Rough Road Ahead for Program if Guiton Can't Find Success as Hogs' Coordinator
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – It may seem illogical, but there are Razorback fans out there who hope Arkansas coach Sam Pittman fails so hard over the final four games that athletics director Hunter Yurachek has no choice but to let him go.
As Marvel's Loki so wisely said in the most recent episode of Season 2, it's easier to burn it all to the ground than to fix it and some people are just looking for the easiest path. However, two out of three phases of Arkansas' game are functioning at a high level, so the logical thing is to hope things can be fixed in the third phase – in this case, offense – which would move this program closer to sustained success rather than blowing everything up.
This means not only does Pittman go, but all the players who have shown they can compete at a high level in the SEC probably go also. However, if Guiton can prove it was Dan Enos all along, the odds of elite players staying on both sides of the ball go up dramatically. It also makes it easier to hold onto what has turned out to be a rather solid recruiting class.
If Guiton can turn things around, he's got a loaded quarterback room to work with going into next year with Jacolby Criswell, Malachi Singleton and KJ Jackson and should have a system to is a little more friendly to offensive linemen. He's also stacked at tight end with players so talented they can be productive under Enos.
It should also be noted that those running backs didn't suddenly forget how to dominate the SEC. It was scheme. And from what Isaiah Augustave has already flashed, the future is bright if Guiton can do what it takes to keep him around.
Also, don't forget Rashod Dubinion and AJ Green still have plenty of eligibility and a pre-Enos resume that suggests elite talent. Essentially, Enos was handed the parts to an Escalade and ended up building the car from the Flintstones. With the improvement on defense, if Guiton can at least muster a reliable 1990s Toyota Corolla, this team has a shot down the stretch.
Plus, it's Guiton who will be going into homes as offensive coordinator instead of Enos. One thing this team desperately needs is elite SEC level receivers. It's hard to imagine Enos and Guiton in the same room talking to a big time receiver and Enos lands him over Guiton. The youthful energy, ability to connect with the current generation, and credibility that comes from having started at a top tier program like Ohio State gives Guiton a large edge over a journeyman like Enos.
That energy and credibility in recruiting and on the practice field is exactly why the defense has turned around under Travis Williams and his staff. If that can be harnessed on the offensive side of the ball as well, then there will finally be a legitimate reason for Arkansas fans to dream once again because this team is only a slightly below average offense away from being 7-1 this season with wins over Alabama and LSU on the road.
If the next four weeks fail, then the burn it down portion of the fan base gets its wish. What follows is a long, drawn out coaching search where we hear a lot of names of people who don't want the job before an underwhelming hire comes on, awkwardly tries a Hog call, is too late to the job to cobble together a respectable recruiting class and spends the next few years chasing the tails of everyone else in recruiting.
The program is reset back to 2020, except this time the coach most likely doesn't have the passion for the program and the state Pittman has. The best bet for fans is a rebound of the season, followed eventually by Pittman handing the reins over to Williams after a successful season that steadies the program.
It may not be the path certain areas of the fan base want to see, but, again, these are people who think Deion Sanders is going to leave Colorado to come to Fayetteville. In the end, Guiton fixing the offense is the best way forward if it can happen. The light at the end of the tunnel is hope in that scenario. If he can't show significant progress by the time Missouri comes to town, that light will be a train and everyone can meet right back here in three to four years if they're lucky to discuss who the fifth Razorback coach in just short of a decade will be.
HOGS FEED:
SEC SHORTS: ARKANSAS HALLOWEEN COSTUME SUMS UP ENTIRE SEASON SO FAR
IF PLAYERS WANTS RESPECT, FANS IN STANDS, THEN THEY HAVE TO GO EARN IT AGAINST FLORIDA GATORS
ARKANSAS NEEDS TO FIND WAY TO PULL UPSET SATURDAY, CAN'T AFFORD TO FINISH IN SEC BASEMENT
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