Bret Bielema Likes His Coaching Staff; Hopes For No Changes

Bret Bielema addressed the media Monday after the overtime loss to Mississippi State in Little Rock Saturday and said he likes the coaching staff he currently has in place and hopes there will be no changes to it in the off season.

Bielema also discussed the Razorbacks’ uniforms, which on Saturday featured anthracite (grey) from helmets to pants, saying that response from players and recruits had been positive but that the team would be getting new jerseys again next year. Perhaps something a little more traditional, like the uniforms worn during the Darren McFadden playing days.

Bielema also said his message to his team Sunday was “Let’s embrace these next six days. Have fun with it and make the most of a difficult situation.”

Here is video featuring Bret Bielema discussing the impact of true freshmen who contributed this season for the Razorbacks.

Here are brief bios of key members of Bielema’s coaching staff from us before the season began:

On Offense:

Jim Chaney: Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

Has coached in the NFL (Rams), SEC (Tennessee) and Big Ten (Purdue). Has served as Recruiting Coordinator at three schools and has brought in highly rated recruiting classes.

Notable players: Drew Brees, Tyler Bray, Steven Jackson, Tauren Poole and Justin Hunter.

If you’ve watched Tennessee over the past couple of seasons, it’s pretty clear that the offense wasn’t the problem. Last year, Tennessee scored more than 30 points nine times and lost four of them. Utilizing elements of the Spread and the Pro Style offenses, Chaney’s teams were balanced, deadly and could strike from anywhere on the field. Very good at QB development, game planning and play calling.

Michael Smith: Wide Receivers

Has coached in the NFL (Kansas City), the BIG 12 (Kansas State), the PAC 12 (Arizona) and CUSA (Rice).was named one of the top 10 recruiters in the Big 12 Conference in 2012 by Rivals. Smith has deep recruiting ties in Louisiana – especially in talent-rich New Orleans.

Notable players: Chris Harper, Tyler Lockett, Aubrey Quarles, Brandon Banks, Mike Thomas, Darren Sproles, and Alex Smith.

During his playing career, Smith was one the Big Eight’s all-time great receivers. He concluded his playing career as the Big Eight’s second-leading receiver with 179 receptions, trailing just All-American Hart Lee Dykes. The total of 179 catches ranked 40th in NCAA history at the time.

Sam Pittman: Offensive Line

Has coached at Tennessee, North Carolina and Oklahoma. Named a Top 25 recruiter by ESPN. Has been associate/assistant Head Coach at NC and Northern Illinois.

Notable players: Michael Turner, Garrett Wolfe, Alex Hurst, Kiaro Holt and Jonathan Cooper.

This guy just looks the part of an offensive line coach. Looking deeper and we find that he is an outstanding coach and an excellent recruiter. While he is a bit of a coaching vagabond, his coaching skill cannot be questioned. His offensive lines at both NC and Tenn were very good at keeping a QB on his feet and allowing them to perform at a very high level.

Joel Thomas: Running Backs

Has coached at Purdue, Washington and Louisville. Strong recruiting ties in Texas. 4 straight years of 1,000 yard rushers at Washington. Excels at teaching ball security. In 2003, Louisville averaged 228.2 rushing yards per game.

Notable players: Chris Polk, Bishop Sankey, Kory Sheets and Tim Stratton.

Coach Thomas has produced 1,000+ yard running backs everywhere he has coached, with players receiving many post-season honors. An outstanding running back himself, he is a very good teacher of the position. His players run hard, run well and don’t put the ball on the ground. He was Associate Head Coach at Washington and is considered a very good recruiter.

Barry Lunney Jr.: Tight Ends

A name immediately recognized by any Hog Fan, Barry Lunney Jr. joins the Razorbacks staff as Tight Ends Coach. Has coached at Arkansas, Tulsa, San Jose State and high school powerhouse Bentonville.

As a player for the Razorbacks, Lunney lettered from 1992-95, starting 40 games at quarterback, and was a team captain on the 1995 team that played in the SEC Championship Game for the first time in school history. In his first game as the starting quarterback, he led Arkansas to an upset win at No. 4 Tennessee. He left Arkansas holding UA career records for passing yards, passing touchdowns, pass completions, pass attempts and total offense plays. 

On Defense:

Chris Ash: Defensive Coordinator

Has coached at Wisconsin and Iowa State. His arrival at Wisconsin coincides with a notable improvement in defensive statistics across the board. His background is in coaching defensive backs.

Notable players: Marcus Cromartie, J.J. Watt, Devin Smith, Brendan Kelly, Chris Borland and Tyler Dippel.

Chris Ash joins the Razorbacks from Wisconsin and Coach Bielema’s staff there where he was Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs coach. High rankings, post-season awards and good player development are the hallmarks of his defenses. We are assuming his duties will also include defensive backs.

Charlie Partridge: Defensive Line

Has coached at Wisconsin, Pitt and Iowa State. His defensive lines at Wisconsin were consistently great, even in ‘rebuilding’ years. Very good at player development. Has excelled as Special Teams coordinator.

Notable players: Darrelle Revis, Marcus Cromartie, David Gilbert O’Brien Schofield, Matt Shaughnessy, Mike Newkirk, Phillip Welch and Brad Nortman

This is the guy. His defensive lines are consistently very good-to-great. Statistically, his units are near the top in three-and-outs, third down defense, sacks, pass defense and rush defense time and time again. Of all the coaches we’d hoped Coach Bielema would bring with him, this is the guy. In addition to his defensive line duties, we’re hoping he will have the Special Teams responsibilities because he has been an outstanding coach of that unit.

Randy Shannon: Linebackers

Has coached at TCU, Miami and Dolphins. His stint at the University of Miami as Defensive Coordinator was noted for producing top ten defensive rankings in every year but one. Outstanding recruiter with deep ties in Florida. His Miami teams were good at academics and stayed out of trouble, and a former Broyles Award winner.

Notable Players: Ray Lewis, Jonathan Vilma, D.J. Williams, Jon Beason, Rocky McIntosh, Ed Reed, Antrel Rolle, and many others.

We’ll admit — we’re a little amazed at this one. We’d been hearing the rumor for a couple of weeks, but thought it just wishful thinking. Turns out, the rumors were true. Coach Shannon has a proven history of coaching Linebackers at a very high level. A part of three National Championship teams – one a player and two as a coach – at Miami, he brings a credibility that can’t be overlooked. He is also a proven recruiter and a man of outstanding character, responsible for cleaning up the character issues that had plagued Miami since time immemorial.

Taver Johnson: Cornerbacks

Johnson is the lone hold-over from the previous coaching staff. Has coached in the NFL (Browns), at Ohio State, Notre Dame and Miami (Ohio).

Notable Players: Malcom Jenkins, Terrell Jones, Terna Nande and John Busing.

During his five seasons in Columbus, Ohio State put together a record of 50-15 that included four straight Big Ten titles and BCS appearances. Johnson helped produce 2008 Jim Thorpe Award winner Malcolm Jenkins, who was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten performer. The Buckeyes had three cornerbacks selected in the NFL Drafts between 2008-12, led by Jenkins as the 14th overall pick by New Orleans in 2009. Ohio State had three different cornerbacks earn four first-team All-Big Ten honors under Johnson.