Arkansas is reportedly pursuing defensive line coach with SEC, NFL experience
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Arkansas is trying to fill out its coaching staff for the 2026 season under new head coach Ryan Silverfield, and it has its eyes on a candidate for defensive line coach who would bring a wealth of experience.
According to a report by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports on Saturday night, Arkansas‘s target is veteran defensive line coach Marion Hobby, who would come to Fayetteville and join Silverfield’s first staff with the Hogs. Thie Razorbacks are trying to pick up the pieces in 2026 after a disastrous 2025 season that saw Sam Pittman get fired as head coach. Arkansas ultimately finished with a 2-10 overall record and went winless in the SEC.
The Hogs are trying to turn it all around next season under Silverfield, and they’re reportedly zeroing in on Hobby to run their defensive line.
Hobby wouldn’t just be bringing experience from the SEC with him to Arkansas, he just spent this season in the conference, coaching on Tennessee‘s staff.
He also has deep NFL ties as a defensive line coach for 8 combined seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars and Cincinnati Bengals. Hobby was also a co-defensive coordinator at Clemson, so his experience in big-time college football also includes time in the ACC.
Now, Hobby reportedly could be staying in the SEC for a 2nd straight season as Arkansas tries to close a deal with the veteran defensive line mastermind.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
