5 potential replacements for Chad Morris at Arkansas

1. Skip Holtz, Louisiana Tech head coach

Holtz has had consistent success at Louisiana Tech, with a winning record in six straight seasons now (7-1 this season, with a loss to Texas in the season opener). Over the last 15 seasons, at East Carolina, South Florida and Louisiana Tech, he is on track to deliver a winning record 11 times.

Despite his famous last name, Holtz has operated under the radar without really being mentioned as a candidate for bigger jobs. He is under contract at Louisiana Tech through 2023, with one year tacked for eight-win seasons (so 2024 as a practical matter, with eight wins looking like a formality this year). His buyout is truly insignificant though ($100,000? at the end of this season), which will be a prominent factor for Arkansas if they dismiss Morris.

It’s unclear if Holtz has any desire to leave Louisiana Tech, but Arkansas may be a special case if the job were open. His father Lou was head coach there from 1977-1983, with a 60-21-2 record and six bowl bids (including trips to the Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl). On the backdrop of the last chunk of years, under Bielema and now Morris, that looks like a level of success Arkansas may never reach again.

If Arkansas were to call, in a broad sense beyond his father’s history there, Holtz would probably have to listen. And all things considered, assuming they fire Morris, of course, they should have a lot of interest in him.

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