Bobby Petrino Fired: Who Will Be the Next Arkansas Razorbacks Head Coach?

Tuesday evening, Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long sent shock waves throughout college football by firing head coach Bobby Petrino in the wake of his motorcycle accident last week.   

While several questions will appear in the aftermath of this scandal, the one of immediate concern to Razorbacks fans is who will succeed Petrino and take charge of a team many expect to be a contender in the SEC West this fall?  

Given the timing of this decision, Arkansas will likely have few choices to attract a big name candidate, and will most likely promote from within (like Ohio State did with Luke Fickell following Jim Tressel’s unexpected departure).  

However, Arkansas has quietly become one of the nation’s most successful programs—ironically due in large part to Petrino—and should be an prestigious enough job to attract quality candidates.

Here are the odds on who will become the next head coach at Arkansas.

Jimmy Johnson

Johnson lettered as a defensive lineman on the Razorbacks' 1964 national championship team, and later returned as Arkansas’ defensive coordinator from 1973-76 before launching his successful career as a head coach in college and in the NFL.  

While its highly unlikely for Johnson to return to coaching—he left the Miami Dolphins in 1999—Long could do worse than giving a Hall of Fame-caliber coach a courtesy call.  

Odds:  100-1

Gus Malzahn

This time last season, Malzahn—who rose to prominence as a high school coach at Springdale (AR) High School—seemed to be the hottest assistant coach in the country after his offense propelled Auburn to the 2010 national title.

A year later, the Tigers fizzled without Cam Newton and Malzahn left to take a job in his home state—at Arkansas State.  

The Razorbacks' former offensive coordinator (2006) has familiarity with the SEC and is a gifted recruiter—which could help him slide up the list for the Arkansas brain trust in this search.  

Odds:  25-1

Gary Patterson

The TCU head coach has turned away suitors year after year to remain in Fort Worth, and considering how he’s built that program—and their move into the Big 12—it's unlikely that he would leave the Horned Frogs at this point.  

However, his connections recruiting Texas and his focus on defense and discipline could be high priorities for Long, considering what he just went through with Petrino.  

Odds:  20-1

Paul Haynes

Haynes is new to Arkansas, leaving Ohio State to take over as defensive coordinator in December of 2011. 

The Razorbacks' strong performance against Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl and his history of coaching elite defensive backs could pay off in landing Haynes a shot at the job on an interim basis. 

Odds:  17-1

Garrick McGee

The toughest part of letting Petrino go is trying to find someone to duplicate his offense. 

Hiring McGee—Arkansas’ offensive coordinator the last two seasons—might be the best choice to solve that problem.

McGee, hired by UAB after last season, may not have head-coaching experience, but he may end up being a prime candidate if Long misses on bigger name targets.  

Odds:  15-1

Skip Holtz

Holtz turned around the East Carolina program before bolting for South Florida, where he’s compiled a 13-12 record in two seasons with the Bulls.

His connection to Arkansas is through his father Lou, who served as the Razorbacks' head coach from 1977-83.

Skip graduated from high school in Fayetteville, and one would think he would jump at the opportunity to coach in the SEC.

Odds:  10-1

Taver Johnson

Like Haynes, Johnson arrived in Fayetteville after leaving Ohio State to become the assistant head coach and linebackers coach. 

In the aftermath of the firing, ESPN’s Joe Schad tweeted about players supporting the promotion of either Haynes or Johnson

@schadjoe Some Arkansas players are asking AD Jeff Long to consider promoting Haynes or Johnson on staff

With Johnson holding the assistant head coaching title, he likely gets the edge if the job is awarded on an interim basis. 

Odds:  3-1 

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