Just after the news broke that the Razorbacks made a big move in hiring University of Houston’s athletic director Hunter Yurachek to the same postion the University of Arkansas, more news broke that the Razorbacks closed their open head coach position with the hiring of SMU head coach Chad Morris to replace Bret Bielema, who was fired after five seasons at the school last month.
BREAKING: #SMU coach Chad Morris has informed the team and school officials that he'll be the next Arkansas head coach. Story: https://t.co/geF2gskyWW pic.twitter.com/JuhSl7t1J4
— Billy Embody (@BillyEmbody) December 6, 2017
Arkansas is expected to name SMU's Chad Morris as head coach later today sometime after the new AD is introduced. Morris is expected to be introduced at a press conference tomorrow. Deal has still not officially been signed but should be later this morning.
— Bo Mattingly (@SportandStoryBo) December 6, 2017
Arkansas and Chad Morris agree to a deal, and the Hogs plan to annnounce him as head coach later Wednesday, sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) December 6, 2017
Morris leaves SMU compiling a 14-22 record with the Mustangs. He was previously the offensive coordinator at Clemson. After leaving that position, Morris was hired by the Mustangs in 2014 and turned program with a losing record (1-11) into a bowl participating team going 7-5 this season with a berth in the Frisco Bowl.
Morris made a big time name for himself in his stint of Texas high school football coaching where he coached numerous powerhouse programs such as Stephenville, Bay City, Elysian Fields, and Eustace. He’s also well known for having shaped players like former Longhorn quarterback Garrett Gilbert at Lake Travis.
Morris has been a highly sought after coach and now he’ll be taking his talents further east to Fayetteville. Per Billy Embody, assistant head coach Jeff Traylor will be the Mustangs interim head coach.
#SMU's interim coach will be associate head coach and running backs coach Jeff Traylor, a source told @SMU247. Story: https://t.co/dPqpLEThX9 pic.twitter.com/BW7d9J6GPu
— Billy Embody (@BillyEmbody) December 6, 2017
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