Final Two Coaching Additions Go Back to the Future at Arkansas
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Updated: January 20, 2013
The final two spots on the Arkansas coaching staff represent a blast from the past, for coach Bielema its the chance to reunite with a former colleague from Kansas State, and for Arkansas fans it's a welcome return of a former starting quarterback.
"Coach and I have talked about it and I think it is a very vital thing that (former player know) someone they know they can relate to and trust that is on the inside that gives them a certain sense of belonging to the program," newly named tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. said.
After spending the last eight years as offensive coordinator at Bentonville High School where he won a pair of state titles as a member of his father's staff, Lunney joins the college ranks to take on a new challenge at his alma-mater.
"Coach Bielema's track record with tight ends kinda speaks for itself, we're going to use them and not only are we going to use them but we're going to coach them the best we can and they're going to be a vital part of our success offensively."
With Lunney on board only one spot on staff remained open, George McDonald resigned from his post as receivers coach, opening the door for former Kansas State assistant Michael Smith.
"It was real tough," Smith said about leaving Kansas State. "I played here and I've coached here for over 20 years and built some tremendous relationships."
Smith leaves his former coach and recent boss Bill Snyder for the chance to build his own legacy with former co-worker Bret Bielema at Arkansas.
"I don't ever want me or my players to ever be in a situation where they stay stagnant so it was an opportunity for me to further my career and I think the University of Arkansas is a school that will definitely present that opportunity to me."
"Coach and I have talked about it and I think it is a very vital thing that (former player know) someone they know they can relate to and trust that is on the inside that gives them a certain sense of belonging to the program," newly named tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. said.
After spending the last eight years as offensive coordinator at Bentonville High School where he won a pair of state titles as a member of his father's staff, Lunney joins the college ranks to take on a new challenge at his alma-mater.
"Coach Bielema's track record with tight ends kinda speaks for itself, we're going to use them and not only are we going to use them but we're going to coach them the best we can and they're going to be a vital part of our success offensively."
With Lunney on board only one spot on staff remained open, George McDonald resigned from his post as receivers coach, opening the door for former Kansas State assistant Michael Smith.
"It was real tough," Smith said about leaving Kansas State. "I played here and I've coached here for over 20 years and built some tremendous relationships."
Smith leaves his former coach and recent boss Bill Snyder for the chance to build his own legacy with former co-worker Bret Bielema at Arkansas.
"I don't ever want me or my players to ever be in a situation where they stay stagnant so it was an opportunity for me to further my career and I think the University of Arkansas is a school that will definitely present that opportunity to me."
