Chad Morris firing -- What's next for Arkansas

Like Florida State, Arkansas hoped to get a struggling coach to Year 3 and avoid paying a massive guarantee (around $10 million) with four years left on the contract. And, like Florida State, Arkansas had no choice but to reboot by booting its coach.

Chad Morris is out after a 22-game tenure every Arkansas fan would just as soon forget. Morris didn't win a single SEC game in 14 tries and suffered embarrassing losses to San Jose State, Colorado State, North Texas and Western Kentucky. He recorded only two wins against FBS opponents.

Arkansas endured its worst two-year stretch since 1952-53, when it won only five times in 20 games.

Given the struggles, Arkansas' next coach shouldn't face outsized expectations at the start. If Morris' successor can get Arkansas winning SEC games again and making bowls, he should have time to build. Still, Arkansas has pressure and politics like its SEC West brethren, as evidenced by the end to the coaching tenures of Houston Nutt and Ken Hatfield. Arkansas must compete against programs with more recent tradition and better access to talent. While the Hogs' next coach must be capable of recruiting Texas, Arkansas is competing against Jimbo Fisher's Texas A&M team, other SEC suitors, the Big 12 schools and others. Its current recruiting class is No. 23 in ESPN's national rankings, but the team hasn't had a top-20 class since 2011. "Arkansas is a brutal job," an industry source told me. "It's a hard job."

Here's a look at the Arkansas job and who could be the Head Hog in 2020.

The candidates

Tier 1

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn: He grew up in the state, started his college career at Arkansas and remains the dream candidate for many around the program. Arkansas' willingness to pursue Malzahn, 54, in 2017 pushed Auburn to grant him an incredible contract that some on the Plains now regret. He would owe Auburn $7 million if he left before Dec. 31, and $5 million after. Perhaps Malzahn wants to restart his clock in a more comfortable setting, Otherwise, it's hard to see him leaving so much money on the table at Auburn.

Memphis coach Mike Norvell: Although his ascent to the Power 5 has been a bit delayed, Norvell will get his opportunity soon and would be a great fit for Arkansas. He played college ball at Central Arkansas and began his coaching career at Tulsa, where he worked alongside Malzahn. The 38-year-old knows the area and would have a good recruiting plan. He's already one of the top offensive minds in the sport, and he also knows how to put together strong coaching staffs. Arkansas would have to make a convincing pitch, as Norvell is happy at Memphis and could be on Florida State's radar.

Washington State coach Mike Leach: Fans petitioned Arkansas to hire Leach two years ago and would welcome his unique approach. Leach, 58, has won consistently at have-not programs like Texas Tech and Washington State. He has never had the resources Arkansas would offer, and understands the Texas recruiting landscape after 10 years at Texas Tech (and a year as Oklahoma's offensive coordinator). Leach likely has one big move left. He's a risk-reward hire but could be exactly what Arkansas needs right now.

Tier 2

Boise State coach Bryan Harsin: Harsin has a low profile despite an incredibly impressive record at his alma mater (60-16), which includes two Mountain West titles and three top-25 finishes. Harsin, 43, also guided Arkansas State to a Sun Belt title in his only year in Jonesboro. He understands the recruiting landscape, having spent two years as Texas' co-offensive coordinator before taking the Arkansas State job. Harsin has turned down Power 5 jobs before. The question is whether he'd be interested in this one.

Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables: Arkansas had interest in Venables when it hired Morris and could pursue him again. The question is whether Venables, 48, would have real interest in coaching the Hogs. Some in the industry wonder if he truly wants to be a head coach, since he has a great situation at Clemson, where his son plays. If Venables wants to be a head coach, he should move relatively soon. Although he's never coached in the SEC, his time at Oklahoma and Clemson will help in recruiting and other areas.

Louisiana coach Billy Napier: It seems like only a matter of time before Napier returns to the SEC as a head coach. He spent four seasons as Alabama's wide receivers coach (plus another as an offensive analyst for the Tide), and has deep roots in the southeast as the son of a Georgia high school coach. Napier, 40, is off to a strong start in his first head-coaching position. While this would be a big move up, his knowledge of the region should help him.

Louisiana Tech coach Skip Holtz: Holtz is another coach whose recent excellent work seems to fly under the radar. He's in his fifth season of eight or more wins in seven years at Louisiana Tech, which has won five consecutive bowl games and two Conference USA West Division titles during his tenure. Holtz, 55, has winning records at three of the four FBS programs he coached. He also spent time around Arkansas when his father, Lou, coached the Razorbacks from 1977 to 1983.

UCF coach Josh Heupel: He's in a great situation at UCF, which has some protection with a $10 million buyout. But if Arkansas wants Heupel badly enough, it will find the money. Heupel, 41, has continued UCF's success, recording a 12-0 regular season and an AAC title in 2018. He also knows the region as a former Oklahoma player and assistant coach (2006 to 2014) who spent two years as Missouri's offensive coordinator before going to UCF.