FAYETTEVILLE -- Following three losses in a row including a 56-13 thrashing at the hands of Notre Dame on Saturday Sam Pittman is no longer the football coach at Arkansas.
The Notre Dame loss combined with late fumbles to lose both Ole Miss and Memphis helped lead to Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek firing Pittman on Sunday. Pittman leaves Arkansas with a record of 32-34. Because of the way his contract was written the first season, 2020, didn't count concerning the buyout. That means at 29-27 Pittman will receive a larger buyout from Arkansas. Due to being fired now Pittman will receive $9.3 million for the buyout.
The question now is who replaces him? Another question might be does Arkansas keep Yurachek around to make this next hire? That is another thing to watch.
Here's some candidates to Watch
Bobby Petrino, Interim HC, Arkansas, Age 64
Petrino was the head coach at Arkansas from 2008-11 finishing with a record of 34-17. The Razorbacks went 10-3 and 11-2 his final two seasons coaching the Hogs. Petrino was 41-9 from 2003-06 in his first stint at Louisville. In one year at Western Kentucky he was 8-4 in 2013. From 2014-18 at Louisville, Petrino was 36-26. Petrino was 18-15 in two years, 2021-22, at Missouri State. With the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL, Petrino was 3-10 in 2007. Petrino was the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M in 2023 before returning to Arkansas for the same position under Pittman.
Rhett Lashlee, HC, SMU, Age 42
The former high school quarterback for Gus Malzahn has built a very good program at SMU. He's in his fourth season heading the Mustangs. Lashlee has a record of 31-14 with SMU. He was 7-6 in 2022. That record improved to 11-3 the next two seasons. His team made the College Football Playoffs last season. The Mustangs are only 2-2 this season. They have beaten East Texas A&M and Missouri State, but have lost both Power 4 matchups following to Baylor and TCU. Some might cringe at thought of hiring Lashlee from SMU considering the way Chad Morris' hire turned out. But that is unfair as Lashlee is clearly an upgrade over Morris. He has vast offensive coordinator experience as well. Lashlee is from Springdale and actually played for the Razobacks before an injury ended his career.
G.J. Kinne, HC, Texas State, Age 37
Many don't realize he was an offensive analyst at Arkansas in 2018. The former Gilmer (Texas) High School quarterback is known for a potent offense and has a very good mind on that side of the ball. He is regarded as a very good recruiter and obviously has strong ties to the Lone Star State. He started his college career at Texas, but transferred to Tulsa. In 2022 as a first-time head coach, Kinne went 12-2 at Incarnate Word. He left following that season for Texas State. He has put together records of 8-5, 8-5 and then 3-1 thus far this season. They have beaten Nicholls, Eastern Michigan and UTSA. The lone loss was to Arizona State. Kinne will take his Texas State squad to Jonesboro on Saturday to face Arkansas State. Good offensive mind and recruiter is his pluses to be considered for the Razorbacks. Oklahoma State is reportedly showing interest as well.
Jon Sumrall, HC, Tulane, Age 43
Born in Texarkana, Texas, and played college football at Kentucky. One of the hottest names in the college coaching rumor mills right now and rightfully so. But with Kentucky struggling this season one would have to think Sumrall might head back to his alma mater. Sumrall was the head coach at Troy and went 12-2 and 11-2 in back-to-back years (2022-23). He was 9-5 at Tulane last season in his first year there. Tulane is off to a 4-1 record this season with the lone loss to Ole Miss. He played linebacker in college for the Wildcats from 2002-04. He has coached linebackers and served as defensive coordinator at various schools before becoming head coach at Troy. In 2021, he was co-defensive coordinator and linebacker coach at his alma mater. While he would be a good hire, I don't think Arkansas is where he ends up.
Ryan Silverfield, HC, Memphis, Age 45
Memphis is off to a 5-0 start this season with one of the wins 32-31 over Arkansas. He coached the Cotton Bowl for Memphis in 2019 and lost as he replaced Mike Norvell who left for Florida State. He has been the head coach of the Tigers since then compiling a 47-21 mark. After starting out 8-3, 6-6 and 7-5 from 2020-22 the program has taken off. In 2023, Memphis was 10-3 and then 11-2 in 2024. They finished ranked No. 23 in a poll after last season and No. 24 in another. The Tigers are in great shape if they continue to win to be in the College Football Playoffs. While the win over Arkansas was great for the program, Memphis how now beaten the last four SEC teams they faced in Memphis.
Other Names to Watch
Jon Gruden, Age 62, (Won Super Bowl With Tampa Bay at Age 39)
Jimbo Fisher, Age 59, (Former Florida State and Texas A&M Head Coach)
Deion Sanders, Age 58, (Head Coach at Colorado. Interviewed for UA job when Pittman hired)
Curt Cignetti, Age 64, (Head Coach at Indiana. Has turned Hoosiers into great job)
Glenn Schumann, Age 35, (A young coach who could make great head coach. DC at Georgia)