FAYETTEVILLE -- Preceded at the podium by Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema, Paul Rhoads met with media Saturday for the first time since Bielema promoted him from defensive backfield coach to defensive coordinator.
Rhoads, coming to Arkansas last year after head coaching Iowa State from 2009 through 2015 and coordinating defenses at Pittsburgh from 2000 to 2007 and at Auburn in 2008, replaces third-year defensive coordinator Robb Smith.
Smith moved on to coordinate the defense at Minnesota after the 7-6 Razorbacks struggled defensively and Bielema announced a scheme change from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense.
"I knew that if I ever lost Robb, he would be my guy going forward," Bielema said. "As the season played out when opportunities came for Robb, I knew this was the decision I was going to make."
Rhoads asserted his readiness for the task.
"Let me start by saying I am very appreciative to Coach B giving me this opportunity to run this defense," Rhoads said Saturday. "No. 2 really excited to get started, and I am eager about the challenge that goes along with it."
Rhoads was asked by media his length of experience coaching a 3-4 defense.
"One specifically," Rhoads said. "We did it our last year at Iowa State."
Rhoads extolled the scheme's versatility but said no scheme is more important than the players performing with fundamentals and fundamentally executing their assignments.
"You guys are going to get sick of hearing me talking about the fundamentals of getting that accomplished and that won't ever go away," Rhoads said.
Rhoads said "there was nothing addressed" regarding "scheme and Xs and Os" in his first team meeting as defensive coordinator.
"I am a fundamental guy as far as bending your knees, understanding how to change direction, understanding how to play with pad level," Rhoads said. "Understanding the responsibilities that go along with each individual job to collectively give us a chance to play sound defense. That's where it starts. That's what I told the kids we were going to accomplish."
Although Arkansas was short of linebacker depth last year, particularly when Dre Greenlaw, his broken foot recently reinjured, missed six games upon breaking his foot the first time, Bielema said the 3-4 actually lends itself to Arkansas' current personnel that includes several hybrid defensive end-outside linebacker types.
"Without a doubt and for us here at Arkansas it allows us to get more of that under-recruited, undersized speed," Bielema said. "Guys that play well in space. In the 3-4 it's more a pro-style defensive end, outside linebacker. You will have some guys....Randy Ramsey, Michael Taylor, Karl Roesler. Certain guys that are down defensive linemen, but undersized will be stand-up outside linebackers."
Bielema said Rhoads' promotion was unanimously and vociferously approved by the players when announced at Monday's meeting.
The firsthand knowledge of the players he coaches is a plus he's never had assuming previous positions, Rhoads said.
"Both previous coordinator spots I came in blind," Rhoads said. "So not only was I learning a position group at the same time I was learning all the personalities of the defense, who was a hard worker, who was efficient, who was talented and so forth. I have got a little bit of what that this with all of our guys. I also know from the personality of this football team that these kids are eager and intent to be coached and play better both individually and collectively, and we'll take advantage of that knowledge and build on it."
Recruiting is the priority now through the Feb. 1 national signing day followed by numerically replacing Smith on the 9-man full-time assistants staff.
Bielema said there "has been contact" with guys but nothing staff specific other than Alfred Davis, the grad assistant and former Razorbacks defensive lineman, becoming the full-time defensive line coach at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College.
Defensive line coach Rory Segrest, linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves, offensive coordinator Dan Enos, offensive line coach Kurt Anderson, receivers coach Michael Smith and tight ends coach Barry Lunney continue recruiting.
Enos, whose coordinator contract is adjusted annually, got a salary raise to $800,000.
Bielema said various colleges and NFL teams annually express interest in Enos.
"There's guys that have inquired about him and either the contract protected it or his salary did," Bielema said. "Jeff (Long, the athletic director) stepped up to the plate."
Bielema said all his December signees except tight end Jeremy Patton, remaining in junior college this semester, are UA enrolled and ready to participate in the offseason conditioning program and spring practice.
The 15 practices of drills will begin the last week of March, Bielema and be spread out finishing April 29 with the Red-White game.
Sports on 01/22/2017