Sam Pittman reveals biggest difference on defense under Travis Williams

This offseason, Sam Pittman and Arkansas had to replace both of his coordinators. On the defensive side of the ball that meant bringing in Travis Williams.

Now, Pittman has explained the biggest difference in the defense now.

“I think the biggest thing, we’re gonna have four bigs on the field, you know, on the d-line,” Sam Pittman said. “I think that’s the biggest thing that I wanted. Sometimes we weren’t able to do that just because of personnel, but I think we’re set up better for that now.”

Travis Williams was most recently the defensive coordinator at UCF under Gus Malzahn. Prior to that, he was the co-defensive coordinator at Auburn, linebackers coach, and defensive analyst. Auburn is also where Williams played his college ball, having been a First-Team All-SEC linebacker in 2004.

“Right now, he has installed through our walks, field and boundary blitzes. Things of that nature. We haven’t gotten too extreme, but we are running multiple fronts and things of that nature with movement, and I think what he does will fit our personnel very, very well.”

Travis Williams on Arkansas’ mindset

When he was first hired by Arkansas in December, Travis Williams explained the mindset that he wants the Razorbacks’ defense to play with.

“We’re going to get to the ball. Alright, we’re gonna get to the ball. We’re gonna play intimidating defense. You’re going to see the guys play hard. So, one of the best things you can get from a coach–from the opposing coach–your guys played hard,” Williams said.

“You know, so when you watch us, we’re gonna play hard, we’re gonna play physical. We have that mental and physical toughness that you need to play. You know, we’re gonna get our tail to the ball, and it’s gonna be sound. It’s gonna be sound defense. But, at the same time, when teams watch us, they want to watch us and say okay, those guys play hard and they play physical.”