The Arkansas Razorbacks have made it official - five new assistant coaches are joining Sam Pittman’s staff, signaling a significant shake-up across multiple units. The hires include Deron Wilson as co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach, Morgan Turner returning as tight ends coach, Marcus Johnson taking over the offensive line, Clint Trickett stepping in as quarterbacks coach, and Kynjee' Cotton leading the defensive line while also serving as run game coordinator on defense.
Let’s break down what each of these hires brings to the table and how they fit into the Razorbacks’ evolving identity heading into the next chapter of the Pittman era.
Deron Wilson: A Familiar Face with a Fresh Title
Wilson’s return to Fayetteville adds a layer of continuity to the defensive backfield - and now, with added responsibility. After coaching Arkansas’ secondary in 2023 and 2024, Wilson briefly departed for Georgia State as defensive coordinator, then pivoted to Florida to coach defensive backs. But now he’s back, this time with the co-defensive coordinator title in hand.
Wilson knows the SEC grind, and more importantly, he knows this Razorbacks roster. His previous stint in Fayetteville helped build a foundation in the secondary, and now he’s tasked with elevating that unit while working in tandem with the broader defensive staff. His coaching stops at McNeese (as DC) and Florida (as a quality control coach and later DBs coach) show a coach who’s steadily climbed the ladder - and who’s now positioned to make a bigger impact.
Morgan Turner: Tight End Whisperer Returns
Turner’s back for his fourth season with Arkansas, and his track record speaks volumes. Before arriving in 2023, he spent 13 seasons at Stanford - 10 of those as tight ends coach - where he helped turn the position into a pipeline to the NFL. We’re talking about names like Zach Ertz, Dalton Schultz, Austin Hooper, and Colby Parkinson, among others.
Turner’s ability to develop tight ends isn’t just about technique - it’s about preparing them to be versatile weapons in both the passing and blocking game. His return ensures that Arkansas continues to have a strong presence at a position that’s increasingly valuable in today’s college offenses. And with the Razorbacks looking to solidify their offensive identity, having a proven developer like Turner in the room is a major plus.
Marcus Johnson: SEC Pedigree in the Trenches
If there’s one hire that screams “SEC toughness,” it’s Marcus Johnson. A former All-SEC lineman at Ole Miss, Johnson brings a player’s edge and a coach’s resume that’s been built across some of the toughest jobs in college football. After five years in the NFL, he transitioned into coaching with stops at Duke, Mississippi State, Missouri, Purdue, and most recently Ohio State.
Johnson's offensive lines have consistently played with physicality and discipline - traits that Arkansas will need to re-establish up front. His experience working alongside coaches like Joe Moorhead and Ryan Walters gives him a broad offensive perspective, and his time as assistant head coach and run game coordinator at Missouri shows he’s more than just a position coach. He’s a leader and a tone-setter.
Clint Trickett: Quarterback Developer with a Broad Playbook
Trickett’s coaching journey has taken him from East Mississippi CC to Jacksonville State, with stops at Florida Atlantic, Marshall, and Georgia Southern along the way. He’s worn a lot of hats - quarterbacks coach, tight ends coach, pass game coordinator, offensive coordinator - and that versatility is key in today’s ever-evolving offensive schemes.
At Marshall, his 2022 offense ranked second in the Sun Belt in rushing, showing his ability to build a ground game while still developing the passing attack. Trickett’s quarterback background - and his time calling plays - gives Arkansas a coach who understands the position from every angle. He’s not just teaching mechanics; he’s teaching decision-making, timing, and how to lead an offense.
With Trickett guiding the quarterbacks, Arkansas is betting on a coach who’s been in the fire and knows how to adapt to different personnel and systems. That kind of flexibility is going to be crucial.
Kynjee' Cotton: NFL Experience Meets SEC Grit
Cotton’s the one true newcomer of the group - his hire hadn’t been reported prior to the official announcement - but he arrives with a résumé that’s as diverse as it is impressive. Most recently, he spent two seasons with the Miami Dolphins as assistant defensive line coach, bringing valuable NFL experience to the college ranks.
But Cotton’s no stranger to the SEC. He was a senior defensive analyst at LSU in 2023 and got his start in the conference as a strength and conditioning assistant at Alabama back in 2013. His college coaching stops include UAB, North Carolina, West Georgia, Samford, and Kennesaw State, where he’s worked with defensive lines and edge rushers at nearly every level.
As Arkansas’ new defensive line coach and run game coordinator on defense, Cotton will be tasked with building a front that can hold up against the physicality of the SEC. His NFL experience should serve him well in developing technique and teaching players how to win at the point of attack.
What It All Means for Arkansas
This wave of hires shows a clear intent: Arkansas is looking to blend experience with upside, familiarity with fresh ideas. Wilson and Turner bring continuity and proven results.
Johnson adds SEC toughness and leadership in the trenches. Trickett injects creativity and quarterback development.
Cotton brings NFL-level teaching and a deep understanding of defensive front play.
For a program looking to bounce back and reestablish itself in the SEC pecking order, these hires represent a calculated step forward. The Razorbacks aren’t just filling vacancies - they’re building a staff that can recruit, develop, and compete at the highest level.
And with these coaches now officially in place, the next phase begins: getting to work.