Out of options? Barry Lunney Jr. may be named permanent head coach at Arkansas

Following the reports that Ole Miss will hire Lane Kiffin, Arkansas’ coaching search is about to refocus on other other candidates.

It appears as if Kiffin was the Hogs top choice; however, Ole Miss beat Arkansas to the chase, and now, the Hogs are left with a fallback plan. That plan may include taking the interim tag off of Barry Lunney Jr. and naming him the next head coach.

USA Today’s Dan Wolken and George Schroeder are cautioning Arkansas fans — based on sources — that the Hogs may name Lunney the head coach.

As Arkansas’ search regroups in the wake of Lane Kiffin’s decision to take the Ole Miss job, don’t be surprised if the school considers taking the interim tag off Barry Lunney Jr.

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) December 7, 2019

The situation at Arkansas isn’t settled — but after a fruitless search, signs are pointing toward promoting Barry Lunney Jr., an alum/former star QB who has been the interim coach since Chad Morris’ firing.

— George Schroeder (@GeorgeSchroeder) December 7, 2019

Lunney was named the interim head coach when the Hogs fired Chad Morris before his second season was complete. Morris finished with a 4-18 overall record, including 0-14 in conference play. He was fired following a 45-19 loss to Western Kentucky.

Lunney is in his seventh season as an assistant coach for the Razorbacks. Prior to being named the interim head coach, he was the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator. The Hogs lost the final two games of the season to LSU (56-20) and Missouri (24-14) with Lunney as the interim.

The Arkansas assistant played quarterback for the Hogs in 1992-95.