This is going to be interesting for Arkansas,

The Les Miles flirtation was nothing more than a negotiating tactic to attract attention once Auburn came into play. Long basically said we can pay this 5 mil per year, but your resume must look like this: 2 SEC championships, 1 BCS title, multiple BCS bowls. I wouldn't be surprised if the 5 years $27 mil was what Bass was requesting for Patterson & Long said we won't pay that for him but for someone with a Les Miles resume.
I also suspect Les went along with it to help. out an old buddy. The raise he got was going to happen regardless. Hell, it's only a 13% bump. It could have been deferred COLA increases packaged into a raise. Les hadn't had a raise in 4 years and that works out neatly to 3% per year.
The trouble that Long is in - this is a buyers market. If Auburn & Tennessee move first he loses any leverage on salary & may be behind a serious 8 ball. He almost has to have a home-run announced on Sunday. If not, recruiting will take a big, big hit.
I wish Arkansas fans luck. This isn't nearly in the ball park as the Joe Dean shite show's LSU fans suffered through when he hired "Don't Look Back" Curley Hallman & "He Watches Game Film in His Dreams" Gerry Dinardo.