Arkansas Could Break a 20-Year Curse—If They Hire THIS Former Auburn Coach Instead of Bobby Petrino

The Arkansas Razorbacks are at a crossroads. After years of disappointment, false starts, and coaching carousel chaos, the program finds itself on the verge of making a decision that could either continue their two-decade wait for SEC relevance—or finally end it. While many fans and insiders have speculated that Bobby Petrino might be in line for a dramatic return to Fayetteville, there’s a different, far more intriguing option on the table: hiring a former Auburn Tigers head coach. This bold move could be the key to resurrecting Arkansas football and ending years of frustration, heartbreak, and mediocrity.

The Razorbacks haven’t been a serious contender in the SEC since the early 2000s, when Darren McFadden and Felix Jones electrified the nation. Since then, it’s been a rough ride. The once-proud program has cycled through head coaches, struggled to keep up in recruiting, and failed to consistently compete with the conference’s elite. Even moments of promise under coaches like Petrino, Bret Bielema, and Sam Pittman have fizzled out before ever fully materializing into national relevance. Fans are hungry. The program is desperate. And it’s time for a change that goes beyond the obvious.

That’s where the name Gus Malzahn enters the conversation. The former Auburn head coach, who led the Tigers to a national championship appearance in 2013 and consistently battled with the SEC’s best, brings exactly the kind of pedigree and offensive firepower Arkansas needs. Unlike Petrino, who carries significant off-field baggage and a complicated history with the program, Malzahn offers a fresh start—with deep Arkansas roots to boot. A native of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and a former high school coaching legend in the state, Malzahn has always had a connection to Razorback country.

Many forget that Malzahn’s college coaching career actually began at Arkansas as offensive coordinator under Houston Nutt. His departure was marred by internal drama and philosophical clashes, but the seeds of his offensive genius were planted in Fayetteville. He went on to revolutionize the college game, first at Tulsa and then at Auburn, where his up-tempo, no-huddle offense brought the Tigers to national prominence. Under his watch, Auburn beat Nick Saban multiple times—something few coaches can claim—and consistently produced top-tier talent.

Now, with Malzahn coaching at UCF in the Big 12, the timing might be perfect for a return to the SEC. The move to Arkansas would allow him to come home, take over a program in desperate need of identity, and restore a sense of purpose that’s been missing for far too long. He knows the landscape, he knows the culture, and most importantly, he knows how to win. Unlike Petrino, who represents a backward glance at a controversial past, Malzahn offers hope for a future built on integrity, energy, and innovation.

Let’s be clear—this is not a knock on Petrino’s coaching acumen. The man can coach offense with the best of them. But his previous tenure at Arkansas ended in scandal, one that set the program back for years. Rehiring him may create a short-term spark, but it also risks dragging the university back into a media firestorm that overshadows anything on the field. It’s the kind of decision that may energize some fans but could ultimately divide the program and stall momentum. Malzahn, on the other hand, brings no such baggage. His record speaks for itself. And more importantly, his leadership style aligns better with the modern demands of running a college football program.

Recruiting is another area where Malzahn could immediately elevate Arkansas. His name carries weight across the South, and he has longstanding relationships with high school coaches in Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. At Auburn, he routinely signed elite talent and developed players into NFL-caliber stars. If given the keys to the Razorback program, Malzahn could revive the recruiting pipeline and keep top in-state prospects from leaving for other SEC schools. His dynamic offense would also attract high-profile quarterbacks and skill players looking to put up big numbers and get noticed on Sundays.

There’s also something to be said about cultural fit. Malzahn understands Arkansas—not just the state, but the Razorback fanbase. He knows the pride, the passion, and the pressure that comes with leading this program. He wouldn’t need a crash course in SEC culture. He’s lived it, thrived in it, and beaten the best in it. That experience matters. When you’re going toe-to-toe with the likes of Saban, Kirby Smart, Brian Kelly, and Lane Kiffin, you need a coach who’s not intimidated by the spotlight. Malzahn has been there. Petrino’s time in the SEC ended a decade ago. The game has changed.

Financially, the move would also make sense. While Malzahn is well-compensated at UCF, Arkansas is an SEC program with resources to match or exceed his current deal. And if the administration is serious about ending this endless rebuild cycle, they’ll be willing to invest in a coach who can deliver results immediately. Malzahn isn’t a gamble—he’s a proven commodity. Petrino, even if he wins, comes with the kind of risk that could implode the program if things go sideways.

It’s also worth considering how the national media would react to each hire. Bringing back Petrino would generate headlines—but not the good kind. It would be seen as a controversial, nostalgia-driven move that ignores the bigger picture. Hiring Malzahn, however, would be viewed as Arkansas getting serious. It would show that the university is ready to compete in the new era of college football, where offense, recruiting, and stability matter just as much as tradition.

The choice seems obvious, but in college football, the obvious choice is often the one most debated. Arkansas is standing at the edge of a cliff—staring down either another season of “what ifs” or a bold new direction that could finally bring them back into national conversations. Petrino might give them flash. Malzahn gives them substance.

So, Razorback Nation must ask itself: do we want to revisit the past, hoping for a different ending? Or do we want to build a new chapter—one with a coach who has the experience, respect, and recruiting firepower to actually take us where we’ve been trying to go for the last 20 years?

Gus Malzahn might not be the first name trending on message boards, but he should be the first name on Arkansas’s shortlist. He’s more than a safe hire—he’s the right hire. If the Razorbacks want to end the longest drought of relevancy in their modern football history, they don’t need to look backward.

They need to call Gus.