Now that Bobby Petrino has received his walking papers, where does Arkansas turn? Assuming the Razorbacks don’t go the interim route, here are a few names that I suspect will come up. (Or, at the very least, should come up.)
*Gus Malzahn, Head Coach, Arkansas St.
Malzahn is clearly a well-known commodity around the Ozarks, having spent a year as the offensive coordinator in Fayetteville after establishing a dynasty coaching on the high school level in the state. I suspect the new head coach at Arkansas St. would be hesitant to jump ship less than four months into that job, though.
For what it’s worth, George Schroeder of the Eugene Register-Guard is one of the best in the business and used to cover Arkansas, and he says Malzahn ain’t happening.
*Garrick McGee, Head Coach, UAB
See above. Would McGee really leave UAB in a lurch like that? I doubt it.
Too bad for the Hogs, because McGee would make a great hire who could seamlessly transition into the position.
*Manny Diaz, Defensive Coordinator, Texas
As an Oklahoma fan, I spent all last season observing Diaz’s handiwork with the Longhorns. My thoughts: Please get him out of Austin.
In all seriousness, though, Diaz looks to be on the fast track to coaching stardom after a strong debut season on the 40 Acres. He’s young and dynamic, and his defensive schemes are some of the more innovative in the country. Having previously served as coordinator for Mississippi St., Diaz knows the SEC West. Plus, he could possibly help the Razorbacks reconnect with the Texas recruiting scene.
*Mark Hudspeth, Head Coach, Louisiana-Lafayette
From the Sun Belt to the SEC, a la Hugh Freeze?
Another former Mississippi St. assistant, Hudspeth led the Ragin’ Cajuns to a 9-4 record last season, his first in Lafayette. Again, he knows the SEC and the recruiting territory.
*Art Briles, Head Coach, Baylor
Briles’ stock couldn’t be higher right now after leading the Bears to the best season in school history and mentoring Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III. Much like Hudspeth, winning at a place like Waco says something about your coaching ability.
*Butch Davis, Unemployed
Davis is an alum and apparently would love to have the job. Given what’s going on now in Fayetteville, what are the chances AD Jeff Long would want to bring in a coach whose last employer is now on probation? Just don’t see it happening.
*Bo Pelini, Head Coach, Nebraska
For some reason, Pelini’s name keeps coming up in connection with this job. Is he the one putting it out there? Once LSU’s defensive coordinator, Pelini does have ties to the SEC.
Would Nebraska honestly let its head coach get snapped up by Arkansas, though? I suspect the Cornhuskers would pony up for Pelini just out of principle.
