Apparently, KJ Jefferson Wasn't Having Fun Anymore

As we find out more insights into Dan Enos' firing, picture becoming clear

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Oct 25, 2023 11:34 AM EDT
Original:
Oct 24, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson has looked frustrated for a while, but from the outside it was hard to put a finger on the exact issue. It was obvious to some all the way back to August there was a problem somewhere. Body language and simply being around a player long enough to know something had changed made it painfully clear.

Now we have a better idea. Offensive coordinator Dan Enos apparently strolled in and changed a lot more than play calling with the Razorbacks, and now they have to walk a razor's edge to make a bowl game. It's hard to find someone with sanity who can logically say with confidence Arkansas can win all four games left on the schedule.

Jefferson gave enough clues Tuesday on ESPN Arkansas with Phil Elson and former Hogs quarterback Matt Jones about the stark difference between Enos and wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton, who took over the quarterbacks and offense Sunday night.

"He's going to be focusing on moving forward as an offense, and that's enthusiasm," Jefferson said on the radio show. "Just being able to have fun and be passionate and accountability. Everybody being accountable for their mistakes. If somebody messes up, we have to be able to get on them and pinpoint it and nip it in the bud right then and there."

That's saying a lot in just a few words. The bottom line is the offense was in complete disarray. For some reason, Enos thought he could completely change the direction of the offense and everybody pick it up in a few months. That may explain why the last time he stayed in one spot for longer than a year was with Bret Bielema in 2017, and that was just two years.

"It's just a slight difference in the offense as far as going tempo and being able to do certain things that we're good at and being able to build off those things," Jefferson said. "Being able to have a simplified playbook down to where guys can play faster, they don't have to think as much, and they're grasping the material quickly. Now when it's on the field, they know their keys, they know what they're looking at, and they can be able to play faster and confident."

Yeah, now we have a better idea. Apparently Enos is the only one the last few years who sees his alleged offensive genius. The hoopla around him coming in to replace Kendal Briles was remembering a whole lot of really mediocre offense and winning one of the two Razorback bowl games he coached in.

And, once again, we see that you can't go forward looking in the rearview mirror very often. Just because someone had success here years ago doesn't mean that will be repeated.