Updated Head Coach Candidates for Arkansas (11/21)

Jimbo Fisher – Former Florida State & Texas A&M Head Coach

The skinny: An offensive-minded coach, Fisher worked his way through the ranks as an assistant at Auburn, Cincinnati, LSU and Florida State before being named the Seminoles head coach in 2010. During his eight seasons with Florida State, the Seminoles won the ACC three times and most notably the National Championship in 2013.

After he abruptly made the move from Florida State to Texas A&M after the 2017 season, success was a bit harder to come by. Fisher still went 45-25 with the Aggies, but he never met the lofty expectations that surrounded him. This eventually led to his firing in November 2023. Fisher has successfully stayed out of the limelight since his dismissal.

Now he seems eager to get back into the limelight and Arkansas may provide that for him. Fisher is a veteran of the game who happens to have a .727 winning percentage. Those are the positives. But his reputation isn’t necessarily on solid ground after his dysfunctional experience at Texas A&M. Would Arkansas be willing to overlook that?

Gus Malzahn – Former Auburn & UCF Head Coach

The skinny: Malzahn began his coaching career in the Arkansas high school ranks. He spent 15 seasons in the state before getting his first collegiate opportunity at Arkansas as the Razorbacks offensive coordinator in 2006. After spending the next five seasons at Tulsa and Auburn, he returned to the state for his first head coaching opportunity at Arkansas State.

After one season with the Red Wolves, he made the move to Auburn, where he led the Tigers to the National Championship during his first season. He went 68-35 in eight seasons with Auburn before getting fired in December 2020. He quickly found his next job at UCF, which only lasted four seasons after a 28-24 overall record.

His ties to the state are deep, so there are plenty of reasons why this would make sense. However, it wouldn’t necessarily move the needle outside the state. This seems like the safe pick for the Razorbacks or the pick they will go back to if they strike out at their priorities.

Eric Morris – North Texas (Head Coach)

The skinny: Morris will be a head coach sooner than later, but with the Mean Green currently at 9-1, it might be much sooner than anyone would’ve expected a couple of months ago. He just turned 40 and has already established himself as a quarterback guru, having coached Patrick Mahomes, Cam Ward, John Mateer, Chandler Morris and now Drew Mestemaker, who is having a breakout season.

Morris was born, raised and played his college football in Texas (Texas Tech) so he is very familiar with the Arkansas area. It is likely that he will get a P4 job during this cycle, so the only question is if Arkansas makes him a priority.

Others to monitor: Jon Gruden – Former NFL Head Coach, Bobby Petrino – Arkansas (Interim Head Coach), Jeff Traylor – UTSA (Head Coach)