The college football job market is treading on a tightrope presently. Week 5 passed by with its own set of victories and upsets, and the Arkansas coaching staff is facing the brunt. Sam Pittman has been fired by the program. But the AD wants to clean house. The program has also fired three defensive coaches, including defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson.

At the time of his firing, Woodson’s contract stood at $700,000 per year. As the co-defensive coordinator, he shared the title with Travis Williams after inking a three-year deal with the program. Starting with $1.1 million in 2023, followed by an upward jump to $1.175 million in 2024. In the final year, which is 2025, the program owed him $1.25 million, according to the Arkansas Democratic Gazette.

Woodson was a Broyles Award nominee for the last two seasons since he took the coaching gig at Fayetteville. Prior to joining the Hogs, Woodson had worked with the Florida State Seminoles in the capacity of a defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator. He further worked across Auburn, Memphis, and Fresno State. Back in college, he played safety for Ole Miss before an injury put an end to his senior season.

This wasn’t the first time Woodson worked with Travis Williams. Back during his stint with the Tigers, Woodson served as the defensive backs coach, while Williams served as the co-defensive coordinator; both coaches worked under Gus Malzahn.

Both of Woodson’s former stints at Seminoles and the Tigers have been successful affairs. In 2020, with the Seminoles, he developed All-ACC selection Asante Samuel Jr. into one of the celebrated defensive backs in the nation, who was ultimately picked in the second round of the NFL Draft. With the Tigers, over two years, he helped win 17 games.

But his stacked resume buckles in the 2025 season. Especially during last week’s clash against Notre Dame, giving up 56 points. Over the last three losses, the defense allowed 129 points. With a 2-3 slate, they hit the bottom of the SEC ladder. Last in points at 30; last in rushing yards allowed per game at 168.0. In terms of the passing yards allowed per game, they are at 257. And the total yards allowed per game? 425.

After the upsetting performance last week, fans cried for a change. Trey Wallace of OutKick wrote. “It’s been fun covering Sam Pittman, but Arkansas looks lost, and apathy is going to set in for those fans,” he wrote on X. “This is Ugly.” Meanwhile, as the dust settles in Fayetteville, Bobby Petrino has stepped up as the interim head coach.

Bobby Petrino as the interim head coach

Bobby Petrino, in addition to taking up the head coaching duties, has further expressed interest in taking the head coaching position officially. “Bobby Petrino has demonstrated a track record of winning at Arkansas, and we hope he can bring the team together and lead them to finish the season strong. We will be cheering Bobby and the Razorbacks on!” Gov. Sarah Sanders said.

Petrino had been the former head coach of the Razorbacks from 2008 to 2011, leading the program to a 34-17 record over his four years. But an investigation put an end to his career. However, Sam Pittman hired him last season as the offensive coordinator. The Athletic Director, Yurachek,, said. “We will begin a national search for our next head coach immediately, and that search will include Coach Petrino, who has expressed his desire to be a candidate for the full-time job.””

He continued. “The goal for our football program is to be highly competitive within the Southeastern Conference and compete for a national championship,” the Athletic Director added after Pittman was fired. In the meantime,  Yurachek is on a hunt for the new face of the Arkansas head coach. SMU’s Rhett Lashlee’s name has popped up on the feeds.