He said it would be inappropriate to comment on whether Nutt had received any unofficial feeler about the Alabama job, because such talk would be a distraction to the Arkansas team.

Nutt's teams have compiled a 39-21 record at Arkansas, and he is 75-43 overall as a head coach.