Jeff Long's career as an athletic director has been marked by both successes and controversies that could be described as "shady" by some. Here's a summary of aspects that contribute to this perception:

University of Arkansas (2008-2017):

Contractual Negotiations: Reports suggest Long negotiated highly favorable contracts for himself, making him one of the highest-paid athletic directors in the country. His contract included an "evergreen" clause that automatically extended it annually if not notified otherwise, and significant incentives for the athletic program achieving certain benchmarks.
Bobby Petrino Scandal (2012): Long fired football coach Bobby Petrino after he was involved in a motorcycle accident with a woman he was having an affair with. While the firing might have been justified, the situation itself was a significant controversy during Long's tenure.
Dismissal: Long was ultimately fired from Arkansas in November 2017. The university's chancellor stated that Long had "lost the support of many of our fans, alumni, key supporters, and members of the university leadership." This suggests dissatisfaction with his performance or leadership.
Financial Fallout: Following his dismissal, the University of Arkansas reportedly owed Long a significant buyout, highlighting the terms of his negotiated contract.
University of Kansas (2018-2021):

Hiring of Les Miles: Long hired Les Miles as the head football coach at Kansas. This hire later came under intense scrutiny and led to Miles' dismissal due to allegations of inappropriate behavior towards female students during his time at LSU.
David Beaty Controversy: Long's administration at Kansas was accused of fabricating an NCAA investigation into former football coach David Beaty to avoid paying his $3 million buyout. The NCAA ultimately cleared Beaty of any wrongdoing. This situation led to a lawsuit and public embarrassment for the university.
Inappropriate Remarks: During the legal proceedings related to Beaty's firing, testimony emerged alleging that Long made inappropriate and sexually suggestive remarks.
Snoop Dogg Incident: Long faced criticism for inviting Snoop Dogg to a basketball event, "Late Night in the Phog," where the rapper's performance included scantily clad dancers and the firing of fake money, which some saw as insensitive given the ongoing NCAA investigation into the basketball program. Long apologized for not understanding the nature of the entertainment.
Resignation: Long resigned from his position at Kansas in March 2021, just days after the university parted ways with Les Miles.
NCAA Matters:

Kansas Investigations: Long's tenure at Kansas coincided with significant NCAA investigations into both the men's basketball and football programs. While he publicly defended the university and coaches in some instances, these ongoing investigations cast a shadow over his leadership.
Silvio De Sousa Ruling: Long publicly criticized the NCAA's harsh ruling against Kansas basketball player Silvio De Sousa, stating his faith in the NCAA process had been "shaken."
While Jeff Long also achieved successes during his career, including leading Arkansas to conference championships and national recognition in various sports and chairing the inaugural College Football Playoff selection committee, the controversies and circumstances surrounding his departures from both Arkansas and Kansas contribute to a perception of a "shady" career in the eyes of some.

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