The Arkansas Razorbacks have started this season with a disappointing 2-6 record and are currently on a six-game losing streak, including the last five against SEC West opponents LSU, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Mississippi State. The Hogs have lost those five contests by a combined 29 points, which averages out to a 5.8 point loss per contest.
The two downsides of this are that close doesn’t cut it – especially in a conference like the SEC, and that this is head coach Sam Pittman’s fourth season at the school where he has a combined record of 21-23. Pittman’s best season came in 2021 which was his second at the school. This was coming off of a 3-7 campaign, so the team saw it as a great sign, but it’s been a surprisingly downward trend since.
While there is a small chance that Pittman could keep his job, it’s becoming less and less likely, especially with other coaching candidates waiting in the wings.
Here are some potential coaches that may emerge as favorites for the job with the Arkansas Razorbacks:
Predictions for Arkansas Razorbacks’ next head coach
Kendal Briles: Briles is a proven offensive mind at the collegiate level coaching the Hogs as their offensive coordinator from 2020-2022 before departing for the same position with the TCU Horned Frogs this past season. With ties to Fayetteville, this could be a prime target for the Hogs.
Dan Mullen: Mullen has been a head coach twice in the SEC for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Florida Gators. Despite many remembering him for his short-comings at Florida in the last two seasons, Mullen did have two 10-plus win seasons with the Gators in 2018 and 2019 which were his first two at the school. 103-61 isn’t a bad record at all as a head coach – and that’s Mullen’s. Here is a more extensive look at Dan Mullen’s success in the SEC and why the Hogs should consider him.
Deion Sanders: Deion’s famous playing career was as an All-American defensive back at Florida State in the 1980’s. After a hall of fame NFL career, Sanders transitioned into coaching where he took over as the head coach at Jackon State University in 2020. Sanders turned Jackson State into a SWAC powerhouse. He went 27-6 at the school in three years. From there, Sanders was offered and took the head coaching job at the FBS level where he’s led the Colorado Buffaloes to a 4-3 record so far this season, which has outperformed the expectations for many.
Jeff Lebby: Jeff Lebby is the current offensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners, and also has offensive coordinator experience at Ole Miss under Lane Kiffin. Lebby is an offense mind and his winning experience at multiple stops makes him a viable candidate for an open head coaching job.
Liam Coen: Liam Coen is the offensive coordinator for the University of Kentucky, where he returned after a one year exit for the NFL. Coen held this role in 2021 where he led the Wildcats to 32.3 points per game which was fifth in the country.
While these names may not be the most premier, they’re the names that make the most sense as all besides Deion Sanders have winning SEC experience.
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