The Auburn Tigers weren't the only SEC program that had to pivot to a Plan B option once Jon Sumrall chose the Florida Gators last November. Alex Golesh, who's now at the helm on the Plains, was nearly the Arkansas Razorbacks' head coach.
CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello explained on Wednesday's edition of the Chuck & Bo Show that Auburn and Arkansas were both part of the reshuffling that took place last November after things seemed clear before a late-month shift.
"Alex Golesh practically was going to be the head coach at Arkansas if Jon Sumrall doesn't get that look from Florida. I mean, the way it was all set up, John Sumrall was heading to Auburn, guys. And then, you know, the dominoes fell the way they did. And that's nothing against Ryan Silverfield, but it's just amazing how quickly things can change," Marcello said.
Golesh had a very clear explanation for why he chose the Tigers over the Razorbacks and forced Arkansas to go with Ryan Silverfield: there was only a chance to win a championship in East Central Alabama, not Northwest Arkansas.
"How many other places can say that there's still 88,000 in the stadium every week through that? How many places can say there's 40,000 for a spring game after all of that? Are the fans tired? Yeah, they're tired. I have met with every big money donor in the last six months, and man, they're tired. They're sick of it. But they're still willing to help. They're still willing to be involved, which is why I took this job — because I felt like you genuinely can do it," Golesh said.
Golesh got the chance to address his team on Tuesday during 2026 SEC Football Media Days, while Sumrall took the stage Wednesday and caused a ruckus over an honest mistake from a reporter.
Silverfield takes the stage Thursday to what will easily be the least fanfare of the bunch. There's an evergreen reason for that.
Arkansas is a much worse opportunity for Alex Golesh than Auburn
There's a very long list of reasons why Auburn is a superior job for Golesh than Arkansas. There's hardly a comparison between the quality of life, and Alabama's in-state recruiting base will always be miles above Arkansas's. Even with the competition from the Crimson Tide up north.
The Razorbacks run the Natural State, but that isn't much of a victory. It is in basketball, but there is a low talent-base in football, especially compared to the talent-rich states surrounding it, like Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
Golesh will have a much easier time coaching the Tigers. There's meddling boosters, sure, but he would've had that with the Hogs. Worse yet, he would've had less financial support, since basketball is such a heavy financial focus at UArk. Not that it isn't in Auburn, but the standards on the hardwood are even higher for the Hogs. Hence, John Calipari's hiring in 2024.
It may be a long time before Arkansas ever figures it out in football. It truly wasn't long ago when AU was near the top of the SEC. It's just been so many years in a row where they weren't close.
Sorry, that word shouldn't be used in the Golesh era. Still, the Tigers are a lot closer to having sustained success than the Razorbacks ever will be.
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