Background
First, some context: Arkansas fired Sam Pittman after six seasons, citing a need to reset the program after a disappointing start to the 2025 season. The Razorbacks immediately elevated Bobby Petrin to interim head coach, and he is already in the mix for the full-time job. On3’s “Hot Board” has listed several names to watch as possible permanent replacements. Below are the top candidates, their strengths, and the hurdles each may face.
Top Candidates
Bobby Petrino (Interim, former Arkansas head coach)
Petrino is the incumbent interim and a logical early candidate. He has prior experience leading Arkansas (2008–2011) and familiarity with the program, which gives him a baseline level of credibility. As offensive coordinator before Pittman’s dismissal, he helped energize Arkansas’s offense, which ranks among the SEC’s best in yardage.
However, Petrino also comes with baggage. His prior departure from Arkansas was fraught with controversy, and questions about recruiting acumen and durability in modern college football will linger. For the Razorbacks, the decision is whether his institutional knowledge and immediate availability outweigh those concerns.
Rhett Lashlee (Head Coach, SMU)
Lashlee is a widely discussed candidate on the hot board. He’s coached SMU since 2022 and delivered strong performance despite conference shifts, guiding the Mustangs to elite-level offense and postseason consistency. He’s also an Arkansas alumnus (former quarterback), which may give him sentimental pull and recruiting cache locally.
His challenge: persuading SMU to part ways mid-tenure and proving he can win in the SEC’s tougher environment, with higher expectations and more pressure across all phases of the game.
Jon Sumrall (Head Coach, Tulane)
Sumrall has long been one of the hotter up-and-coming names in the coaching world. He led Troy with success before moving to Tulane and has shown the ability to win consistently, especially against Power Four programs.
His defensive background and recruiting footprint in the Southeast make him an attractive candidate for Arkansas looking for a fresh voice.
Still, moving to a higher-pressure, higher-stakes environment with deep SEC expectations will test Sumrall’s adaptability and ability to scale his systems upward.
GJ Kinne (Head Coach, Texas State)
One of the more intriguing names is GJ Kinne, who has restored Texas State into prominence. Under his watch, the Bobcats have posted back-to-back winning seasons, including their first bowl wins. He’s young, upwardly mobile, and seen as a high-upside swing hire.
The risk is whether he can make the leap from a Group of Five program to SEC competition, particularly in terms of recruiting, game-day execution, and handling increased scrutiny.
Gus Malzahn (Offensive Coordinator, Florida State / former SEC head coach)
Malzahn brings name recognition and prior SEC experience. He is currently having success as an OC and is familiar with the mid-tier to upper-tier conference dynamics. His track record includes head coaching stints at Auburn and UCF. The upside is a proven offensive mind who can bring instant credibility.
On the flip side, concerns about his prior failures as a head coach (especially late-season collapses and program sustainability) may make Arkansas more cautious about giving him full control again.
Barry Odom (Head Coach, Purdue)
Barry Odom has Arkansas ties he served as DC during Pittman’s tenure. At Purdue, he is developing a reputation for steady improvement even in tough games. His defensive mindset and familiarity with the Razorback identity make him a dark-horse contender.
But Odom has to demonstrate he can recruit and win consistently against SEC-level opponents, especially on the road and in rivalry settings.
Additional Names (Mentioned but less prominent)
Other candidates mentioned in broader media circles include Eric Morris (North Texas), who has built offensive potency and would bring energy to the role, and Jeff Traylor (UTSA), known for strong recruiting and regional ties. These names may not be top-tier in On3’s initial list but could gain traction mid-search depending on how the process unfolds.
Analysis & What It Means
The Arkansas search has factors working in its favor. With Pittman gone, the Razorbacks now have time (as other programs also make changes) to engage a broad, national search. Also, the firing came early enough in the 2025 season that recruits, assistants, and transfer portal decisions may still be influenced.
However, the stakes are high. Arkansas is in a power conference where expectations are steep. A misstep in the hire could setback momentum, recruiting, and internal morale. The new coach must be able not only to coach but also to recruit at a high level, manage NIL, and handle public pressure. The balance between name brand and high-upside is delicate.
Right now, Petrino holds the advantage simply because of his existing role and instantaneous availability. But the program may want to move past the “interim placeholder” narrative and land a coach with longer-term vision. Lashlee and Sumrall seem to be rising as favorites for that kind of fresh energy, but they must clearly show they can scale. Meanwhile, Petrino may press his case by winning out and proving he can recruit and run a full program, not just as a short-term fix.
In sum: On3’s list offers a mix of experience, institutional fit, and developmental upside. Arkansas’ choice will reflect whether they lean toward a safe “known” or a bold “next wave” choice. Either way, the Razorbacks’ next head coach will inherit a roster with talent, but significant expectations and will be judged on how quickly he can restore Arkansas to SEC prominence.
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