Former Auburn Tigers offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham is a "dream" candidate for the Arkansas Razorbacks. But he's not too unaffordable that he can't be swayed to Fayetteville for the right price, at least according to Razorbackers' Austin Farmer.
While flashier names like the SMU Mustangs' Rhett Lashlee, the Indiana Hoosiers' Curt Cignetti, Jon Gruden, and even Nick Saban were floated by Farmer, Dillingham was the best of the bunch from his "high picks" group to replace Sam Pittman.
"Perhaps one coach that could be in the "Dream Scenario" group is Kenny Dillingham. Still, if the price is right, Arkansas may be able to sway him away from Temple, Ariz. He's a first-time head coach at Arizona State, but in his second season, he led the Sun Devils to a Big 12 championship in the program's first season in the conference and a CFP appearance," Farmer wrote.
The Arkansas job could also make sense for Dillingham's boss on the Plains back in 2019, current Florida State Seminoles offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, if the program doesn't retain interim head football coach Bobby Petrino.
“A name consistently connected with the Arkansas job for two decades, Malzahn has only coached one season at the school after successful coaching stints at multiple high school programs in the state. That tenure as the Razorbacks offensive coordinator in 2006 preceded similar jobs at Tulsa and Auburn. He is best known for his time as Auburn head coach when he took the Tigers to the Bowl Championship Series title game in his first season before departing after his eighth year. Malzahn spent four years at Central Florida before moving to his current job with Florida State last offseason. With 105 wins and 10 bowl appearances, he's an experienced hand with Arkansas roots,” USA Today’s Erick Smith wrote.
Hugh Freeze could make sense for the Razorbacks if he's fired by the Tigers. He'd be a cheaper coaching candidate if he hits the market, considering Auburn would be paying his buyout.
Conversely, Pittman would be a strong candidate for the Tigers' OL coach job. Certainly, in light of recent events, Jake Thornton's job security may be in question.