FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Interim Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino dismissed defensive coordinator Travis Williams, co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson and defensive line coach Deke Adams, the university announced Monday.
Williams had spent three years at Arkansas after arriving from UCF, while Woodson directed the secondary and Adams oversaw the defensive line.
The moves came a day after the Razorbacks fired head coach Sam Pittman and elevated Petrino to interim head coach.
The changes followed a 56–13 loss to Notre Dame in Fayetteville in which Arkansas gave up 643 yards and 56 points.
Athletics director Hunter Yurachek said Sunday when announcing Pittman’s dismissal that the program required a different direction.
“I want to thank Coach Pittman for his service and dedication,” Yurachek said. “At this time, however, I feel a change is necessary to put our student-athletes and program in the best position to be successful.”
Wilson named interim defensive play-caller
With Williams, Woodson and Adams removed, Petrino turned to Chris Wilson to handle defensive play-calling as interim coordinator.
Wilson had been serving as an assistant defensive line coach in his first year at Arkansas.
Wilson has coordinated defenses at several levels, including college stints at Mississippi State and Colorado, and professional experience with the Houston Roughnecks of the UFL. He was also part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LII staff as defensive line coach.
Petrino also reassigned Che Hendrix, who joined the program earlier this season as a defensive assistant, to work with the safeties. Hendrix previously spent four years as a high school head coach in Texas.
The moves leave Arkansas with a reshaped defensive structure just as the team heads into a bye week.
Kolby Smith promoted to offensive coordinator
On offense, Petrino promoted Kolby Smith to offensive coordinator while retaining play-calling duties himself.
Smith had been Arkansas’ running backs coach this season after working in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins.
Smith played under Petrino at Louisville before a four-year NFL career. His new role gives him additional responsibility in shaping the Razorbacks’ offensive preparation even as Petrino maintains in-game control.
“Kolby has great knowledge of our system and understands what it takes to prepare players at this level,” Petrino said.
The changes reinforce Petrino’s desire to keep direct influence on the offense while delegating broader responsibilities to trusted assistants.
Arkansas faces challenges ahead
The Razorbacks are 2–3 heading into a bye week before visiting Tennessee on Oct. 11. The program sits at the bottom of the SEC in several defensive categories.
Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, now an ESPN analyst, said the timing of the change made sense.
“After five games, these are when decisions are likely to be made,” McElroy said. “You hate it. I love Sam Pittman to death, but it just wasn’t going in the right direction.”
Arkansas’ search for a permanent head coach is underway, and Yurachek said Petrino will be considered. The former Razorbacks head coach won 34 games from 2008 to 2011 before being dismissed in 2012 following an off-field scandal.
Despite the controversy surrounding his return, Petrino is now positioned to audition for the job over the remainder of the season.
Key takeaways
• Bobby Petrino dismissed three defensive assistants in his first full day as interim head coach.
• Chris Wilson was elevated to interim defensive coordinator, and Kolby Smith was promoted to offensive coordinator.
• Arkansas is 2–3 and searching nationally for its next head coach, with Petrino under consideration.
