Paul Finebaum Weighs In on Arkansas Coaching Search Amid James Franklin Rumors
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As this college football season progresses, several prominent coaching positions are available. Notable teams like the Penn State Nittany Lions, LSU Tigers, Auburn Tigers and Florida Gators are expected to see significant changes this offseason.
One job that hasn’t received much attention lately is the head coaching position for the Arkansas Razorbacks, which was vacated by the firing of Sam Pittman. Over his six seasons, Pittman had a record of 32-34. However, following a 2-3 start to this season, the athletic department decided it was time to pursue a new direction.
The question is who will replace Pittman as the head coach. According to BetOnline, the leading candidate is Ryan Silverfield, the head coach of the Memphis Tigers, with odds of +200. Silverfield boasts a 50-22 record and a 4-0 record in bowl games over his six seasons at Memphis, and he has the Tigers performing well this season with an 8-2 record, following two successful seasons of 10-3 and 11-2. The second-best odds are for former Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin, listed at +225.
On “The Matt Barrie Show,” Paul Finebaum from the SEC Network expressed uncertainty about who will ultimately be in Fayetteville while making a comment about Franklin.
“Arkansas is just, who is truly left?” Finebaum said. “I mean, I can’t tell you how many times I heard last week that James Franklin had a job and it turned out not to be true.”
Despite a challenging conclusion, Franklin had a successful run in Happy Valley, finishing his 12-season tenure with a record of 104-45. Last season, he elevated the Nittany Lions to new heights by leading them to their first College Football Playoff appearance, where they advanced all the way to the semifinals.
This year, Penn State entered the season ranked No. 2 in the country with expectations for a national championship. However, they started the season 3-3 under Franklin, leading the university to fire him. Since his departure, the team has lost all three of its subsequent games and faces the risk of not qualifying for a bowl game.
With multiple high-profile programs still searching for coaches, Arkansas may choose patience over panic, but as Finebaum hinted, the race for top candidates is tightening by the week.
Related: David Pollack Reveals Name to Watch for the Arkansas Head Coaching Job
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Nov 12, 2025, where it first appeared in the College section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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