Arkansas is undergoing a reset in the wake of Sam Pittman’s dismissal. One of the first significant moves under interim head coach Bobby Petrino came on the defensive side.
According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, the Razorbacks have parted ways with defensive coordinator Travis Williams, defensive line coach Deke Adams, and defensive assistant Marcus Woodson. The shake-up show the urgency within the program as Petrino looks for a turnaround in the second half of the season.
Williams’ departure stands out given his strong resume. A former Auburn linebacker and two-time All-SEC pick, Williams transitioned into coaching in 2009 and climbed the ranks quickly. His work at Auburn and later UCF positioned him as one of the rising defensive minds in college football. At Arkansas, he was a Broyles Award nominee twice and initially provided stability to a defense that had struggled for years.
However, Arkansas allowed 129 points in its last three outings, including a crushing 56-spot by Notre Dame that sealed Pittman’s fate. The Razorbacks rank at the bottom end of the SEC in every major defensive category, which is a stark reality that left Williams’ unable to shield himself from accountability after Pittman was let go.
Petrino’s decision to cut ties with three assistants is a schematic reboot. The program’s immediate goal is to salvage momentum in a season that has already slipped to 2-3 overall. But it will be tough as five of the remaining seven games are against ranked opponents.
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