Coaching Search.com reported that TCU’s Gary Patterson is Arkansas’ top candidate to replace Bobby Petrino. Arkansas radio host Bo Mattingly hears Patterson might have mutual interest. The appeal of Patterson for Arkansas is obvious. The question is whether he’d leave has current job.

TCU has joined the Big 12 and rebuilt its stadium. Patterson signed a lucrative contract extension. This is a much better job than when he arrived, and has reached the point that Arkansas is not an obvious step forward.

That said, Patterson has brought the Horned Frogs from Conference USA through the Mountain West to the Big 12. He has won 11 games six times in seven years and had an undefeated Rose Bowl winning season. He won’t replicate that success in his new conference, fighting an uphill battle with Texas, Oklahoma and others with fewer resources every year. The program has also had off the field problems. There was a major drug scandal last offseason. Star quarterback Casey Pachall had to leave school midseason to go to rehab.

Patterson is 52. He might not get many more opportunities to leave. Perhaps a lucrative pay package, a fresh start and a chance to compete against the nation’s best teams at a school with new facilities and a large fan base might not be the worst thing?

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