The Arkansas fanbase loves a prodigal son narrative more than anything else.
Whether it’s Tony Vitello, Chris Beard or Gus Malzahn, Razorback lore is filled with coaching “what ifs” across all three major sports.
The latest pipe dream Hog fans have latched on to involves SMU football coach Rhett Lashlee, the Springdale native who guided the Mustangs to the College Football Playoff in their first year in the ACC. Lashlee has won 11 games in each of the last two seasons and compiled a 29-12 record as the head coach in Dallas.
Lashlee is the ripest fruit on the Malzahn coaching tree, having played quarterback for him at Shiloh Christian High School and serving as his assistant coach at Springdale High School, Arkansas, two stints at Auburn and a season at Arkansas State.