Arkansas Fired Chad Morris

Yesterday, the University of Arkansas fired their head football coach, Chad Morris after a 19-45 loss to Western Kentucky.  This after just receiving a contract extension a week earlier.

Arkansas was 2-8 at the time of Morris' firing.  Here is a look at the Arkansas Razorbacks since 2008; under four different head coaches - Petrino, Smith, Bielema and Morris.  As you will notice, Arkansas has had some remarkably productive seasons (Petrino), and some not so remarkably productive seasons - especially under Morris.

Below is the Arkansas Razorbacks production rank (total, offense, defense, and the average and worst teams) since 2008 using the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model from the data provided from www.cfbstats.com, as well as lines for head coaching firing/leaving.  More details about the program under Morris is provided below; including a link to his 2017 contract.

Chad Morris [2018-2019]

2018
The Razorbacks finished the regular season again at (2-10).  Arkansas played against a “tougher” strength of schedule, meaning that the Razorbacks strength of schedule was between one and two standard deviations lower than the "league" average strength of schedule.  Arkansas' best regular season victory against #102 ranked Tulsa by a score of (23-0) and their worst loss was to #116 ranked Colorado State (27-34).  Arkansas finished the season as the #118 ranked team overall, with the #127 ranked offense [4th worst] and the #78 ranked defense using the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model from the data provided from www.cfbstats.com.

2019*
After ten regular season games, Arkansas fired head football coach Chad Morris, which at the time was (2-10), while playing against an “average” strength of schedule; meaning that the Razorbacks SOS was plus or minus one standard deviation of the "league" average SOS.  During those ten regular games Arkansas' best victory was against currently ranked #70 Colorado State by a score of (55-34) and their worst loss was to currently ranked #73 Kentucky by a score of (20-24).  Arkansas' current production rankings are:  #122 team overall, with the #111 offense and the #123 defense using the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model from the data provided from www.cfbstats.com.


Previous FBS Head Coaching Changes in 2019
Rutgers and Chris Ash
Florida State and Willie Taggart