Without outright calling out Kevin Sumlin’s final Texas A&M coaching staff, Razorback defensive coordinator John Chavis explained his preference to call defense from the press box during his latest media availability.

For a coach that’s called defenses in the Southeastern Conference for nearly a quarter century, questioning Chavis’ logic would be foolish at this point. When recently asked where he would be on gamedays this fall, the leader of the Arkansas defense revealed he planned to be in the press box calling his Razorback defense.

Here’s what Chavis had to say when asked if that was his method in College Station.

“The first two years (at Texas A&M) I was in the box and the last year I was on the sideline,” Chavis answered.

Why the inconsistency there? Apparently, there were “issues” that needed to be resolved and Chavis took it upon himself to handle them on the field.

“I’ll just say that we had some issues that I needed to handle on the field. I think you can do it either place. I think it’s a lot easier to call the game from the box but the interaction you have with players and the staff you have down there will determine a lot of that. I feel very comfortable with the guys we are going to have on the sideline.”

It’s interesting that Chavis noted how comfortable he is with the coaching staff at Arkansas, something that must not have been the case at Texas A&M. Chavis’ feeling of comfort appears to extend beyond Chad Morris’ staff, too, as the Razorback DC notes he’s impressed with his roster heading into the season — particularly up front on the line of scrimmage.

“I feel better, in terms of the numbers of depth, that we have,” Chavis continued. “Certainly, if we can keep our guys healthy up front, we are going to be able to play five defensive tackles, we are going to be able to play at least six defensive ends, and that’s a good starting place.”

Chavis also noted the team has four corners they feel confident with heading into the season, but it appears another early season injury at corner could expose the Razorbacks at this point.

“We have four (corners) that we feel real good about and we got some other guys that are coming,” Chavis said. “I’m not going to separate them for you but there’s no doubt we got four corners we feel comfortable playing in the game.”

Considering all the experience he has, it seems unfathomable that Arkansas’ defense won’t take a big step forward this season. While Morris may be known as an offensive-minded coach, if the Razorbacks are going to reach a bowl game this season, the team’s success will likely have to come from the strides Chavis makes on his side of the ball as the team’s offensive personnel find their footing in the new system after being recruited and developed for Bret Bielema’s style of play.