Arkansas football has made several changes to its coaching staff, dismissing defensive coordinator Travis Williams, co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson, and defensive line coach Deke Adams.
Williams had been with the Razorbacks for three seasons as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach after coming from UCF. Woodson also served three years as co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach, having previously worked at Florida State as defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator from 2020 to 2022. Adams was in his fourth season leading Arkansas’s defensive line after a stint at Florida International in 2021.
Chris Wilson will serve as interim defensive coordinator and take over play calling on defense. Wilson brings experience from both college and professional football, most recently working as the Houston Roughnecks’ defensive coordinator in the UFL this past spring. He was part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ staff that won Super Bowl LII as their defensive line coach. His prior roles include coordinating defenses for the Houston Gamblers in the USFL, Colorado (2021-22), and Mississippi State—where he was co-defensive coordinator in 2010 before becoming full-time defensive coordinator for two seasons.
Che Hendrix will now coach Arkansas’s safeties. Hendrix is in his first year with the Razorbacks after serving as head coach at Boerne High School in Texas, where he compiled a record of 71-19. He joined Arkansas earlier this year as assistant defensive backs coach and high school relations.
On offense, Kolby Smith will assume offensive coordinator duties while Coach Petrino continues to call plays during games. Smith is in his second season coaching running backs at Arkansas following four years with the Miami Dolphins in the NFL. Smith played under Petrino at Louisville before playing professionally for the Kansas City Chiefs.
After their bye week, Arkansas will face Tennessee on October 11.
