The "replace Bobby Petrino with Gus Malzahn" meme is off and running.

Gus Malzahn

Well, it didn't take long for the obvious to happen in the Bobby Petrino scandal. As soon as the University of Arkansas suspended their head football coach for his inability to tell the truth about his motorcycle accident, along comes media pundits calling for him to be replaced by that other HC in Arkansas, Gus Malzahn of Arkansas State.

Matt Hayes of The Sporting News is one of the first to throw Malzahn's name in the ring, even though Petrino isn't quite an ex-Razorbacks head coach yet.

"If I’m (Arkansas athletic director Jeff) Long, I’m reaching out to Malzahn’s agent right now and gauging his interest. It’s a tough spot for Malzahn, who is grateful for Arkansas State giving him an opportunity after jobs at North Carolina and Kansas were Swift-boated by some nut fan who posted edited video of Malzahn’s wife, Kristi, speaking at a church event"

Yes, hire Gus Malzahn to replace Petrino. Never mind the fact that the ink on Malzahn's contract with Arkansas St. still isn't quite dry yet. Or the fact that going after Malzahn would be almost as low down as Petrino's lying to the cops and everybody else about Jessica Dorrell. To blazes with trying to take the high road in this debacle.

Of course, this does bring up the question of whether it would be cheaper for the University of Arkansas to pay the buy-out clause of Malzahn's contract with Arkansas St., or to just buy Arkansas St. outright. There might be a few calls going out to Arkansas alum Jerry Jones either way.

(via The Sporting News)