With Arkansas now deep in the hunt for its next head coach, the question around Fayetteville isn’t if the Razorbacks will look to the Group of Five ranks, it’s which rising star could be their next program-builder.
The recent success of Curt Cignetti at Indiana has rewritten the blueprint for hiring: proven leaders from outside the Power Four can bring fresh energy, strong developmental systems, and modern schemes that revitalize struggling programs.
This season, five names stand out as potential climbers. These coaches have built winners, developed talent, and inspired belief within their programs: Alex Golesh (USF), Jon Sumrall (Tulane), Ryan Silverfield (Memphis), Eric Morris (North Texas), and Spencer Danielson (Boise State).