Report: Louisville WR coach Garrick McGee has had no contact with Arkansas about joining staff

After Wisconsin hired Kenny Guiton away from Arkansas, the name Garrick McGee started floating around social media as a potential replacement. Guiton was the Razorbacks’ wide receivers coach the last few seasons, but is gearing up to join Luke Fickell’s staff in Madison.

However, according to The Athletic and FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman, McGee — who’s currently the WRs coach at Louisville — hasn’t heard from anyone in Fayetteville so far.

Garrick McGee is no stranger to Arkansas. He served as the Razorbacks’ offensive coordinator from 2010-11 after two years as quarterbacks coach. From there, he has spent time on the staffs at Louisville, UAB, Illinois, Missouri and Florida as part of his coaching career. He returned to Louisville this past season as wide receivers coach.

Am told reports about Louisville WR coach Garrick McGee already having a done deal to go to Arkansas, or any plans to join the Razorbacks staff, are not accurate. McGee, a former Arkansas OC, has had no contact with anyone at Arkansas.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 27, 2023

Nonetheless, Arkansas will have to replace Guiton, who is joining forces with Fickell for the first time since they were at Ohio State. Guiton played quarterback for the Buckeyes from 2009-13, meaning he played for Fickell the year he served as the Buckeyes’ interim head coach. Football Scoop first reported the hire as Wisconsin looked to replace Mike Brown, who left for Notre Dame.

After his time at Ohio State ended, Guiton embarked on a brief professional career in the AFL and with the Buffalo Bills, but got into coaching in 2015 as a graduate assistant at Houston. He spent two years with the Cougars in the role and moved up to wide receivers coach from 2017-18. He then went to Louisiana Tech and Colorado State for a season each in 2019 and 2020, and joined Sam Pittman’s staff at Arkansas in 2021.

After the Razorbacks moved on from offensive coordinator Dan Enos, Guiton assumed the role in the interim before the program hired Bobby Petrino.

Wisconsin had an up-and-down first season under Fickell in 2023 en route to a 7-5 record. The Badgers are currently getting ready for the ReliaQuest Bowl against LSU, and they’ve been active in the transfer portal so far this cycle.

Wisconsin has landed seven commitments, including one from former Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke — the No. 13-ranked quarterback to enter the portal, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings. Former Michigan State wide receiver Tyrell Henry is also in the fold.

The Badgers also got a big boost earlier this month. Running back Chez Mellusi, who suffered a season-ending injury, is returning to Madison for another season for another year in Phil Longo’s system.