BREAKING! Eric Musselman IS Leaving Arkansas For USC HIS OUT!
Arkansas men’s basketball coach Eric Musselman is leaving for the University of Southern California, ESPN reports.
State of play: News of Musselman’s possible move circulated Wednesday. Whole Hog Sports has reported he would owe Arkansas a $1 million buyout if he leaves for another job. His annual salary at Arkansas is $4.2 million.
Background: Musselman led the Razorbacks to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in 2021 and 2022, and the Sweet 16 in 2023. The 2024 season was the team’s first losing campaign on his watch.
- He graduated from the University of San Diego and has held three head coaching jobs in California.
- Men’s basketball hired Arkansas Head Coach Eric Musselman on Thursday afternoon.
“We were determined to find the best coach to champion the development of our student-athletes and elevate our men’s basketball program,” said USC Athletic Director Jennifer Cohen in a statement released by USC. “Eric displays heart, boldness, resiliency and everything that it means to be a Trojan.”
- Musselman spent five years at the helm of Arkansas where he finished 111-59, or .653, overall. He experienced his worst year last season when the Razorbacks finished 16-17 and 6-12 in the SEC, marking the first time Arkansas failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in four years. Previously, Musselman had led Arkansas to three straight Sweet 16’s for the first time since 1996 and advanced to the Elite Eight in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.