Arkansas Offensive Coordinator Hot Board 1.0

Razorbacks search for new coordinator is underway, may have plenty of options.

Author:
Jacob Davis
Updated:
Nov 24, 2023 9:29 AM EST
Original:
Nov 24, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas got off to a promising 15-11 start under Sam Pittman, but that spiraled out of control quicker than anyone expected. Much of the blame was placed on offensive coordinator Dan Enos, who was fired mid-season.

That leaves Arkansas with an opening, and only one game left for current offensive coordinator Kenny Guiton to prove he deserves consideration going forward. Here is a cast of candidates to keep an eye on who could move around to various schools and become Arkansas offensive coordinator.

Kenny Guiton, Arkansas interim offensive coordinator

The former Ohio State quarterback turned Arkansas wide receiver coach has seen some success during his time as play caller the past three weeks. Following the ouster or Enos, Guiton was given the reigns to coordinate the Razorback offense. Outside of the anomaly against Auburn, Guiton has produced two solid game plans as the Hogs sit 2-1 since he took over.

What will it take for Arkansas to hire Guiton? The Razorbacks will have to play way above their heads against No. 9 Missouri. However, this game is at home and could be the final time KJ Jefferson suits up in a Cardinal and white uniform. Say the home team defeats a ranked college football playoff team, with an undeniable effort of offense. There has to be the thought of taking the interim tag off.

GJ Kinne, Texas State head coach

The Jeff Traylor coaching tree can't claim this one yet since Kinne hasn't coached under him. However, the current Bobcats head coach did play for Traylor as a high schooler at Gilmer, Texas. Kinne would bring an exciting brand of offensive football to Razorback Stadium as the Bobcats rank No. 13 in the FBS in yards per game (463), No. 39 in passing yards (263), No. 17 in rush yards (200) and No. 21 with 35 points per game.

How would he fit in at Arkansas? Kinne is a young up and comer with swag to match his coaching. What he doesn't bring is a bevy of experience as a head coach, but makes up with it due to his recruiting of the transfer portal to suit the needs of his program. Texas State brought in 39 transfers to kickstart a football program that had not experienced a bowl berth since 2014.

The former Tulsa quarterback was tutored well under the guidance of then Golden Hurricane offensive coordinator Malzahn to a tune of 9.472 yards and 81 career touchdowns during his collegiate career.

Tim Cramsey, Memphis offensive coordinator

The Tigers have been one of the more potent offenses in the country the past few seasons. The 48 year old is in his second season with Memphis and has directed them to No. 10 in passing yards (306), No. 16 in total offensive yards (454) and No. 10 in scoring (39 points per game).

The Pennsylvania native is considered to be a candidate for the same open position at Penn State. The Nittany Lions fired Mike Yurich following a dismal performance against Michigan on November 10.

Why Arkansas? He would have access to some of the best facilities and a rabid fanbase ready to see their team return to national relevance. While Cramsey’s Memphis offense doesn’t run the football as Pittman would like, the Razorbacks will return solid options at quarterback like Jacolby Criswell and Malachi Singleton — both were highly regarded 4-star’s coming out of high school.

Kinne is in the running for the Mississippi State head coaching job along with Liberty's Jamey Chadwell and Dave Doeren.

Ben Arbuckle, Washington State offensive coordinator

Arbuckle is in his first season as offensive coordinator at Washington State. The Cougars haven’t experienced quite the same offense he employed at Western Kentucky the previous few years.

Led by electric quarterback Cam Ward, Washington State sits No. 6 in the PAC 12 in total offense at 425 yards per game, No. 3 in passing at 339 passing yards and No. 5 in scoring with 33 points per game. Arbuckle took the Hilltoppers to great heights as the team finished No. 6 in total offense (497.3 ypg) and No. 15 in scoring (36.4 ppg), while quarterback Austin Reed led the nation in passing yards (4,746) and was No. 3 in passing touchdowns (40).

Sean Lewis, Colorado offensive coordinator, former Kent State head coach

While the 2023 season didn’t go totally as planned for the Buffaloes, Lewis’ name is still a respected one as an offensive alpha male. Colorado started the season red hot on his offense with a 3-0 start, shredding all defenses in front of them. While the collapse wasn’t exactly his fault, Lewis was stripped of his play calling duties following a blown 29-0 lead against Stanford in early November.

Before Coach Prime decided to make the switch from Lewis to Pat Shurmur, the Buffaloes offense averaged 32 points

As the head coach at Kent State, Lewis led them to two seven win seasons which should be considered a miracle considering the Golden Flashes had one winning season from 2001-2017 before his arrival.

Willy Korn, Liberty offensive coordinator

The Flames' offensive coordinator began his collegiate playing career under Clemson while a 4-star dual threat quarterback with the 2007 class. Korn has been groomed as a coach under Jamey Chadwell dating back to his time at FCS Charleston Southern when he was the wide receiver coach. The Liberty offense has been one of the best scoring offenses in the country averaging 40 points per game and ranked No. 8 in the country.

Korn places a premium on a run game that has rushed for 3100 yards which leads the nation. Their 7.1 yards per play makes them one of the most potent offenses in the country and ranks them No. 7 in the FBS. While Korn possesses potential as a rising coaching star, moving on from the Chadwell tree will be an interesting decision.

Brennan Marion, UNLV offensive coordinator

The odds of Arkansas landing Marion are slim because not only would Pittman be reluctant to steal a coordinator for his old friend Barry Odom, the rising star recently interviewed for the San Diego State head coaching job.

The Runnin' Rebels offensive coordinator is already one of the brightest stars in the sport. Marion is highly regarded in coaching circles and almost landed the Tulsa job following the 2022 offseason without experience as a coordinator. In Las Vegas, Marion has taken major advantage of the opportunity, helping guide the Rebels to a 9-2 record.

Marion finally landed on his feet as the OC at UNLV under Odom and has developed an electric offense in Las Vegas. The Rebels had only one winning season since 2001 before Barry Odom took over as head coach. An offensive wiz, Marion's offense sits No. 19 in yards per game (426). They lead the Mountain West in scoring at 36 points per game.

The only thing that may keep Marion from getting a Power Four OC job would be a head coaching gig. He is currently being considered for the vacant post at San Diego State following Brady Hoke's retirement.

The former Tulsa wide receiver was one of the most dynamic playmakers in college football during the 2007 season. Marion reeled in 39 passes for 1,244 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 32 yards per catch.