It always felt like a curious move when Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema left the Badgers and a 68-24 career record to take over the job at Arkansas.
With a 29-32 overall record in Fayetteville, I wonder if the school is having buyer's remorse.
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Since his arrival in 2013, the Razorbacks have lost to the likes of Rutgers and Toledo, as well as just a one-point win at home to 1-9 Coastal Carolina this year. Even worse is the 11-27 SEC record, including 0-8 in his first season at the school. If Arkansas doesn't win out over #16 Mississippi State and a smoking-hot Missouri club, it will miss the postseason for the second time in his five-year tenure.
If that happens, there's a high likelihood that his time in SEC country is over. If the ax falls, here are five potential replacements for Bret Bielema at Arkansas.
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Mike Norvell – Memphis
Norvell has seen practically nothing but success during his two years at Memphis while accumulating a 16-6 record – not to mention the Tigers still have an outside chance at a New Year's 6 bowl game. He set the record for most wins at Memphis by a coach in his first season last year (8), and he's already racked up that many W's in 2017.
Could Norvell follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Justin Fuente who parlayed his success with the Tigers into the head gig at Virginia Tech?
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Scott Frost – UCF
Easily one of the hottest names in college football, Frost currently has his club off to a blistering 9-0 start, and the Knights are on the inside track for a New Year's 6 game if it wins out.
If Arkansas wants a shot at Frost, it had better hurry up before his alma mater snags him.
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Mike Leach – Washington State
According to this petition, Mike Leach might be the people's choice to join the Razorbacks.
The man who brought Washington State back from the dead after a very successful 84-43 stint at Texas Tech could bring his Air Raid offense to the South and inject some much-needed life into Arkansas' offense.
We also know he'd bring his quirky sense of humor and behavior, which would be just entertaining as all heck for the rest of us.
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Lane Kiffin – Florida Atlantic
Similar to how it seems like Jon Gruden's name comes up for every vacant NFL job, Lane Kiffin is always at the forefront for openings at Power 5 schools. We've also seen him jump ship before after coaching only one year at a university when he ditched Tennessee after the 2009 season for USC.
The job he's doing in Boca Raton is nothing short of astounding. After a dismal 3-9 campaign a year ago that included 63-7 and 77-56 blowout losses to Kansas State and Middle Tennessee, respectively, the Owls are flying high at 7-3, including a perfect 6-0 mark in Conference USA play. The offense is #23 overall in total yards from scrimmage, and FAU could be looking at an incredible 11-win season if it runs the table.
Considering the Razorbacks are #80 in total offense, fans in Fayetteville should be holding campus rallies to get Kiffin to town.
If he does get the job, it's a shame he won't have a chance to get revenge on the Vols until 2020.
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Les Miles
Pro: He could get his revenge against LSU on November 10, 2018.
Con: The Razorbacks play on synthetic turf, and we know from the past that Miles prefers his grass au natural.
