The Arkansas men’s basketball team is in for a major change as head coach Eric Musselman is departing for Southern Cal after five successful seasons at Arkansas. USC officially announced Musselman’s move, with the coach set to be introduced at a news conference in Los Angeles on Friday.
Expressing his excitement for the new opportunity, Musselman stated, “My family and I couldn’t be more excited for this incredible opportunity at USC. I am grateful to President [Carol] Folt and [athletics director] Jen Cohen for the chance to lead the men’s basketball program at such a world-class university with a rich tradition of success. We will be committed to the development of our student-athletes and upholding the values that make the Trojan Family so special. We will hit the ground running and work tirelessly to make our great alumni, fans and all of Los Angeles proud.”
As part of the transition, USC will owe Arkansas a $1 million buyout of Musselman’s contract, which was set to run through the 2027-28 season as per the terms of a contract extension signed in 2021. Musselman has strong ties to Southern California, having played for the University of San Diego and grown up in the San Diego area. He also previously coached NBA teams in California, including the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors.
During his tenure at Arkansas, Musselman achieved an impressive 111-59 record and led the team to postseason success not seen since the 1990s. The Razorbacks reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2021 and 2022, and finished at the Sweet 16 in 2023. Musselman also had an NCAA Tournament record of 8-3 at Arkansas, securing wins over No. 1-seeded teams like Gonzaga in 2022 and Kansas in 2023. Despite high expectations for the team this season, Arkansas finished with a 16-17 overall record and missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time under Musselman.
This marks a significant change for the Arkansas men’s basketball program, as they now begin the search for a new head coach to lead the team into the future.
