The Arkansas Razorbacks have made major coaching changes on the defensive side of the ball, dismissing defensive coordinator Travis Williams, co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson, and defensive line coach Deke Adams, the program announced Monday.
Williams was in his third season leading the Razorbacks’ defense after arriving from UCF, while Woodson was also in his third year in Fayetteville following a stint at Florida State as defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator. Adams had been in charge of Arkansas’ defensive line since 2021 after coaching at Florida International.
Taking over defensive play-calling duties will be Chris Wilson, who steps in as interim defensive coordinator. Wilson brings extensive experience at both the college and professional levels, including defensive coordinator roles at Colorado (2021-22), Mississippi State (2010-12), and in spring football with the USFL’s Houston Gamblers and the UFL’s Houston Roughnecks. He was also part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LII championship staff as defensive line coach.
Wilson, in his first season at Arkansas, had been serving as the team’s assistant defensive line coach before the promotion.
Che Hendrix, also in his first year with the program, will coach safeties for the remainder of the season. Hendrix previously compiled a 71-19 record as the head coach at Boerne (TX) High School before joining the Razorbacks’ staff as assistant defensive backs coach and high school relations coordinator.
On the offensive side, Kolby Smith has been elevated to offensive coordinator while Coach Bobby Petrino will continue calling plays on game day. Smith, Arkansas’ running backs coach for the past two seasons, spent four years with the Miami Dolphins and played under Petrino at Louisville before moving on to the NFL as a running back for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Razorbacks have a bye week this week and will return to action on Oct. 11 with a road trip to Tennessee as they look to regroup under the new staff alignment.
