Arkansas adds veteran NFL defensive assistant to staff
Arkansas interim head coach Bobby Petrino has added veteran NFL assistant Jay Hayes to his staff as defensive line coach, On3’s Chris Low reports.
Hayes spent 13 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals where coached the likes of Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap, plus had collegiate stints at Notre Dame and Wisconsin, where his last college stint was in 1998.
Hayes also worked in the pros for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers. In all, Hayes worked at the highest level for 20 seasons. He most recently served as defensive coordinator of the XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks (2020) and The Spring League’s Team Jousters (2021).
After three defensive coaches were let go – coordinator Travis Williams, co-DC Marcus Woodson and line coach Deke Adams – assistant defensive line coach Chris Wilson was elevated to interim defensive coordinator and Che Hendrix will coach the safeties. Petrino added that graduate assistants are helping out with linebackers.
