Whenever Arkansas begins a coaching search, Gus Malzahn’s name seems to surface almost immediately. But this search comes with a twist, Malzahn has actually sat down for an interview. The former Auburn head coach and current Florida State offensive coordinator is now firmly in the mix.
A Familiar Name in Fayetteville
The job became vacant after Sam Pittman was dismissed following a lopsided loss to Notre Dame, the final blow in a season that never found its footing. Bobby Petrino has served as the interim head coach, but all signs point to Arkansas looking elsewhere for long-term leadership. Malzahn is now squarely in the picture.
Malzahn’s connection to Arkansas runs deep. He served as the Razorbacks’ offensive coordinator in 2006, the same season Arkansas last beat Alabama. Though he stayed only one year before moving on to Tulsa and later Auburn, his brief tenure made a lasting impression. Long before that, Malzahn was a walk-on wide receiver at Arkansas, giving him ties to the program that go beyond coaching stops.
A Proven Track Record as a Head Coach
Malzahn’s rise came quickly. After helping engineer explosive offenses at Tulsa and Auburn, he received his first head-coaching opportunity at Arkansas State in 2012. He went 9–3 in his lone season in Jonesboro, then departed before the bowl game to take the Auburn job.
What followed was a run the Tigers have not replicated since. From 2013–20, Malzahn posted a 68–35 record overall and went 39–27 in SEC play. He reached the national championship game in his first year, routinely fielded dangerous offenses, and consistently delivered results that Auburn has struggled to match after firing him following the 2020 season.
Malzahn took over at UCF from 2021–24, posting 9-4 and 9-5 seasons before the Knights jumped from the AAC into the Big 12. The transition exposed financial and roster-depth limitations the program has struggled to overcome. UCF went 6-7 and 4-8 in their first two Big 12 seasons, reaching three bowl games but losing two of them in his time there. Even so, Malzahn’s overall record sits at a strong 105–62 overall, reflecting both longevity and consistent competitiveness throughout his career.
Is the Timing Finally Right?
Malzahn has the experience that Arkansas desperately needs: head-coaching pedigree, SEC familiarity, and a track record of building innovative offenses. He also has something that can’t be manufactured with genuine ties to the state and the program. His experience and knowledge of the program could give him the edge.
He is viewed as one of college football’s brightest offensive minds, and now, after varied stints at Auburn, UCF, and Florida State, he appears ready to step back into the head-coaching role at a major program. With the right resources, Malzahn has the connections and credibility to assemble a formidable staff capable of rebuilding the Razorbacks into a competitive SEC force.
A Program and a Coach at a Crossroads
Arkansas needs a steady, proven leader who understands both the SEC and the unique culture of Razorback football. Still at Florida State for the time being as the OC. But Malzahn, meanwhile, may be seeking the right situation to re-establish himself at the Power Four level. Arkansas needs to put him, or whoever becomes the next head coach, in a position to succeed, an advantage past coaches often lacked.
Could this be the year the long-discussed pairing finally happens?
For once, the answer might be yes.