Now that LSU has tabbed former Alabama linebackers coach Kevin Steele as its new defensive coordinator, there’s only one coordinator opening left in the SEC: the offensive coordinator slot at Arkansas.

Jim Chaney, who had been Bret Bielema’s offensive coordinator for the last two seasons in Fayetteville, left to join Pat Narduzzi’s staff at Pittsburgh last week. His departure comes at a pivotal time for the Razorbacks, and the coach that Bielema tabs as his replacement will be crucial to Arkansas either continuing to rise in the SEC or dropping back to mediocrity.

Arkansas had a strong identity in 2014 as a team that dominated the running game on both offense and defense. The Razorbacks had the No. 26 rushing attack in the country, fifth in the SEC, and on the other side of the ball had the No. 12 run defense nationally, second only to Alabama in conference. That offensive M.O., complete with a massive offensive line and two 1,000-yard rushers, fit with everything for which Bielema-led teams are known.

Chaney wasn’t exactly known for those things, though. He came to Arkansas with a spread offense philosophy, one that didn’t jibe with either the personnel or overall philosophy of Bielema’s staff. The rebuilding Razorbacks were suited to run the ball and not much else.

In a few of Arkansas’ losses this year, Chaney seemed to forget about that. In close losses to Texas A&M and Alabama, the Razorbacks turned to the air more often than they should have trying to salt away wins. While going with the pass wasn’t the only reason Arkansas lost games like that, it certainly played a big factor.

Chaney’s play calling may have raised some eyebrows on occasion, but now Bielema is tasked with finding a replacement. It’s only been three days, but candidates’ names are starting to leak out, such as former Oklahoma co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell.

What Bielema is really faced with could be a question of philosophy. He could find an OC that likes to run the ball as much as he does or go for a candidate that does what he can to maximize the Razorbacks’ passing personnel and put them in a position to be less one-dimensional.

After Bielema’s brutal start to his SEC career, Arkansas won two of its last three SEC contests in 2014 in fairly dominating fashion. They’re everyone’s favorite SEC fringe contender, a team that will at very least give the top of the West all it can handle and has an outside shot at a division championship run.

Now the question is what Bielema wants his team to look like. We saw what going outside of the box on a coordinator hire did for Alabama, which hired West Coast-disciple Lane Kiffin to spice up a notoriously bland offense in 2014.

Will Bielema go the same direction and find a coordinator that finds ways to complement the strengths of the Arkansas offense, or just find a coach that will keep pounding the rock?

The decision could be the one that propels the Razorbacks over the hump or knocks them back down to the bottom.