NCAAF Arkansas Razorbacks

Team History

The Arkansas football team first took the field in 1894. The Razorbacks joined the South Western Conference in 1915. In 1936, the Razorbacks won their first conference championship and their second in 1946. The Razorbacks also participated in the infamous Ice Bowl against LSU Tigers.

The Razorbacks hired Frank Broyles in 1958. After a slow 4-6 start, the Razorbacks wouldn’t have another losing NCAAF season for ten years. He led the Razorbacks to 14 winning seasons and seven National Championships. In 1964, the Razorbacks finished 11-0 overall and 7-0 in conference play.

After disputes with Alabama over the National Championship, the Razorbacks were named National Champions by the FWAA and the Helms Athletic Foundation. The Razorbacks had a 144–58–5 overall record under Broyles and four bowl wins.

Lou Holtz was hired in 1977. Holtz took the Razorbacks to an 11-1 record in his first season. In 1979, the Razorbacks won the SWC. Holtz led the team to a winning record in each of his seven seasons. They also appeared in six college football bowl games during his tenure. He finished with a 60–21–2 overall record.

Ken Hatfield became head coach in 1984. The Razorbacks were very successful under Hatfield. They won the SWC in 1988 and 1989. Those were his best years. The Razorbacks finished 10-2 in both seasons. Hatfield resigned in 1990.

90s and Onwards

The Razorbacks joined the SEC in 1992. The 90s were up and down for the Razorbacks until they hired Houston Nutt in 1998. In his first season, the team finished 9-3 overall, 6-2 in conference play and won a share of the SEC West title. In 2006, the Razorbacks enjoyed a 10-4 overall record and a 7-1 conference record.

Running back Darren McFadden was there from 2005-2007. He rushed for over 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns during his time at Arkansas. Nutt resigned and finished with a 75–48 overall record and two bowl wins.

Bobby Petrino was named head coach in 2008. His first year was slow but he showed improvement in each of his next three seasons. Petrino led the Razorbacks to a 29-10 record from 2009-2011.

In 2009, quarterback Ryan Mallett transferred to Arkansas. Mallett has the second-most passing yards in Arkansas history. In 2011, the Razorbacks won 11 games and won the Cotton bowl. Petrino resigned in 2012.

Bret Bielema took over in 2013. The Razorbacks were mostly up and down. In 2013, they started off 3-9 and didn’t win a single conference game. From 2014-2016, the Razorbacks finished with winning records. The Razorbacks won bowl games in both 2014 and 2015. He was fired after the Razorbacks finished 2017 with a 4-8 record.

 Sam Pittman has been the head coach since 2020. In 2021, he led the Razorbacks to a 9-4 record and a win in the Outback Bowl.