Report: DC Travis Williams, others fired from Arkansas staff
New Arkansas interim head football coach Bobby Petrino is already making moves to his staff, it was reported Monday.
Defensive coordinator Travis Williams, along with co-DC Marcus Woodson and defensive line coach Deke Adams all have been let go. The latter two being dismissed was first reported by Pete Thamel.
Sam Pittman was fired by Arkansas on Sunday and Petrino was named the interim in the press release. Petrino “has expressed his desire to be a candidate for the full-time job,” per Arkansas Athletics Director Hunter Yurachek.
The Razorbacks, now 2-3 (0-1 SEC) following Saturday’s 56-13 home loss to No. 22 Notre Dame, are losers of three straight games thanks in large part to a porous defensive unit.
Also read: Sam Pittman out as Arkansas HC, Bobby Petrino named interim
Hired by Arkansas in December of 2022, Williams led a defense that ranks 116th in total defense (425 YPG), 102nd in rushing defense (168 YPG) and 109th in passing yards allowed (257 YPG) through the first five matchups of the season. In the Razorbacks’ most recent loss to the Fighting Irish, Arkansas’ defense gave up 210 rushing and 431 passing yards.
Woodson came to Arkansas as co-DC in 2023, the same year as Williams, while Adams has coached Arkansas’ defensive line since 2022.
A source told HawgBeat that secondary coach Nick Perry and assistant defensive line coach Chris Wilson are expected to be retained and play a key role in defensive game planning.
Perhaps the most disappointing part of Arkansas’ defense this season has been the linebacker group, specifically returners Xavian Sorey Jr. (57.0 season PFF grade) and Stephen Dix Jr. (63.6 season PFF grade).
Williams, who played the position at Auburn from 2001-05 and coached it at different points throughout his career, failed to create a productive unit despite having experience on the roster.
Last season, Arkansas’ defense finished ranked 66th in scoring defense (25.0 PPG), 73rd in total defense (376.1 YPG), 34th in rushing defense (129.2 YPG) and 110th in passing yards allowed (246.9 YPG).
Those statistics include blowout losses to Ole Miss (63-31) and LSU (34-10).
Also read: PFF grades, takeaways from Arkansas’ loss to Notre Dame
The Hogs attempted to revamp the secondary over the offseason through the transfer portal and with the hiring of secondary coach Nick Perry, but those efforts fell flat against quality competition.
Next up, the Razorbacks have a bye week to regroup ahead of a ranked road matchup against Tennessee on Oct. 11.
