The optimist would take one look at Arkansas football and figure there’s but one place to go with the program, and that is up.

The Hogs hit rock bottom this season, suffering through a 2nd consecutive 2-10 season, and a 2nd straight year in which they didn’t win a conference game. A total breakdown from the top down resulted in another disastrous campaign — and another coaching search. Realistically, the Razorbacks were probably lucky to win 2 games this year.

But take heart Razorbacks fans, almost every year in the SEC, a couple of teams bounce back the following season. Here’s how the Hogs can get back in the bowl hunt next season.

1. Coach

First and foremost, the Razorbacks have to bring in a coach who will lead the team. A coach the team can believe in. A coach who will have a definitive plan and assure progress within it. Those types of coaches exist; it Arkansas’ job to attract one.

It doesn’t have to be a flashy name, just as long as the next coach possesses the qualities mentioned above. Things can turn around quickly with the right person in place. Look at Nick Saban at LSU, and then again at Alabama, or Kirby Smart at Georgia. Jeremy Pruitt is making slower progress at Tennessee, but the progress is notable. He narrowly missed a bowl berth in his first season, and now has the Vols in the postseason in his second season.

So it can be done with the right head coach, even at Arkansas, even in the SEC West.

2. Quarterback

The next head coach must find his coach on the field. That’s the task of a quarterback, someone to lead the team on the field. That should be the new head coach’s main focus. Whether that guy is on the roster or soon to be in someone’s transfer portal remains to be seen. But after 2 years of yo-yoing, finding a legitimate QB1 is the first order of business.

He’ll certainly have an abundance of talent to work with. From freshmen K.J. Jefferson and John Stephen Jones, to juniors Nick Starkel and former walk-on Jack Lindsey, a good coach should be able to distinguish which one from that group gives the Razorbacks the best chance to win and then develop that talent.

3. Shore up the defense

Like the team in general, there’s nowhere to go but up for Arkansas’ defense. It was really bad in 2019. Worst in the SEC, the Razorbacks ranked No. 111 in the nation, yielding a whopping 450 yards on average per game. The Razorbacks gave up slightly more yardage through the air this season (2,750) than on the ground (2,658), so there’s enough blame to go around.

Yards are bad enough, but the Hogs allowed 36.8 points per game, also worst in the SEC.

But the Hogs are not that far removed from the defense that ranked No. 2 in the SEC in 2014. So maybe it’s time to replace DC John Chavis? He’s had an illustrious career that just hasn’t translated to Arkansas. Perhaps it would be necessary for the new head coach to bring new faces to the coaching staff and a new approach to defense at Arkansas.

4. Experience

Arkansas has talent, but a lot of it is young and inexperienced. A year of taking their lumps and gaining that valuable experience can only prove to serve the team well in the future.

A total of 16 freshmen played in the season finale against Missouri, including 5 true freshmen who started. A new head coach and a fresh start should only energize the young talent and propel it to bigger and better things next season and beyond.

5. Rakeem Boyd

Here’s a player you could build a team around. The Arkansas RB is versatile and durable. He would be a huge complement to the development of an Arkansas passing game.

This season, Boyd piled up 1,133 yards rushing (184 carries, 8 TDs), the most at Arkansas since Rawleigh Williams III ran for 1,360 in 2016. The recovery of Arkansas football begins with Boyd in the backfield.