Updated Menu: Arkansas Next Football Coach

As the 2025 college football season rolls on, the list of open head coaching positions is growing at warp speed. In the case of Arkansas, which dismissed Sam Pittman following the week five Notre Dame thrashing, the decision is not easy, as people continue to ask, Who will be the next coach at Arkansas football? With additional positions, such as those at Penn State and LSU, the Razorbacks are not the top attraction, yet not the worst either. We at Last Word put together a list following the departure of Pittman, and now we will update that list to fit the current pool of coaches.

Carousel Spins Faster For Arkansas As Season Comes To A Close

Bob Chesney

Can we confirm who the next coach at Arkansas will be with the opening candidate? Perhaps, considering every program in the country is looking for another version of Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti? The first coach on our list is Bob Chesney, who took over at James Madison. To step in for Cignetti and take over the Dukes was no easy task, yet Chesney has succeeded. While in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Chesney has amassed a 16-5 record. Under Chesney, the Dukes have won games and been near the top of both offense and defense rankings. Some fans may not even know who Chesney is, but, hey, they may be just what Arkansas needs, something different. Prior to JMU, Chesney led Holy Cross to a 44-21 record from 2018 to 2023, which further proves the talent. Simply put, the 48-year-old is a diamond in the rough, and Arkansas loves diamonds.

Eric Morris

We know the last name evokes memories for Arkansas fans of Chad Morris. The head man at North Texas, Eric Morris, is the second coach on this list. Morris, a former Texas Tech wide receiver from 2004-08, brings a wealth of knowledge from a multitude of coaches, including the unique scheme from the Mike Leach coaching tree. Before Denton, Texas, Morris worked under Leach at Washington State. Then, Morris went back to his alma mater, under Kliff Kingsbury, and later became offensive coordinator for the Red Raiders. A name mentioned in the last few carousel spins, Morris looks to land a P4 position in the current cycle. Denton is not that far from Fayetteville; the moving expenses would be cheaper if Arkansas made another move on a ‘Morris’ as the head man.

Alex Golesh

The third name is one most Arkansas fans are familiar with. If not, he current South Florida head coach, Alex Golesh, is the next man on the list. The man who has been said is the “GA’s, GA” meaning he worked from the ground up to get where he is going to land one of these open positions. The former Tennessee offensive coordinator has a relentless attack on both offense and defense. More important for Arkansas and Golesh is a true connection to the state. His wife, Alexis, is from Greenwood, Arkansas, and visits her home state frequently. This has many pondering if Golesh is next in Fayetteville. Will this connection fit for Golesh and the Hogs? We will find out. If so, Arkansas may hit a HOME run.

Ryan Silverfield

Next is a name Arkansas fans have seen this season. Ryan Silverfield, head coach at Memphis, is the fourth coach on the list. The Tigers are currently the darling of the CFP Ball for the “G6” teams with an 8-1 record. In his sixth season in the Bluff City, Silverfield has compiled a 50-21 record, including back-to-back seasons with ten or more wins. Based on the trend of this season, Memphis could see a third consecutive. The former offensive line coach has shown an ability to adapt to the ‘modern age’ of college football with portal and high school balance. In addition, with 78 new players for Memphis, Silverfield has demonstrated his ability to motivate and develop talent. While the hire is not a major splash, Arkansas would be hiring a proven winner and a coach who accepts the current state of the game.