LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) – The Arkansas Razorbacks will hire Chad Morris as the next head football coach, making him the 33rd head coach for the program.
Morris has served as the head coach for the SMU Mustangs since 2015 after leaving his offensive coordinator position at Clemson University.
I’ve been told Chad Morris has informed SMU he has accepted the job with Arkansas. He’s coming to Fayetteville. First reported by @ClowESPN
— Hayden Balgavy (@HaydenBalgavy) December 6, 2017
He was 7-5 this year at SMU, 4-4 in the American Athletic Conference. Morris’ overall record since starting at head coach at SMU is 14-22, and 8-16 in the AAC.
"I am confident that Chad will bring an exciting brand of football, phenomenal student-athletes and championships to Fayetteville, and do it all with high integrity," said new Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek.
According to multiple reports, Morris held a team meeting this morning with the Mustangs football team to tell them about his decision to come to the Natural State.
Jeff Traylor has been named interim HC at SMU. @THV11
— Hayden Balgavy (@HaydenBalgavy) December 6, 2017
Jeff Traylor has been named interim head coach for the Mustangs.
The new Director of Athletics, Hunter Yurachek, released a statement on the hiring of Morris.
“The future is tremendously bright at the University of Arkansas with the addition of Chad Morris. I am confident that Chad will bring an exciting brand of football, phenomenal student-athletes, and championships to Fayetteville, and do it all with high integrity. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the incredible work of Julie Cromer Peoples in leading a comprehensive search and helping to bring a high caliber coach to Arkansas.”
Morris has agreed to a six-year contract and is expected to make $3.5 million annually.
In December of 2012, the University of Arkansas announced they would hire Bret Bielema, who was the current head coach at the University of Wisconsin. Bielema had been the head coach for the Badgers since 2006. Bielema held a record of 29-34 for the Arkansas Razorbacks and ended the 2017 season 4-8, and 1-7 in the SEC West. The university decided to let him go after the 48-45 loss against the Missouri Tigers on November 24, 2017.
