The Arkansas Razorbacks are making it clear: they’re not just rebuilding-they’re reloading, and they’re not sparing any expense to do it.
Over the past few days, Arkansas officially announced six new assistant coaches, bringing the total number of hires under new head coach leadership to nine. That includes three coordinators and head strength and conditioning coach Noah Franklin.
And while the names are important, the numbers might be even more telling. The Razorbacks have already committed $6.235 million in salaries for eight on-field assistants-a figure that nearly matches the previous full assistant salary pool of $6.465 million.
And they’re not done yet.
Let’s break down where that money’s going and what it says about Arkansas’ new approach.
The Latest Wave: Six New Coaches, All Locked In
On Thursday, Arkansas officially added Eddie Hicks (cornerbacks), Marion Hobby (defensive line), and David Johnson (running backs) to its staff. That trio joins Wednesday’s additions: Jeff Myers (offensive line coach and run game coordinator), Larry Smith (wide receivers), and Noah Franklin (head strength and conditioning).
All six new contracts run through February 28, 2028, and each includes a base salary supplemented by significant “other compensation” provided by the Razorback Foundation-the university’s fundraising arm. That’s a key detail, because it shows how Arkansas is leveraging every available resource to build out this staff.
Here’s how the numbers shake out:
- Eddie Hicks (Cornerbacks): $400,000 annually - $250,000 base salary, $150,000 in Razorback Foundation compensation.
- Marion Hobby (Defensive Line): $700,000 total - $250,000 base salary, $450,000 in additional compensation.
- David Johnson (Running Backs): $550,000 - $250,000 base, $300,000 from the Foundation.
- Jeff Myers (Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator): $500,000 - split evenly between base and additional.
- Larry Smith (Wide Receivers): $400,000 - $250,000 base, $150,000 in Foundation support.
- Noah Franklin (Head Strength & Conditioning): $400,000 - same breakdown as Smith and Hicks.
These aren’t throwaway hires. These are experienced coaches, and Arkansas is paying them accordingly.
The Big Three: Coordinators Set the Tone
Earlier in the week, Arkansas unveiled its new coordinator trio-Ron Roberts (defense), Tim Cramsey (offense), and Chad Lunsford (special teams). And if the assistant salaries raised eyebrows, the coordinator numbers are even more eye-popping.
- Ron Roberts (Defensive Coordinator): $2 million annually - just $300,000 in base salary, but a whopping $1.7 million in Foundation compensation. That makes Roberts the highest-paid assistant in Arkansas history.
His deal runs through February 2029.
- Tim Cramsey (Offensive Coordinator): $1.4 million - $300,000 base, $1.1 million from the Foundation. Like Roberts, he’s signed through 2029.
- Chad Lunsford (Special Teams Coordinator): $285,000 - $250,000 base, $35,000 in additional compensation. His deal runs through February 2028.
These contracts aren’t just about money-they’re about commitment. Arkansas is locking in high-level assistants for multiple years, signaling a desire for long-term stability and a unified vision on both sides of the ball.
What’s Still to Come
Here’s the kicker: Arkansas isn’t done. There are still at least five more hires expected to be finalized and announced.
That includes Clint Trickett (quarterbacks), Marcus Johnson (offensive line), Morgan Turner (tight ends), Deron Wilson (secondary), and CJ Wilford (safeties). There’s also buzz that TJ Rushing could be joining the secondary staff as well.
And remember, the $6.235 million figure doesn’t even include the $400,000 salary for strength coach Noah Franklin. Once the full staff is in place, Arkansas will almost certainly blow past its previous assistant salary pool.
The Bigger Picture
This aggressive investment in coaching talent tells us a lot about where Arkansas sees itself in the SEC hierarchy-and where it wants to go. In a conference where margins are razor-thin and coaching matters more than ever, the Razorbacks are betting big on experience, continuity, and a staff that can develop talent at every level.
From top-dollar coordinators to strategically chosen position coaches, Arkansas is building a staff designed to compete-not just survive-in the toughest league in college football. The names are strong, the contracts are long, and the message is clear: the Razorbacks are going all in.