From the unimaginable amount of dreck that has come from the Bobby Petrino mess at Arkansas, there could be a silver lining for Hogs fans, and that silver lining for Arkansas may be Phillip Fulmer.

Several news outlets reported today that the University of Arkansas and Phillip Fulmer have talked about the possibility of the former Tennessee coach replacing the disgraced Petrino. Now, it’s all very preliminary and there are some possible road blocks. First, others have expressed interest in the job, including a very surprising former coach – Steve Mariucci. I’m not sure why the Mooch would want to leave his cushy gig with the NFL Network, but hey, it’s out there now. Plus, you can make a case that promoting from within is a better option at this point in the offseason, since interim coach Taver Johnson knows the players and knows the system. Promoting Johnson would be less disruptive.

But the New Orleans Saints flirted with Bill Parcells before finally promoting Joe Vitt to be the interim coach with the Saints during Sean Payton’s suspension in 2012 (of course, that’s after Vitt serves his own six-game suspension). So the Razorbacks are doing their due diligence, as they should.

How do I see it? I think Fulmer is a great choice, no matter the time of year. Here are some reasons why:

Instant Respectability. Arkansas needs to run as far from Petrino as possible. Fulmer brings a respectability factor to the position that you can only get with an experienced coach. Fulmer had few issues with the NCAA and with off-the-field scandal during his time in Knoxville. He could quickly erase the stench of the past month just by showing up.

Recruiting. Fulmer had a big-time rep at Tennessee for recruiting. Arkansas, like other FBS schools, is knee-deep in the 2013 recruiting cycle. The Petrino mess is something recruits will look at. An experienced coach like Fulmer can quell those fears and keep the Hogs in play before it loses its top in-state recruits to other SEC schools.

He knows the SEC. Perhaps more than anything else, Fulmer understands the conference. He knows how the gamesmanship is played between programs. He knows how to work boosters, fans and parents into helping the program succeed. And he knows how to use the media to get out his message, a skill few coaches have mastered in college football.

His record. Oh, by the way, in case you forgot, Fulmer was pretty successful at Tennessee. He led the Vols to a national title, six division titles, 15 bowl games in 17 years and a 152-52 overall record. The Vols had just two losing seasons under Fulmer, which makes one wonder – given the state of Tennessee’s program – why they fired Fulmer in the first place?

All in all, if the Razorbacks decide to go outside the program, Fulmer is easily the best candidate. He’s the only guy ready-made to handle the SEC without any growing pains. Perhaps Tennessee’s loss will be Arkansas’ gain. And the Razorbacks could use a win after the past few weeks.

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