The Arkansas Razorbacks are making a serious investment in their football program’s future - and the numbers back it up. With the arrival of new coordinators Ron Roberts, Tim Cramsey, and Chad Lunsford, the Razorbacks are committing nearly $3.4 million annually to their top assistants, a clear signal that the program is aiming to level up on both sides of the ball - and in special teams.
Ron Roberts: A Defensive Architect with a $2M Blueprint
Let’s start with Ron Roberts, who now holds the distinction of being the highest-paid assistant coach in Arkansas history. His deal?
A three-year contract worth $2 million annually, broken down into a $300,000 base salary and a hefty $1.7 million in additional compensation from the Razorback Foundation. That puts him in elite company - tied for eighth nationally in assistant coach salaries according to 2024 data, right alongside names like Chip Kelly at Ohio State and Morgan Scalley at Utah.
Roberts brings nearly three decades of coaching experience, with 17 of those years spent running defenses. He’s also no stranger to leading a program - his 11-year stint as a head coach at the FCS level saw him rack up an impressive 89-45 record. Most recently, he served as defensive coordinator at Baylor under Dave Aranda, a former pupil of his, where he helped mold one of the Big 12’s more disciplined units.
Roberts has coached at programs across the South - from Florida to Louisiana to Texas - and brings a reputation for building physical, fundamentally sound defenses. He’s not just a hire for today; he’s a foundational piece for where Arkansas wants to go defensively.
Tim Cramsey: Offensive Firepower with a Proven Track Record
On the other side of the ball, Arkansas is handing the keys to the offense to Tim Cramsey, who comes in with a three-year deal worth $1.4 million annually ($300,000 in salary and $1.1 million in other compensation). That figure places him in a tie for 29th nationally among assistant coaches, alongside the likes of Larry Johnson (Ohio State), Will Stein (Oregon), and Wes Goodwin (Clemson).
Cramsey, 50, brings 17 years of experience as a collegiate offensive coordinator, most recently calling plays at Memphis since 2022. His career has taken him through a variety of offensive systems and schools - from Marshall to Nevada to Montana State - and he’s consistently shown an ability to adapt and produce. Whether it’s building high-tempo attacks or developing quarterbacks, Cramsey’s resume suggests he’s more than capable of crafting a modern, balanced offense in Fayetteville.
He’s walking into a program hungry for offensive identity and consistency, and his experience across multiple conferences and offensive styles makes him a strong fit for that challenge.
Chad Lunsford: Special Teams Stability with Head Coaching Credentials
Rounding out the trio is Chad Lunsford, who takes over as special teams coordinator with a two-year deal worth $285,000 annually - $250,000 in salary and another $35,000 in other compensation. While his paycheck is smaller than his coordinator counterparts, Lunsford brings head coaching experience and a deep background in special teams.
At 48, Lunsford is fresh off a season as special teams coordinator at Auburn and previously served as head coach at Georgia Southern from 2017 to 2021, where he posted a 28-21 record. He also stepped in as interim head coach at Florida Atlantic in 2024, going 1-1. His coaching roots run deep in Georgia, and his 29-year career has largely been spent in the Southeast - a valuable asset when it comes to recruiting and regional familiarity.
Lunsford replaces Scott Fountain, who held the special teams job at Arkansas for six seasons. With Lunsford, the Razorbacks are getting a detail-oriented coach who understands the nuances of the third phase of the game - and who’s been in the big chair before.
The Bigger Picture
This coaching staff overhaul is part of a broader reset under head coach Ryan Silverfield, who took over the reins in Fayetteville. With Cramsey running the offense, Roberts commanding the defense, and Lunsford overseeing special teams, Arkansas is building a staff with a blend of experience, leadership, and regional ties.
Here’s how the key roles break down across the staff:
Offense
- Tim Cramsey - Offensive Coordinator
- Clint Trickett - Quarterbacks
- Larry Smith - Wide Receivers
- Morgan Turner - Tight Ends
- David Johnson - Running Backs
- Marcus Johnson & Jeff Myers - Offensive Line
Defense
- Ron Roberts - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
- Marion Hobby - Defensive Line
- Deron Wilson, TJ Rushing, CJ Wilford, Eddie Hicks - Secondary
Special Teams
- Chad Lunsford - Special Teams Coordinator
Support Staff
- Gaizka Crowley - Football GM
- Nick Matthews - Senior Offensive Analyst
- Scott Gasper - Title TBD
Not all staff roles are officially confirmed, but the core is already in place. And with this level of investment - both financial and strategic - Arkansas is clearly betting big on this new era.
Final Thoughts
You don’t shell out nearly $3.4 million a year on coordinators unless you’re serious about changing the trajectory of your program. Arkansas is doing just that.
With experienced minds like Roberts, Cramsey, and Lunsford leading the charge, the Razorbacks are aiming to be smarter, tougher, and more disciplined across the board. Now, it’s about translating that into wins on Saturdays.