Arkansas will reportedly hire Texas A&M defensive coordinator John Chavis for the same position, according to Jeff Rickard of ESPN 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis.
Chavis, 61, is one of the most experienced assistant coaches in the SEC, having spent 29 consecutive seasons working at Tennessee (1989-2008), LSU (2009-14) and most recently with the Aggies (2015-17), which includes more than 20 years working as a defensive coordinator.
He was also among the highest-paid coordinators in college football last season, earning an annual salary of $1.6 million. Only Clemson's Brent Veneables and LSU's Dave Aranda were paid more in 2017.
A&M ranked 63rd in total defense this season, while the Razorbacks ranked No. 102 overall, playing a key role in their 4-8 overall record.
Arkansas hired new head coach Chad Morris to replace Bret Bielema earlier this month. Morris has spent the past three seasons at SMU, where he compiled a 14-22 (8-16 AAC) overall record after inheriting a team that had previously finished its season at 1-11 (1-7).
SMU improved its record during each of his three seasons in Dallas, which included a 7-5 finish in 2017.
Morris had previously worked as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Clemson from 2011-14 and Tulsa in 2010 before that.
Morris also spent 16 seasons coaching high school football in Texas, where he recorded a 169-38 overall career record, including leading Lake Travis High School to consecutive 16-0 seasons and state title seasons in 2008-09.
