FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas continues to reshape its football staff under new head coach Ryan Silverfield, and the latest expected addition is Cincinnati cornerbacks coach Eddie Hicks. While Arkansas hasn’t officially announced the hire or clarified Hicks’ role, all signs point to him joining the Razorbacks’ defensive staff.
Hicks would be the fourth defensive backs coach connected to Arkansas since Silverfield took over on November 30. It’s clear the Razorbacks are putting serious emphasis on rebuilding the secondary - a unit that struggled at times last season - and Hicks brings a resume that shows he’s been around the block in college football.
Before joining Cincinnati earlier this year, Hicks served as the lead defensive analyst at LSU from 2023 to 2024. That stint gave him exposure to SEC-level competition and structure, even if it wasn’t in an on-field coaching role.
At Cincinnati, the Bearcats defense had its challenges - finishing 13th in the Big 12 in passing yards allowed per game (230) and ranking last in the FBS with just two interceptions. Still, it’s worth noting that coaching transitions and roster turnover played a big role in those numbers.
Hicks stepped into a tough spot and gained valuable experience coaching at the Power Five level.
His coaching journey has taken him across the college football landscape. He was the cornerbacks coach at Jacksonville State in 2022, and before that, he held the same title at Charlotte from 2019 to 2021.
He’s also had stops at Southern Miss, Austin Peay, and Murray State. Earlier in his career, Hicks worked behind the scenes as a defensive quality control assistant at Cal in 2014 and as a graduate assistant at both Cincinnati and Alcorn State.
If Hicks does land in Fayetteville, he’ll join a defensive staff that’s coming together quickly. Defensive coordinator Ron Roberts, fresh off a stint at Florida, is expected to lead the unit. The Razorbacks are also bringing in veteran defensive line coach Marion Hobby (Tennessee), secondary coach Deron Wilson (Florida), safeties coach CJ Wilford (Georgia State), and cornerbacks coach TJ Rushing (Auburn).
That’s a lot of defensive minds in the room - and a lot of SEC and Power Five experience. Silverfield appears to be building a deep, experienced defensive staff with a clear focus on tightening up the back end of the defense. Hicks, with his wide-ranging background and recent Power Five experience, fits that mold.
While we wait for official confirmation from the program, the Razorbacks’ coaching picture is starting to come into focus - and it’s one that leans heavily on defensive expertise.