The NEXT Coach

[Hogfan58]

I asked Grok what it thought our best options were.  It came back with:
1) Lashlee
2) Sumerall
3) Gus
4) Golesh

I asked specifically about Kinne and it put him as dark horse behind those 4 as options. 

Laslee does nothing for me. I've watched many SMU games and they look like like us, all offense and defense is an afterthought. Thats not going to work in the SEC.

[Barton Fink]

With a 9 game SEC slate, they will almost all be big games.

That said, we could hire worse.

[animal]

Pedo St wants to fire Pitbull.

I'm sure they'll be plenty of takers. 

[passed]

* improve prompt? *

Ask and ye shall receive.  Here's the prompt and response:

Based on performances and what you know of the Arkansas razorbacks, having just fired Sam Pittman, who would you recommend be the best new head coach options for the Arkansas football program? Ideally a young coach, and ignore regional ties in your analysis.

Arkansas Razorbacks Head Coaching Search: Top Young Recommendations Post-Pittman Firing
The Arkansas Razorbacks' decision to fire Sam Pittman on September 28, 2025—after a 2-3 start capped by a 56-13 rout at home against Notre Dame—signals a desperate pivot for a program mired in SEC irrelevance, with just one bowl win since 2021 and defensive collapses allowing 35+ points in three of five games this season. Pittman's 32-37 record stabilized the Hogs but couldn't deliver sustained contention, leaving AD Hunter Yurachek to target a transformative hire amid $100M+ facilities and NIL pressures. Focusing on young coaches (under 45) with proven program-building chops—based purely on on-field results, scheme innovation, and recruiting efficiency—here are my top four recommendations. These emphasize offensive firepower to offset talent gaps and defensive coordinators who've shown HC potential, drawn from emerging hot boards.
1. Rhett Lashlee (SMU Head Coach, Age 36) – Premier Young Innovator
    •    Performance Rationale: Lashlee has engineered SMU's meteoric rise, posting 25-13 over three seasons (including 11-3 and a CFP quarterfinal in 2024), with top-15 national offenses averaging 38.2 PPG via no-huddle spreads, RPOs, and vertical passing—directly addressing Arkansas's 24.8 PPG malaise. His 2019 SMU squad ranked 27th in SP+ efficiency, and he's elevated QBs like Preston Stone to 4,000-yard seasons, showcasing adaptability for SEC dual-threats.
    •    Pros: Explosive scheme masks defensive shortcomings (SMU's D improved 15% in points allowed from 2023-24); top-25 recruiting classes blending speed and size; low-risk youth for long-term buy-in.
    •    Cons: Limited HC tenure means untested in multi-year slumps; pass-heavy lean could expose run-game weaknesses against elite fronts.
    •    Fit Projection: Immediate 8-4 bump via tempo; $6-7M salary feasible with SMU's modest buyout.
2. Alex Golesh (South Florida Head Coach, Age 38) – Balanced Rebuilder
    •    Performance Rationale: Golesh flipped a 2-10 USF into 9-4 contenders in 2024 (projecting 8-4+ in 2025), ranking top-20 in total yards (425+ per game) with a pro-style attack emphasizing play-action boots and gap runs—rooted in his Tennessee OC success (2022 SEC East title share, 34.5 PPG). Defensively, he's upgraded from 95th to 55th in scoring allowance, proving holistic oversight.
    •    Pros: Versatile scheme suits pocket passers or scramblers; efficient recruiter (top-40 classes, high retention); embodies NIL-savvy energy without drama.
    •    Cons: G5 schedule inflates stats slightly; needs proven coordinators to scale SEC physicality.
    •    Fit Projection: Steady climb to 7-5 in Year 1, accelerating with Arkansas's O-line depth; affordable $4-5M entry point.
3. G.J. Kinne (Texas State Head Coach, Age 36) – Offensive Dynamo
    •    Performance Rationale: Kinne's transformed Texas State from 4-8 to 8-5 (2023 bowl win) and a projected 7-5+ in 2025, with back-to-back top-60 offenses (35.1 PPG) blending Air Raid quick games and zone reads—mirroring his Liberty OC explosion (11-2 in 2021, 13th in yards per play). He's boosted QB efficiency by 20% annually, turning middling talent into explosive units.
    •    Pros: High-tempo innovation creates mismatches; strong player development (e.g., Jordan McCloud's 3,500-yard jump); budget-friendly with G5 upside for rapid growth.
    •    Cons: Defenses lag (75th in points allowed); zero P5 head experience risks early growing pains.
    •    Fit Projection: Quick-strike offense for 7-5 debut; pairs well with a veteran DC hire for balance.
4. Jon Sumrall (Tulane Head Coach, Age 44) – Complete Program Architect
    •    Performance Rationale: Sumrall's delivered Tulane's best stretch in decades—23-4 through 2024 (Cotton Bowl berth), with balanced attacks averaging 37.2 PPG and top-25 defenses (18.5 points allowed). His Troy tenure (17-8, two bowls) featured Air Raid-gap hybrids that ranked top-10 in efficiency, sustaining success across talent levels.
    •    Pros: End-to-end control (offense up 12%, defense down 20% in scoring year-over-year); elite culture-builder with 85% retention; scalable to SEC without overhaul.
    •    Cons: Borderline "young" at 44; G5-to-P5 leap uncharted, though his Vanderbilt/Indiana coordinator roots provide polish.
    •    Fit Projection: 8-4 floor with bowl pedigree; $5M buyout leaves recruiting budget intact.
Quick Notes
    •    Avoids: Older retreads like Gus Malzahn (60) or splashy risks like Jon Gruden—prioritizing youth for a 5-7 year horizon over short-term hype.
    •    Path Forward: With Bobby Petrino interim through Ole Miss (Oct. 11), expect Yurachek to interview these by mid-October. A young hire like Lashlee could spark 40,000+ sellouts via offensive fireworks, but success hinges on poaching top coordinators. The Hogs need wins, not nostalgia—WPS.

[BASS]

Kingsbury might be interesting. He's a pretty good pro oc. Surely he's a more well rounded coach now than when he was at tech.

[BASS]

Golesh -usf
Ginne -tx st
Morris -N tx

[buff2.0]

Retards are gonna retard.  This is on nobville in response to Porkatarian being 100% wrong again, saying we didn't have the funds to fire Sam.

He wasn't wrong. At the time of his announcement, he told 100% truth. If the money was procured then, Sam would have known then.

I believe Yurachek was most likely in the process of letting those know who wanted Sam gone then the cost and that the funds weren't secured.

Sometime late last evening or this morning, someone decided it couldn't wait and let Yurachek know they would fund his removal.

[BleedinRed]

Wasn't it Briles' offense that could go up and down the field ... but only between the 20s, and then get inside red zone and completely collapse? Rope a dope, too much movement and get like one yard Briles?
He can take that to okie state.

Yes. And he like going east/west for three yard games.  He is a terrible OC.  

[buff2.0]

Briles' offense would move the ball 40 yards for a 3 yard gain.

[Son of Spam]

Yes. And he like going east/west for three yard games.  He is a terrible OC. 

Dont forget the triple handoff, fake pass, run for a 6 yard loss at the most inappropriate time. Always some dumbassed trick play to seal our fate.

[BASS]

Can we all agree that we do not want a coach with no head coaching experience?

Anyone else think Kingsbury could do well here with nil?

He'd make the panties drop faster than Joey freshwater.

[jdcatty]

Saban with Bobby as OC.

More seriously, I hope we swing for the fences. We landed Cal.

Bret was a disaster but he had a great record at Wisconsin and we snatched him from there (as opposed to the unemployment line).

If Bobby finds the old spark for the rest of this season, I'm good giving him back the keys that never should have been taken from him.


I just want no part of the Gus family of coaches.

Here you go:

https://x.com/boardgeniuses/status/1972349971652596129?

[BleedinRed]

Can we all agree that we do not want a coach with no head coaching experience?

Anyone else think Kingsbury could do well here with nil?

He'd make the panties drop faster than Joey freshwater.

Failed head coach.  No thanks.  

[Show-Me Hog]

Retards are gonna retard.  This is on nobville in response to Porkatarian being 100% wrong again, saying we didn't have the funds to fire Sam.

He was right but things changed.

Brought to you by 104.5, Only Classic Oldies.

[BleedinRed]

Here you go:

https://x.com/boardgeniuses/status/1972349971652596129?

80 year old head coach.  No thanks.  

[Son of Spam]

Here you go:

https://x.com/boardgeniuses/status/1972349971652596129?

Saban has more money than Jefferson Davis. He ain't coming out of that cushy job he has on Gameday to get back into the grind of coaching again. He is still a better coach than 99% of the ones in the field today, but I think he is comfortable and is a hero in Bama. Hell, he owns the state.

[Pumpkin Escobar]

I'd like a younger coach who can navigate this new reality in college football, not a older guy like Gundy or Gus. I'd be fine with Lashlee, Sumrall, Golesh or Silverfield. Honestly, we need to replace Yuracheeks. Instead of someone whining and crying, we need someone who can raise money.

[BASS]

Failed head coach.  No thanks. 

I didn't say a failed head coach. I'd like a young up and comer that had head man experience over a coordinator.

[vegashog]

from the athletic via bruce feldman:

SMU's Rhett Lashlee

Lashlee has the support of one of the biggest Hogs supporters. Industry sources told The Athletic this weekend that Jerry Jones — as in the Dallas Cowboys owner and former Razorbacks offensive lineman — and his family are squarely behind getting Lashlee to Arkansas. The 42-year-old Arkansas native, a former Razorbacks quarterback, is 31-14 at SMU and led the Mustangs to the College Football Playoff last season.

We suspect it's his job if he wants it. Can he turn it down? He has a lot of traction at SMU after going 11-3 last season. However, at 2-2 this season, would he consider the timing ideal if he were ever to return home?

A path to the CFP seems much more manageable from the ACC via Dallas than it does from the SEC via Fayetteville, where the job feels like it ranks in the bottom-third of the league. That's behind Alabama, Texas, Georgia, LSU, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Florida, Ole Miss and probably Auburn and maybe Missouri.

history repeating itself?

[Son of Spam]

Jones needs to stay out of it.