Division Western Division AP No. 15 Head coach Houston Nutt | Coaches No. 16 2006 record 10–4 (7–1 SEC) | |
Conference Southeastern Conference | ||
The 2006 Arkansas Razorbacks football team completed the season with a 10–4 record. The Razorbacks had a regular season SEC record of 7–1.
Contents
Schedule
Rb: Darren Mcfadden
Postseason
Though Arkansas had a strong year, turmoil developed on the team. The largest conflict occurred between head coach Houston Nutt and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn over the direction of the offense. Malzahn came to Arkansas in 2006 from Springdale High School with some of his players who had committed to Arkansas, including QB Mitch Mustain and WR Damian Williams. These players felt that Malzahn would be able to implement his spread, no-huddle offense at Arkansas. Over the course of the season, speculation arose that this offense was not being implemented and that Malzahn had less control over the offense than he was promised, claims that Malzahn has not verified publicly. Some of the parents of these players met with Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles in December to question the role of their sons on the team. After the season, Williams and Mustain transferred to Southern California. Malzahn left to be the offensive coordinator at Tulsa and wide receiver Andrew Norman transferred to Tulsa as well.
In the offseason, fans raised questions about Houston Nutt's handling of recruits, management of the offense, and off-the-field relationships. Certain fans filed Freedom of Information requests for Nutt's phone records. However, a number of fans remained strongly supportive of Nutt. The rift that formed in the fanbase over these issues ultimately contributed to Nutt's departure after the 2007 regular season, just after the Razorbacks upset the number one team in the nation, LSU.