Following a deeply disappointing defensive season in Fayetteville, staff changes were inevitable at Arkansas this offseason. With former coordinator Robb Smith officially moving on to Minnesota, Bret Bielema has acted swiftly to name his new defensive coordinator.
The Razorbacks will promote from within and name current defensive backs coach Paul Rhoads as the team’s new defensive coordinator.
It was our first team meeting tonight & awesome reaction as I waited to tell our crew that @CoachRhoadsUA is our new DC. #WoooPig #CountOnMe
— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) January 17, 2017
In his only season as the team’s defensive backs coach, Arkansas improved from the SEC’s worst pass defense to its eighth-ranked unit. The Razorback’s defense gave up just over 221 passing yards a game after surrendering over 275 passing yards per game in 2015.
Rhoads joined the Arkansas staff last offseason after serving as Iowa State’s head coach for seven seasons. This promotion leads to Rhoads’ second stint as a defensive coordinator in the SEC, as he served in that role at Auburn in 2008.
Bielema has suggested the team will shift toward more 3-4 looks this offseason, something Rhoads could be responsible for accomplishing in Fayetteville, if in fact, that’s the direction the team goes before the 2017 season begins.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
