2008 Woodie Awards
Dial leaves football team
Matt Jones
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Sports
Arkansas reserve linebacker Tim Dial has left the program, he confirmed through a phone interview Friday.
Dial, a 6-3, 215-pound, redshirt freshman from Jenks, Okla., said the decision was solely a personal one he felt he needed to make.
"I just wasn't happy," Dial said. "I was recruited by Coach (Houston) Nutt and his staff. It's nothing against the new staff, but I just wasn't happy and wanted to explore new opportunities."
Dial began to entertain the thought of leaving shortly after Nutt resigned in late November, but wanted to take his time making a decision.
Dial said he informed Razorback head coach Bobby Petrino of his decision Monday and was granted his official release from his scholarship Tuesday in a follow-up meeting.
"He wanted me to go through spring ball with the team," Dial said. "But I felt strong about my decision and didn't want to waste any more time.
"I had a great time (at Arkansas). I enjoyed the guys on the team. It's just that things at that point in time weren't working for me. It's nothing against anyone there. I just needed to make a move."
Dial said he will likely transfer to East Central Oklahoma University, a Division-II school in Ada, Okla., about an hour and a half from his hometown. Dial said he chose a smaller school so he could play right away instead of sitting out another season per NCAA rules.
"I already redshirted one season and didn't want to sit out another," Dial said. "At the same time, if I go somewhere smaller I have a chance of starting immediately."
Dial said he likely would have finished the spring in the second string position at will linebacker behind Ryan Powers at Arkansas, but would have played a significant amount of time on the special teams. He said playing time had little effect on his decision to transfer.
Dial was a highly-recruited linebacker out of Oklahoma 6A powerhouse Jenks High School, where he helped his team to a state championship win his senior season. He chose Arkansas over Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tulsa, Michigan and Colorado State.
Dial, a 6-3, 215-pound, redshirt freshman from Jenks, Okla., said the decision was solely a personal one he felt he needed to make.
"I just wasn't happy," Dial said. "I was recruited by Coach (Houston) Nutt and his staff. It's nothing against the new staff, but I just wasn't happy and wanted to explore new opportunities."
Dial began to entertain the thought of leaving shortly after Nutt resigned in late November, but wanted to take his time making a decision.
Dial said he informed Razorback head coach Bobby Petrino of his decision Monday and was granted his official release from his scholarship Tuesday in a follow-up meeting.
"He wanted me to go through spring ball with the team," Dial said. "But I felt strong about my decision and didn't want to waste any more time.
"I had a great time (at Arkansas). I enjoyed the guys on the team. It's just that things at that point in time weren't working for me. It's nothing against anyone there. I just needed to make a move."
Dial said he will likely transfer to East Central Oklahoma University, a Division-II school in Ada, Okla., about an hour and a half from his hometown. Dial said he chose a smaller school so he could play right away instead of sitting out another season per NCAA rules.
"I already redshirted one season and didn't want to sit out another," Dial said. "At the same time, if I go somewhere smaller I have a chance of starting immediately."
Dial said he likely would have finished the spring in the second string position at will linebacker behind Ryan Powers at Arkansas, but would have played a significant amount of time on the special teams. He said playing time had little effect on his decision to transfer.
Dial was a highly-recruited linebacker out of Oklahoma 6A powerhouse Jenks High School, where he helped his team to a state championship win his senior season. He chose Arkansas over Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tulsa, Michigan and Colorado State.
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