Memphis’ Mike Norvell Favored to Be Arkansas Head Coach in 2020; Lane Kiffin +400, Gus Malzahn +1200
- Sportsbooks list Memphis coach Mike Norvell as the +200 favorite to replace Chad Morris as head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks
- Morris was fired after going 4-18 in less than two seasons in charge
- Arkansas (2-8) plays #1-ranked LSU this week
Saturday’s 45-19 drubbing at the hands of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers was the final embarrassment of the Chad Morris era with the Arkansas Razorbacks.
The Razorbacks fired Morris on Sunday. Barry Lunney Jr. was handed the interim head coach tag for the final two games of the college football season.
Who will be the next head coach of the Razorbacks? The early money is on Memphis head coach Mike Norvell.
Online betting sites list Norvell as the +200 favorite to be the next man in charge on the sideline for Arkansas. Appalachian State’s Eliah Drinkwitz (+300) and perennial candidate Lane Kiffin (+400) follow in line in this betting market.
Odds to be Arkansas Head Football Coach for Week 1 of 2020 NCAA Season
| Candidate | Odds |
|---|---|
| Mike Norvell | +200 |
| Eliah Drinkwitz | +300 |
| Lane Kiffin | +400 |
| Bill Clark | +500 |
| Mike Leach | +600 |
| Sonny Dykes | +600 |
| Hugh Freeze | +800 |
| Gus Malzahn | +1200 |
| Bobby Petrino | +1800 |
| Houston Nutt | +2500 |
Odds taken on November 11, 2019.
Morris is the second Power 5 conference coach to be fired in as many weeks. Florida State dismissed Willie Taggart last week.
More or Less, Morris Was Less
Last season, Morris posted the first two-win season in Razorbacks history since 1952. Then he said hold my beer.
He’d followed up 2-10 with 2-8 thus far this season. They’d lost seven in a row. Arkansas dropped its last three home games by a combined score of 150-53.
Arkansas has fired Chad Morris after going 4-18 in less than two seasons.
Tight ends coach/special teams coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. is expected to finish out the season as the Razorbacks' interim coach.
(via @ClowESPN) pic.twitter.com/xOBUrSFna3
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 10, 2019
It wasn’t just that Arkansas lost, it was the manner in which the Razorbacks lost and to who they lost to that ultimately doomed Morris to his fate. The Razorbacks had surrendered at least 45 points in each of their past four games.
In Saturday’s home loss to Western Kentucky, Arkansas needed a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to make it that close. Arkansas also dropped home games to San Jose State, North Texas and Vanderbilt during the Morris regime.
Arkansas was also 0-14 in the SEC under Morris.
Norvell Has Connections
Though he’s never worked for the Razorbacks, Norvell, 38, does have ties to the state from his time as a player at Central Arkansas. With his work at Memphis in his first head coaching stint, he’ll draw plenty of interest for any Power 5 opening.
Chad Morris officially fired at Arkansas. Five guys I’d strongly consider for Razorback job: Mike Leach, Lane Kiffin, Hugh Freeze, Mike Norvell, Joe Brady (wild card).
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) November 10, 2019
Memphis is 8-1 this season and has never won fewer than eight games in a season under Norvell. Overall, he’s 34-15 in charge. The Tigers captured successive AAC West titles with Norvell in charge in 2017-18. They finished the 2017 season ranked #25 in the Associated Press poll.
Leach Is Intriguing
Arkansas was a bowl game regular and a tough out for any school in the days when Frank Broyles and Lou Holtz were in charge. If the Razorbacks want to run with the top tier in the SEC, they’re going to need a big-name coach in order to pull top recruits away from the traditional powers.
Leach would be my #1 most realistic possibility. I realize they’ll want Gus… Norvell should scout the market before jumping to Arkansas. Don’t love Heupel there.
I think someone who thinks “out of the box” would work beautifully for Arkansas… thus, Leach. https://t.co/tTNImDVHxS
— Dari Nowkhah (@ESPNDari) November 11, 2019
Mike Leach coach be that kind of guy. He’s undoubtedly got a swagger. But he’d probably be more attracted to the Florida state job.
Others to Consider
Eli Drinkwitz has beaten two power five teams this year (North Carolina & South Carolina) but it is only his first season at App State. Bill Clark has worked wonders bringing a program back to life at UAB.
Give Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek credit: When he knows something needs to be fixed, he doesn't hesitate. He could have given Mike Anderson another year, but knew it wasn't getting better and made the move. Also, didn't hesitate on Chad Morris. Guy is, at the very least, decisive
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) November 10, 2019
Gus Malzahn isn’t the guy. He turned down Arkansas for Auburn, so what’s happened since that would change his mind?
Kiffin might not just be an afterthought. He’s done well with Florida Atlantic, and let’s face it, Arkansas is in a desperate position.
Bottom line, though, if Norvell wants the job, it’s probably his.
Pick: Mike Norvell (+200).
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
