In sports, the focus is always on progress—if you’re not moving forward, you’re falling behind. The same can be said for media coverage: if you’re not looking ahead, you’re stuck in the past. For Arkansas football, the Liberty Bowl victory over Texas Tech marked a solid finish to a 7-6 season, their third winning campaign under head coach Sam Pittman. It also solidified Pittman’s 3-0 record in bowl games. However, history has shown that a 7-6 season can quickly turn sour, as Arkansas witnessed with former coach Bret Bielema’s downfall after similar results.
The Razorbacks’ future now hinges on whether they can continue the upward trend, or if they’re on the cusp of a rough 2025 campaign. Enter Joey McGuire, the Texas Tech coach with deep ties to the Natural State. Despite his team’s Liberty Bowl loss, McGuire’s connection to Arkansas—having grown up a Razorbacks fan in Texarkana—could make him a leading candidate if Pittman’s tenure falters. “I’ve got a plastic Razorback hat at home,” McGuire admitted before the game. His passion for the program is undeniable, and it’s hard to ignore the possibility of him returning home to lead Arkansas.
While there’s no immediate talk of firing Pittman, who has overachieved with limited talent, Arkansas faces serious challenges heading into 2025. With a daunting schedule and roster questions, fans may grow increasingly impatient if the team falters. The Razorbacks open with two winnable games against Alabama A&M and Arkansas State, but tough matchups against Memphis, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, and a road trip to Tennessee could see Arkansas underdogs in most of their SEC contests. The possibility of a losing season looms, which could reignite calls for a coaching change.
Despite the criticism, Arkansas’ performance this season was impressive. The Razorbacks finished in the top 15 nationally in total offense and top half in defense, with quality wins over teams like Tennessee and a solid challenge against Texas A&M. Yet, as always, the complaints from fans continue, fueled by unrealistic expectations. If McGuire—or another coach—took over, he’d avoid the same level of criticism in his first season, and after all, McGuire is no stranger to dealing with pressure, having faced similar demands from Texas Tech fans.
Pittman has certainly faced his fair share of adversity, especially after being hired to clean up the mess left by a former Texas high school coach. Though he’s done a remarkable job, it’s clear that the chaos of modern college football—especially the shifting landscape with the transfer portal—could push him toward retirement after next year. That’s where McGuire’s future in Fayetteville comes into focus. At just 53 years old, McGuire has already proven his ability to build a successful program, and with the No. 2-ranked transfer portal class at Texas Tech, one can only imagine what he could do with the SEC’s brand behind him.
If Arkansas doesn’t overachieve again and struggles under Pittman in 2025, McGuire’s path to the Razorbacks could be clear. He’s already aiming for bigger goals, saying, “The only way it can be better is if Arkansas and Texas Tech are facing off in the playoffs.” That dream could become reality sooner than expected, possibly even in December 2025, with McGuire at the helm.
