The Arkansas Razorbacks football team competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) representing the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The University of Arkansas has continuously fielded an intercollegiate football team since the 1894 college football season. From 1894 to 1909, the team was known as the "Cardinals" and the school's mascot was a redbird. The team's name and mascot changed for the 1910 season after head coach Hugo Bezdek proclaimed the undefeated 1909 team played "like a wild band of razorback hogs."
The Razorbacks have been a member of only two athletic conferences. [1] From 1894 through 1914, Arkansas competed as a football independent without any conference affiliation. In 1915, the Razorbacks became a charter member of the Southwest Conference (SWC). Arkansas won 13 conference championships before withdrawing from the SWC after the 1991 season. The Razorbacks became a charter member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in 1992. Since joining the SEC, the Razorbacks have won 4 division titles and appeared in the SEC Championship Game 3 times.
The Razorbacks have competed in 44 bowl games, the first was a tie in the 1934 Dixie Classic against Centenary College of Louisiana. The Razorbacks' first bowl game win came against the William & Mary Indians in the Dixie Bowl. The Razorbacks have received votes in the final rankings of the AP Poll in 28 seasons and the Coaches' Poll in 27 seasons. In 1964, the Razorbacks finished #2 in both the AP and Coaches' polls and were named national champions by the Football Writers Association of America, winning the Grantland Rice Trophy. The AP and Coaches' polls voted the Alabama Crimson Tide as their national champion in 1964 at the end of the regular season, but eventually stopped voting for their national champion until after the bowl games because Alabama lost to the Texas Longhorns in the Orange Bowl, a team Arkansas had beaten earlier that year in Austin. Arkansas went on to defeat the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Cotton Bowl, becoming the only undefeated team left in major college football in 1964.
Year | Coach | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | Coaches# | AP° | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
John C. Futrall (Independent)(1894–1896) | |||||||||
1894 | John C. Futrall | 2–1 | |||||||
1895 | John C. Futrall | 1–0 | |||||||
1896 | John C. Futrall | 2–1 | |||||||
B. N. Wilson (Independent)(1897–1898) | |||||||||
1897 | B. N. Wilson | 2–0–1 | |||||||
1898 | B. N. Wilson | 2–1 | |||||||
Colbert Searles (Independent)(1899–1900) | |||||||||
1899 | Colbert Searles | 3–1–1 | |||||||
1900 | Colbert Searles | 2–1–1 | |||||||
Charles Thomas (Independent)(1901–1902) | |||||||||
1901 | Charles Thomas | 3–5 | |||||||
1902 | Charles Thomas | 6–3 | |||||||
D. A. McDaniel (Independent)(1903) | |||||||||
1903 | D. A. McDaniel | 3–4 | |||||||
A. D. Brown (Independent)(1904–1905) | |||||||||
1904 | A. D. Brown | 4–3 | |||||||
1905 | A. D. Brown | 2–6 | |||||||
Frank Longman (Independent)(1906–1907) | |||||||||
1906 | Frank Longman | 2–4–2 | |||||||
1907 | Frank Longman | 4–4–1 | |||||||
Hugo Bezdek (Independent)(1908–1912) | |||||||||
1908 | Hugo Bezdek | 5–4 | |||||||
1909 | Hugo Bezdek | 7–0 | |||||||
1910 | Hugo Bezdek | 7–1 | |||||||
1911 | Hugo Bezdek | 6–2–1 | |||||||
1912 | Hugo Bezdek | 4–6 | |||||||
E. T. Pickering (Independent)(1913–1914) | |||||||||
1913 | E. T. Pickering | 7–2 | |||||||
1914 | E. T. Pickering | 3–6 [n 1] | |||||||
T. T. McConnell (Southwest Conference)(1915–1916) | |||||||||
1915 | T. T. McConnell | 4–2–1 | 1–1 | T–2nd | |||||
1916 | T. T. McConnell | 4–4 | 0–2 | T–5th | |||||
Norman C. Paine (Southwest Conference)(1917–1918) | |||||||||
1917 | Norman C. Paine | 5–1–1 | 0–1–1 | 6th | |||||
1918 | Norman C. Paine | 3–2 | 0–1 | T–6th | |||||
James B. Craig (Southwest Conference)(1919) | |||||||||
1919 | James B. Craig | 3–4 | 1–2 | 5th | |||||
George McLaren (Southwest Conference)(1920–1921) | |||||||||
1920 | George McLaren | 3–2–2 | 2–0–1 | 2nd | |||||
1921 | George McLaren | 5–3–1 | 2–1 | 3rd | |||||
Francis Schmidt (Southwest Conference)(1922–1928) | |||||||||
1922 | Francis Schmidt | 4–5 | 1–3 | 6th | |||||
1923 | Francis Schmidt | 6–2–1 | 2–2 | T–4th | |||||
1924 | Francis Schmidt | 7–2–1 | 1–2–1 | 7th | |||||
1925 | Francis Schmidt | 4–4–1 | 2–2–1 | T–4th | |||||
1926 | Francis Schmidt | 5–5 | 2–2 | T–3rd | |||||
1927 | Francis Schmidt | 8–1 | 3–1 | 3rd | |||||
1928 | Francis Schmidt | 7–2 | 3–1 | 3rd | |||||
Fred Thomsen (Southwest Conference)(1929–1941) | |||||||||
1929 | Fred Thomsen | 7–2 | 3–2 | 5th | |||||
1930 | Fred Thomsen | 3–6 | 2–2 | 5th | |||||
1931 | Fred Thomsen | 3–5–1 | 0–4 | 7th | |||||
1932 | Fred Thomsen | 1–6–2 | 1–4 | 7th | |||||
1933 | Fred Thomsen | 7–3–1 | 4–1 | 1st [n 2] | T Dixie Classic | ||||
1934 | Fred Thomsen | 4–4–2 | 2–3–1 | 5th | |||||
1935 | Fred Thomsen | 5–5 | 2–4 | 5th | |||||
1936 | Fred Thomsen | 7–3 | 5–1 | 1st | 18 | ||||
1937 | Fred Thomsen | 6–2–2 | 3–2–1 | 3rd | 14 | ||||
1938 | Fred Thomsen | 2–7–1 | 1–5 | T–6th | |||||
1939 | Fred Thomsen | 4–5–1 | 2–3–1 | 5th | |||||
1940 | Fred Thomsen | 4–6 | 1–5 | 6th | |||||
1941 | Fred Thomsen | 3–7 | 0–6 | 7th | |||||
George Cole (Southwest Conference)(1942) | |||||||||
1942 | George Cole | 3–7 | 0–6 | 7th | |||||
John Tomlin (Southwest Conference)(1943) | |||||||||
1943 | John Tomlin | 2–7 | 1–4 | T–5th | |||||
Glen Rose (Southwest Conference)(1944–1945) | |||||||||
1944 | Glen Rose | 5–5–1 | 2–2–1 | 3rd | |||||
1945 | Glen Rose | 3–7 | 1–5 | 7th | |||||
John Barnhill (Southwest Conference)(1946–1949) | |||||||||
1946 | John Barnhill | 6–3–2 | 5–1 | T–1st | T Cotton | 16 | |||
1947 | John Barnhill | 6–4–1 | 1–4–1 | T–5th | W Dixie | ||||
1948 | John Barnhill | 5–5 | 2–4 | 5th | |||||
1949 | John Barnhill | 5–5 | 2–4 | 6th | |||||
Otis Douglas (Southwest Conference)(1950–1952) | |||||||||
1950 | Otis Douglas | 2–8 | 1–5 | 7th | |||||
1951 | Otis Douglas | 5–5 | 2–4 | 6th | |||||
1952 | Otis Douglas | 2–8 | 1–5 | 7th | |||||
Bowden Wyatt (Southwest Conference)(1953–1954) | |||||||||
1953 | Bowden Wyatt | 3–7 | 2–4 | 5th | |||||
1954 | Bowden Wyatt | 8–3 | 5–1 | 1st | L Cotton | 8 | 10 | ||
Jack Mitchell (Southwest Conference)(1955–1957) | |||||||||
1955 | Jack Mitchell | 5–4–1 | 3–2–1 | 4th | |||||
1956 | Jack Mitchell | 6–4 | 3–3 | 4th | |||||
1957 | Jack Mitchell | 6–4 | 2–4 | T–5th | |||||
Frank Broyles (Southwest Conference)(1958–1976) | |||||||||
1958 | Frank Broyles | 4–6 | 2–4 | T–5th | |||||
1959 | Frank Broyles | 9–2 | 5–1 | T–1st | W Gator | 9 | 9 | ||
1960 | Frank Broyles | 8–3 | 6–1 | 1st | L Cotton | 7 | 7 | ||
1961 | Frank Broyles | 8–3 | 6–1 | T–1st | L Sugar | 8 | 9 | ||
1962 | Frank Broyles | 9–2 | 6–1 | 2nd | L Sugar | 6 | 6 | ||
1963 | Frank Broyles | 5–5 | 3–4 | 5th | |||||
1964 | Frank Broyles | 11–0 | 7–0 | 1st | W Cotton | 2 | 2 | ||
1965 | Frank Broyles | 10–1 | 7–0 | 1st | L Cotton | 2 | 3 | ||
1966 | Frank Broyles | 8–2 | 5–2 | T–2nd | |||||
1967 | Frank Broyles | 4–5–1 | 3–3–1 | 5th | |||||
1968 | Frank Broyles | 10–1 | 6–1 | T–1st | W Sugar | 9 | 6 | ||
1969 | Frank Broyles | 9–2 | 6–1 | 2nd | L Sugar | 3 | 7 | ||
1970 | Frank Broyles | 9–2 | 6–1 | 2nd | 12 | 11 | |||
1971 | Frank Broyles | 8–3–1 | 5–1–1 | 2nd | L Liberty | 20 | 16 | ||
1972 | Frank Broyles | 6–5 | 3–4 | T–4th | |||||
1973 | Frank Broyles | 5–5–1 | 3–3–1 | T–4th | |||||
1974 | Frank Broyles | 6–4–1 | 3–3–1 | T–4th | |||||
1975 | Frank Broyles | 10–2 | 6–1 | T–1st | W Cotton | 6 | 7 | ||
1976 | Frank Broyles | 5–5–1 | 3–4–1 | 5th | |||||
Lou Holtz (Southwest Conference)(1977–1983) | |||||||||
1977 | Lou Holtz | 11–1 | 7–1 | 2nd | W Orange | 3 | 3 | ||
1978 | Lou Holtz | 9–2–1 | 6–2 | T–2nd | T Fiesta | 10 | 11 | ||
1979 | Lou Holtz | 10–2 | 6–1 | T–1st | L Sugar | 9 | 8 | ||
1980 | Lou Holtz | 7–5 | 3–5 | T–6th | W Hall of Fame | ||||
1981 | Lou Holtz | 8–4 | 5–3 | 4th | L Gator | 16 | |||
1982 | Lou Holtz | 9–2–1 | 5–2–1 | 3rd | W Bluebonnet | 8 | 9 | ||
1983 | Lou Holtz | 6–5 | 4–4 | 5th | |||||
Ken Hatfield (Southwest Conference)(1984–1989) | |||||||||
1984 | Ken Hatfield | 7–4–1 | 5–3 | T–3rd | L Liberty | ||||
1985 | Ken Hatfield | 10–2 | 6–2 | T–2nd | W Holiday | 12 | 12 | ||
1986 | Ken Hatfield | 9–3 | 6–2 | T–2nd | L Orange | 16 | 15 | ||
1987 | Ken Hatfield | 9–4 | 5–2 | T–2nd | L Liberty | ||||
1988 | Ken Hatfield | 10–2 | 7–0 | 1st | L Cotton | 13 | 12 | ||
1989 | Ken Hatfield | 10–2 | 7–1 | 1st | L Cotton | 13 | 13 | ||
Jack Crowe (Southwest Conference)(1990–1991) | |||||||||
1990 | Jack Crowe | 3–8 | 1–7 | 7th | |||||
1991 | Jack Crowe | 6–6 | 5–3 | T–2nd | L Independence | ||||
Jack Crowe(Southeastern Conference)(1992) | |||||||||
1992 | Jack Crowe [n 3] | 3–7–1 [n 3] | 3–4–1 [n 3] | 4th (Western) | |||||
Danny Ford (Southeastern Conference)(1993–1997) | |||||||||
1993 | Danny Ford | 6–4–1 | 4–3–1 | T-2nd (Western) | |||||
1994 | Danny Ford | 4–7 | 2–6 | T–4th (Western) | |||||
1995 | Danny Ford | 8–5 | 6–2 | 1st (Western) | L Carquest | ||||
1996 | Danny Ford | 4–7 | 2–6 | 5th (Western) | |||||
1997 | Danny Ford | 4–7 | 2–6 | 5th (Western) | |||||
Houston Nutt (Southeastern Conference)(1998–2007) | |||||||||
1998 | Houston Nutt | 9–3 | 6–2 | T–1st (Western) | L Florida Citrus | 17 | 16 | ||
1999 | Houston Nutt | 8–4 | 4–4 | T–3rd (Western) | W Cotton | 19 | 17 | ||
2000 | Houston Nutt | 6–6 | 3–5 | T–5th (Western) | L Las Vegas | ||||
2001 | Houston Nutt | 7–5 | 4–4 | T–3rd (Western) | L Cotton | ||||
2002 | Houston Nutt | 9–5 | 5–3 | T–2nd (Western) [n 4] | L Music City | ||||
2003 | Houston Nutt | 9–4 | 4–4 | 4th (Western) | W Independence | ||||
2004 | Houston Nutt | 5–6 | 3–5 | T–3rd (Western) | |||||
2005 | Houston Nutt | 4–7 | 2–6 | 4th (Western) | |||||
2006 | Houston Nutt | 10–4 | 7–1 | 1st (Western) | L Capital One | 16 | 15 | ||
2007 | Houston Nutt [n 5] | 8–5 [n 5] | 4–4 | T–3rd (Western) | L Cotton | ||||
Bobby Petrino (Southeastern Conference)(2008–2011) | |||||||||
2008 | Bobby Petrino | 5–7 | 2–6 | T–5th (Western) | |||||
2009 | Bobby Petrino | 8–5 | 3–5 | T–4th (Western) | W Liberty | ||||
2010 | Bobby Petrino | 10–3 | 6–2 | T–2nd (Western) | L Sugar † | 12 | 12 | ||
2011 | Bobby Petrino | 11–2 | 6–2 | 3rd (Western) | W Cotton | 5 | 5 | ||
John L. Smith (Southeastern Conference)(2012) | |||||||||
2012 | John L. Smith | 4–8 | 2–6 | 6th (Western) | |||||
Bret Bielema (Southeastern Conference)(2013–2017) | |||||||||
2013 | Bret Bielema | 3–9 | 0–8 | 7th (Western) | |||||
2014 | Bret Bielema | 7–6 | 2–6 | 7th (Western) | W Texas | ||||
2015 | Bret Bielema | 8–5 | 5–3 | 3rd (Western) | W Liberty | ||||
2016 | Bret Bielema | 7–6 | 3–5 | 5th (Western) | L Belk | ||||
2017 | Bret Bielema | 4–8 | 1–7 | 7th (Western) | |||||
Chad Morris (Southeastern Conference)(2018–2019) | |||||||||
2018 | Chad Morris | 2–10 | 0–8 | 7th (Western) | |||||
2019 | Chad Morris [n 6] | 2–10 [n 6] | 0–8 [n 6] | 7th (Western) | |||||
Sam Pittman (Southeastern Conference)(2020–present) | |||||||||
2020 | Sam Pittman | 3–7 | 3–7 | T–6th (Western) | CX Texas [n 7] | ||||
2021 | Sam Pittman | 9–4 | 4–4 | T–3rd (Western) | W Outback | 20 | 21 | ||
2022 | Sam Pittman | 7–6 | 3–5 | 5th (Western) | W Liberty | ||||
2023 | Sam Pittman | 4–8 | 1–7 | 7th (Western) | |||||
Total: | 739–541–40 | ||||||||
National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth | |||||||||
|
Houston Dale Nutt Jr. is a former American football player and coach. He formerly worked for CBS Sports as a college football studio analyst. Previously, he served as the head football coach at Murray State University (1993–1996), Boise State University (1997), the University of Arkansas (1998–2007), and the University of Mississippi (2008–2011). Nutt's all-time career winning percentage is just under 59 percent.
The Southwest Conference (SWC) was an NCAA Division I college athletic conference in the United States that existed from 1914 to 1996. Composed primarily of schools from Texas, at various times the conference included schools from Oklahoma and Arkansas.
The NCAA was without a playoff for the major college football teams in the University Division, later known as Division I-A, during the 20th century. The NCAA recognizes Division I-A national champions based on the final results of polls including the "wire service", FWAA and NFF. The 1964 AP poll continued to rank only ten teams, compiling the votes of 55 sportswriters, each of whom would give their opinion of the ten best. Under a point system of 10 points for first place, 9 for second, etc., the "overall" ranking was determined.
The 1992 NCAA Division I-A football season was the first year of the Bowl Coalition and concluded with Alabama's first national championship in thirteen years—their first since the departure of Bear Bryant. One of Bryant's former players, Gene Stallings, was the head coach, and he used a style similar to Bryant's, a smashmouth running game combined with a tough defense.
The 1994 NCAA Division I-A football season, play of college football in the United States at the NCAA Division I-A level, began in August 1994 and ended on January 2, 1995. Nebraska, who finished the season undefeated, ended the year ranked No. 1 in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls. This was the first national championship of coach Tom Osborne's career at Nebraska, having come close the year before, when Nebraska lost to eventual national champion Florida State on a missed field goal as time expired.
The Alabama Crimson Tide football program represents the University of Alabama in the sport of American football. The team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team is currently led by Kalen DeBoer. The Crimson Tide is among the most storied and decorated football programs in NCAA history. Since beginning play in 1892, the program claims 18 national championships, including 13 wire-service national titles in the poll-era, and five other titles before the poll-era. From 1958 to 1982, the team was led by Hall of Fame coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, who won six national titles with the program. It was not until 2009 that an Alabama player received a Heisman Trophy, when running back Mark Ingram II became the university's first winner. In 2015, Derrick Henry became the university's second Heisman winner. The Crimson Tide won back to back Heisman trophies in 2020 and 2021, with DeVonta Smith and Bryce Young.
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program represents the University of Arkansas in the sport of American football. The Razorbacks compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The program has one national championship awarded by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and Helms Athletic Foundation (HAF) in 1964 and one national championship awarded by the Rothman Foundation for the Analysis of Competitions and Tournaments in 1977. The school does not claim the 1977 title. The program began in 1894 and has compiled an all-time record of 740–539–40, for a .576 winning percentage. The Razorbacks have won 13 conference championships and have had 58 players named honored as All-Americans.
The Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team represents the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The team competes in the Southeastern Conference. Arkansas plays its home games in Bud Walton Arena on the University of Arkansas campus. The Razorbacks are a top-twenty-five program all-time by winning percentage (.641), top-twenty program by NCAA tournament games played, top-twenty program by NCAA Tournament games won, top-fifteen program by Final Four appearances, and despite playing significantly fewer seasons than most programs in major conferences, top-thirty by all-time wins. Under the coaching leadership of Nolan Richardson, the Hogs won the national championship in 1994, defeating Duke, and appeared in the championship game the following year, finishing as runner-up. The Razorbacks have made six NCAA Final Four appearances.
The 1979 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their third year under head coach Lou Holtz, the Razorbacks compiled a 10–2 record, finished in a tie with Houston for the SWC championship, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 284 to 132. The Razorbacks' only regular season loss was to Houston by a 13–10 score. The team advanced to the 1980 Sugar Bowl, losing to undefeated national champion Alabama by a 24–9 score. Arkansas was ranked #8 in the final AP Poll and #9 in the final UPI Coaches Poll.
During the 20th century, the NCAA had no playoff for the major college football teams in the University Division, later known as Division I-A. The NCAA did recognize a national champion based upon the final results of "wire service" polls. The "writers' poll" by Associated Press (AP) was the most popular, followed by the "coaches' poll" by United Press International) (UPI). Prior to 1965, both services issued their final polls at the close of the regular season, but before teams competed in bowl games. For the 1965 season, the AP took its final poll after the postseason games, an arrangement made permanent in 1968. The Associated Press presented the "AP Trophy" to the winner.
The 1964 Arkansas Razorbacks football team was an American football team that represented the University of Arkansas in the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1964 NCAA University Division football season. In their seventh year under head coach Frank Broyles, the Razorbacks compiled an undefeated 11–0 record, won the SWC championship, closed the regular season with five consecutive shutouts, outscored all opponents by a combined total of 231 to 64, and defeated Nebraska 10–7 in the Cotton Bowl.
The 1977 NCAA Division I football season was one in which the top five teams finished with 11–1 records. Notre Dame, which beat top-ranked and undefeated Texas in the Cotton Bowl, became the national champion.
The 1933 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1933 college football season. In their fifth year under head coach Fred Thomsen, the Razorbacks compiled an overall record of 7–3–1 with a mark of 4–1 in conference play and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 213 to 61. Arkansas was invited to the Dixie Classic, where they tied Centenary.
The 1962 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1962 NCAA University Division football season. In their fifth year under head coach Frank Broyles, the Razorbacks compiled a 9–2 record, finished in second place in the SWC, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 299 to 115. The Razorbacks' only loss during the regular season came against Texas by a 7–3 score. The team was ranked #6 in both the final AP Poll and the final UPI Coaches Poll and went on to lose to Ole Miss in the 1963 Sugar Bowl by a 17–13 score.
The 1970 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. In their 13th year under head coach Frank Broyles, the Razorbacks compiled a 9–2 record, finished in second place behind Texas in the SWC, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 402 to 144. The team finished the season ranked #11 in the final AP Poll and #12 in the final UPI Coaches Poll.
The 1965 Cotton Bowl Classic was the 29th edition of the college football bowl game, played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, on Friday, January 1. With national championship implications, the game matched the Southwest Conference champion Arkansas Razorbacks and the Nebraska Cornhuskers, champions of the Big Eight Conference.
The 2012 Southeastern Conference football season began on August 30 with South Carolina visiting Vanderbilt, and concluded with the BCS National Championship Game on January 7, 2013. It was also the first season of play for former Big 12 Conference members Texas A&M and Missouri. Texas A&M plays in the West Division, while Missouri plays in the East Division, although, geographically, Missouri is one of the conference's westernmost teams.