Arkansas coaching rumors: Gus Malzahn to the Razorbacks?

Could Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn head to the Arkansas Razorbacks? It appears that this story has some legs. As the rumor mill spins, the mothership’s Jason Kirk reported Thursday that this decision could hinge on the result of the looming Iron Bowl between the Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide.

If Auburn loses to Alabama, there’s a strong chance Gus Malzahn leaves for Arkansas.

That’s according to a person with direct knowledge, who requested not to be named, in order to speak freely.

There are a lot of factors swinging this into place. For one, Malzahn’s relationship with the now former Auburn AD Jay Jacobs was not great. Which Kirk entailed in his article above. There’s also the fact that Arkansas AD Jeff Long was fired yesterday from his post. That could mean whoever is in charge could send head coach Bret Bielema packing.

And, um, apparently Long may have been standing in the way of Arkansas pursuing Malzahn. At least if the linked report from FootballScoop is to be believed.

You can question the benefits and cons for Malzahn if he were to leave. Auburn’s a pretty solid job, and Gus has them as high as high can be (they did, after all, get to the National Championship in 2013, and now may make a run at the CFB Playoff).

We have already seen the heights of what Arkansas can be, which they arguably reached when they made the Sugar Bowl a few years ago.

Malzahn obviously has roots in the state, having coached in the state at both the high school and collegiate level. He served as Razorbacks offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach in 2006 and then was the head man with the Arkansas State Red Wolves in 2012 before jumping to his current post on The Plains.

Nevertheless, the coaching carousel has taken another drastic spin today. Time will tell to see if this goes anywhere.