5 potential replacements for Chad Morris at Arkansas

4. Gus Malzahn, Auburn head coach

Arkansas wanted Malzahn badly two years ago, as Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports reported they were ready to make him an offer of $50 million over seven years. But coming off a 10-win season in 2017, including a win over Alabama, Auburn gave him a seven-year, $49 million deal to stay.

The Tigers have lost two of their last three games, albeit to Florida and LSU on the road, but any thought of a making it to a major bowl game this year is fading. An Auburn mega-booster is apparently ready to target former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops to replace Malzahn if they don’t beat Alabama this year.

There was some effort by boosters at Auburn to gather money to pay Malzahn’s $30 million buyout after last year’s disappointing 8-5 record. At the end of this season, that buyout will still be more than $27 million. But the warm seat Malzahn always sits on will probably heat up again with a couple more losses down the stretch, with Georgia and of course, Alabama left on the schedule.

Malzahn is from Arkansas and made his initial coaching hay at the high school level in the state. It’s unlikely he’ll be available, if only due to his massive buyout, but there’s a chance he is and if he is Arkansas should be interested.