Arkansas football: Kendal Briles linked to head coach opening at Texas Tech

According to multiple reports, Arkansas football Offensive Coordinator Kendal Briles is a leading candidate to become the next head coach at Texas Tech.

Briles, who is in his second season with the Razorbacks, has quickly retooled the offense and put players in a position to become one of the top rushing teams in the country.

Briles, 38, spent time at Baylor, Florida Atlantic, Florida State and Houston prior to joining Head Coach Sam Pittman’s staff at Arkansas.

Arkansas football OC Kendal Briles is on a list of Texas Tech coaching candidates

Interestingly enough, Briles is rumored to be competing with his father, Art Briles, for the opening at Texas Tech.

Additionally, the younger Briles is said to also be competing with current UTSA head coach and former Arkansas associate head coach Jeff Traylor (2018-2019) for the job as well.

SMU Head Coach Sonny Dykes rounds out the short list for the Red Raiders.

Local reporters in Texas were the first to name Kendal Briles as a top choice for the opening at Texas Tech.

If hired, Kendal Briles will have earned his first head coaching position. He would become the second youngest head coach in the Big 12. Currently, Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley takes that honor over Briles by about 10 months.

Since 2015, Texas Tech is 36-44 and been to just two bowl games. Briles would have his work cut out if he ends up as their next head coach.

By the same token, the Arkansas Razorbacks will be hard pressed to find a replacement who has been as creative and forward-thinking as Kendal Briles.

We’ll be keeping an eye on the latest news and rumors with Kendal Briles and whether or not he decides to leave the Arkansas football team to become the head coach at Texas Tech.