From Kyle Parkinson
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas football has dismissed defensive coordinator Travis Williams, co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson and defensive line coach Deke Adams.
Williams was in his third season as the Arkansas defensive coordinator and linebackers coach after joining the program from UCF. Woodson was also in his third year with the Razorbacks as the team’s co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach. He was the defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator at Florida State from 2020-22. Adams was in his fourth season leading the Hogs’ defensive line after coaching at Florida International in 2021.
Chris Wilson will take over defensive play calling duties as the team’s interim defensive coordinator. Wilson has experience as a defensive coordinator in his long career in college and professional football, having recently served as the defensive coordinator for the Houston Roughnecks in the UFL this past spring. He won Super Bowl LII as a part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ staff as the team’s defensive line coach. He also coordinated defenses for the Houston Gamblers of the USFL and in the college ranks at Colorado (2021-22) and at Mississippi State as the co-defensive coordinator in 2010 then the defensive coordinator for two seasons (2011-12). Wilson is in his first season at Arkansas and was previously working with the Razorbacks’ defensive line this season as the team’s assistant defensive line coach.
Che Hendrix will coach the team’s safeties. Hendrix is in his first season at Arkansas after serving as the head coach at Boerne (TX) High School. He joined the Hogs as the assistant defensive backs coach/high school relations earlier this year. At Boerne HS, he was 71-19 as the head coach.
On the offensive side of the ball, Kolby Smith will take over offensive coordinator duties while Coach Petrino continues to call plays during games. Smith is in his second season as the Razorbacks’ running backs coach after working for four seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. Smith played for Petrino at Louisville for four seasons before playing in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Following the team’s bye week, the Razorbacks will travel to Tennessee on Oct. 11.
