Stick to basics in hiring women's coach

FAYETTEVILLE -- The next University of Arkansas, Fayetteville higher-ups fancying they'll think outside the box while hiring a women's basketball coach should have their ears boxed with a history lesson.

It hasn't worked. History has Arkansas 0 for 2 when defying convention.

Presumably, Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long will start his search while aiming for a couple of proven coaches with Arkansas ties to replace Jimmy Dykes, who parted company with the Razorbacks last week after three seasons.

Vic Schaefer, the former Arkansas assistant to Gary Blair, is coaching the 29-4 SEC runners-up Mississippi State Bulldogs. Mike Neighbors, the Greenwood native and former part-time Blair assistant…