The Arkansas Razorbacks are having a terrible season in 2025 with a 2-8 record, including being winless in the Southeastern Conference at 0-6. This lackluster performance led to head coach Sam Pittman’s firing on Sept. 28, after a 56-13 home defeat to Notre Dame.
Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino was named as the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025 season while the Razorbacks continue the search for their next head coach. Amid all the possible names in the hat, a potential contender includes one of Alabama’s coaches.
Arkansas Reportedly Targeting Alabama Coach as Potential Successor to Sam Pittman
In “That SEC Podcast,” Mike Bratton spoke with Outkick’s Trey Wallace about the current coaching carousel in college football. Bratton said that while Kalen DeBoer is expected to remain at Alabama, he may be in danger of losing both of his coordinators, with one possibly heading to Arkansas.
“I’m hearing, I’m just kind of curious if you’re hearing the same things that Arkansas is eyeing defensive coordinator Kane Wommack to possibly be the next head coach of the Razorbacks,” Bratton said.
“And then it’s an open secret that if Jedd Fisch were to leave Washington, perhaps for Florida, if they miss on (Lane) Kiffin, that they’re going to hire (Alabama offensive coordinator) Ryan Grubb. So DeBoer could be going into year three with a completely new coordinator staff. Again, it’s just that it makes that situation not untenable, but it’s just a make-or-break year with two new coordinators.”
Wommack joined DeBoer’s Alabama staff in 2024, helping guide the Crimson Tide to a 9-4 record. His defense finished tenth nationally in scoring defense at 17.4 points allowed per game and was exceptional at forcing turnovers, generating 20 of its 28 takeaways in the final eight games.
Alabama’s 2025 season has brought some early inconsistency, especially against the run. However, Wommack’s defense still ranks No. 13 in PFSN’s CFB Defense Impact metrics and remains a major factor in Alabama’s playoff push. Even in the Crimson Tide’s 23-21 loss to Oklahoma last week, his unit kept the game tight, surrendering only 212 total yards and 4.1 yards per play.
Wommack can be a perfect fit for the Arkansas head coaching role. He played fullback for the Razorbacks in 2005 and 2006, contributing to the 2006 team that claimed the SEC West title.
Wommack also brings head coaching experience from his tenure at South Alabama from 2021 to 2023. His father, Dave Wommack, previously served as Arkansas’ defensive coordinator from 2002 to 2004.
Besides Wommack, other potential Arkansas candidates include Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield, former NFL coach Jon Gruden, ex-Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, and current Virginia head coach Tony Elliott.
We might as well hire him….we are going to be sick anyway.