Gus Malzahn may be most closely tied to Auburn in the minds of SEC fans-after all, he led the Tigers from 2013 to 2020 and helped engineer their offense during the Cam Newton era-but his coaching roots also run through Fayetteville. Back in 2006, Malzahn served as Arkansas’ offensive coordinator, a one-year stint that still connects him to the Razorbacks’ program nearly two decades later.
Now, in the wake of his retirement from coaching, Malzahn is offering some perspective on a program that’s desperate for a turnaround. Arkansas is coming off a brutal 2025 campaign, one that ended with the dismissal of Sam Pittman. The Razorbacks have since turned to Ryan Silverfield, hoping the former Memphis head coach can breathe life into a team that’s lost its footing in the SEC.
Malzahn, who wrapped up his coaching career as the offensive coordinator at Florida State, believes the right pieces are still in place for Arkansas to rise again. Speaking on The Chuck & Bo Show, a go-to platform for Razorback faithful, Malzahn didn’t hold back his optimism about what Silverfield might be able to build in Fayetteville.
“Indiana winning the whole thing this year gives a blueprint for everybody in college football,” Malzahn said, pointing to the Hoosiers’ improbable national title run as proof that programs outside the traditional power structure can still break through. “When everything comes together at Arkansas, the sky’s the limit. They could do the same thing as Indiana.”
That’s not just lip service. Malzahn referenced the Razorbacks’ proud history under legendary coach Frank Broyles, a reminder that this program has climbed the mountain before. And with the right leadership and alignment, he believes it can get there again.
Malzahn also made it clear he’s a believer in Silverfield. The two have crossed paths frequently over the years, and Malzahn came away impressed with what he saw from the new Arkansas head coach.
“He’s a good football coach, there’s no doubt about it,” Malzahn said. “When you coach against somebody, you know if they’re a good coach or not.
He’s a really good coach. We’ll definitely be rooting for him, as far as that goes.”
So now, the focus shifts to Silverfield and his staff. The challenge in front of them is steep-rebuilding a program that’s taken its lumps in recent seasons-but there’s no shortage of belief from those who’ve walked the same sideline.
For Malzahn, the headset is officially off, and his days of drawing up plays are behind him. But his passion for the game-and for places like Arkansas where he left a mark-clearly hasn’t faded.
As the Razorbacks enter a new era, they do so with a coach who has believers in his corner and a blueprint, however improbable, to follow. If Indiana can do it, why not Arkansas?