Predicting who Hogs will land at coach, plus nine other teams

SEC coaching ranks to soon be loaded with quality proven talent Arkansas Razorbacks must face

Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman shakes hands with Missouri Tigers head coach Eil Drinkwitz after the game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium. Arkansas won 34-17. / Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Before the season ends, there will be a lot more coaching jobs open up that are going to affect the Razorbacks' ability to hire their next head coach.

Most of them are already visible for Arkansas athletics director Hunter Yurachek to anticipate who might be going there and which boosters are attempting to throw big money and favorable contract details at his top candidates.

James Franklin, Virginia Tech

Penn State coach James Franklin stands on the field following the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images / Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Franklin has made it clear he doesn't want to be at another huge, high profile job any time soon. He wants to be somewhere that cares about football, but is OK with eight or nine wins most seasons with pops into the playoffs here and there.

Virginia Tech fits the bill perfectly. It's a school that out-recruits the name on its jersey, has an amazing fan experience each week and can win the ACC at least once every four years with the right leader.

That's the perfect environment for Franklin. Plus, it's not in the SEC or Big Ten, so the path to the playoffs is much easier.

Eli Drinkwitz, Florida

Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz looks up at the video board against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. / Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Drinkwitz has maxed out at Missouri. Despite huge financial backing by those with ties to a known, yet officially undisclosed retailer, the road can only go so far in Columbia.

He's proven he is a quality coach, no matter how annoying some in the SEC find him at times. Florida needs a winner and Drinkwitz is exactly that.

He can do a lot with the money and tradition down in Gainesville. Since Kiffin's not going anywhere, it's the No. 2 choice that ends up leading the Gators finally back to college football royalty.

Joey McGuire, Texas

Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half at Mountain America Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

This one is a little less likely than it was three days ago. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian gave every indication he was tired of being forced to ride the Arch Manning train, and let his people slip out the word he has an interest in going to the NFL.

Then Manning did something totally unexpected. He looked like he can at least be an average quarterback in a huge 34-31 upset of No. 9 Vanderbilt down in Austin.

While that and the name on the front of the jersey is enough to possibly squeeze Texas eventually into the College Football Playoffs, it remains to be seen as to whether it's enough to keep Sarkisian.

In the event Sark takes off for the Tennessee Titans, Texas Tech's Joey McGuire is the premium choice to head up the Longhorns. He is a legend with high school coaches in the state and can win at a high level with the right resources.

If nothing else, Texas boosters will see it as a challenge to outbid the newly arrived big money in Lubbock simply to prove a point as to who truly has the deep pockets in the Lone Star State.

Ryan Silverfield, Missouri

Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield looks on during the second half against the South Florida Bulls at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images / Wesley Hale-Imagn Images

With Drinkwitz gone and facilities being upgraded all over campus, including the football stadium, Missouri finds itself in much better footing to land the coach of its choice this time around. In this case, it will be the potentially playoff bound Silverfield at Memphis.

He already meets once criteria — beating Arkansas in embarassing, program shaking fashion. With a great deal of money backing the program, the Tigers outbid a few teams and land their next coach.

Jerry Mack, Kentucky

Jacksonville Jaguars running backs coach Jerry Mack talks with running back D'Ernest Johnson (2) during practice at The Grove in London. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Money is a big reason Mark Stoops hasn't been canned yet in Lexington, but eventually the losing will overcome the pocketbooks. That means the Wildcats will need to find a proven winner on a budget.

Kennesaw State's Jerry Mack fits the bill perfectly. He has done the unthinkable in leading Kennesaw State to a bowl game while also having them still fighting for the Group of Five playoff spot as the presumptive Conference USA champion.

His NFL experience will also be a draw for Kentucky fans. If so, SEC fans had better get ready for a high flying offense that hasn't been seen in the Bluegrass State since the winning days of the 1990s.

Collin Klein, Oklahoma State

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed (10) celebrates with Aggies offensive coordinator Collin Klein after a touchdown against the Florida Gators during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. / Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

With Mike Gundy gone, things must feel weird over in Stillwater. The Cowboys aren't the most attractive job, but they are a highly attractive situation.

See, they are in the Big 12 with at least a little money in the NIL budget. That's all it takes to win the conference and claim a spot in the College Football Playoff.

It's the perfect spot for an up and coming coordinator to land in the midst of all these job openings. That's why Klein, who has coached and recruited from Kansas and Texas will be a good fit.

He's firmly planted right in the middle of the two recruiting grounds he knows best in a town that literally wouldn't exist if it weren't for the university. Plus, there is a ton of patience and the potential for stability for over a decade if Klein can get things rolling.

Eric Morris, Texas Tech

North Texas Mean Green head coach Eric Morris speaks with Tina Cervasio of CBS Sports after beating Army 45-38 in overtime at Michie Stadium. / Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Morris was on a bullet train to Arkansas until an unexpected opening at Texas popped up with Steve Sarkisian bolting for the NFL to avoid the headache of having to deal with political pressure to start Arch Manning in Austin next season.

He's a Mike Leach disciple who has married the air raid offense to a strong running game, making it possibly even more unstoppable than before. Plus, he is known as a tremendous quarterbacks coach, which is backed by his Who's Who list of elite QBs he has coached, plus the fact he is in the running for a college football playoff spot at North Texas with a quarterback who didn't even start a game in high school.

Drew Mestemaker didn't start at QB in high school and walked-on at North Texas as a 0-star.

Now, he's second in the country in passing and just led the Mean Green past undefeated Navy to put UNT at 8-1 on the season. pic.twitter.com/uSkaN1dESg

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) November 1, 2025

If Sarkisian decides to stick it out in Texas Tech, then there is a good chance he lands at Arkansas, but for right now, we're working with the idea the Longhorn's coach is headed to the NFL until proven otherwise.

Dan Mullen, Auburn

Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen watches play against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. / Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Tigers kind of stumble into a quality coach for the first time since Gus Malzahn stalked the sidelines and the nightmares of Nick Saban.

Mullen road the coattails of Barry Odom at at UNLV and kept the momentum going. He has been wildly successful in the SEC, averaging nine wins at Mississippi State across nearly a decade, including an improbable 10-win season and back-to-back double digit win seasons at Florida.

The Tigers may finally see sustained success as a program provided the boosters can stay in their lanes for once.

Jeff Sumrall, LSU

Army Black Knights head coach Jeff Monken greets Troy Trojans head coach Jon Sumrall after a 19-0 win by Troy at Michie Stadium. / Danny Wild-Imagn Images

This quickly became the least desirable job in all of college athletics in terms of chatter among college coaches and agents. Sumrall is the best of what's left and that's pretty much because he's already in Lousiana dealing with this wacky, power hungry governor overstepping his bounds despite being at a private school.

If the Tigers can't get Sumrall, it's a massive drop off afterward. We're talking Ed Orgeron or Mike Gundy level drop off at LSU.

Alex Golesh, Arkansas

South Florida Bulls running back Cartevious Norton (5) is congratulated by South Florida Bulls head coach Alex Golesh after he ran the ball in for a touchdown against the Charlotte 49ers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Auburn choosing to go with a more SEC experienced Dan Mullen, the Razorbacks settle on South Florida head football coach Alex Golesh.

Golesh has multiple direct and indirect ties to Arkansas. His wife is from Greenwood and the Hogs have had huge success with former Bulldogs on the team roster.

It may rattle Hogs fans a little having a native Russian heading the program, but it's been a long time since Golesh lived in Moscow. His success at South Florida may not be enough to convince Arkansans he's the man for the job, but his time as offensive coordinator at Tennessee should be.

During the 2021 season, Golesh and his Volunteers offense, with Hendon Hooker at the helm for most of the year, destroyed eight team single-season records, including points (511), total offensive yards (6,174), touchdowns (67), point after touchdowns made (67), total first downs (316), rushing first downs (164), fewest interceptions thrown (3) and passing efficiency (167.10).

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