FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema added another key ingredient to his offensive staff Wednesday, announcing the hiring of George McDonald to coach receivers for the Razorbacks.
McDonald, 32, served as receivers coach at the University of Miami the past two seasons and was the Hurricane’s passing game coordinator in 2012.
The Buena Park, Calif .,native has vast college experience in the Pacific-12, Atlantic Coast and Big Ten conferences, and spent two years as receivers coach for the Cleveland Browns.
McDonald was designated one of the nation’s top 25 recruiters by Rivals.com this year, playing a key role in a Miami class that was ranked No. 8 in the country by ESPN.com and No. 9by Rivals and Scout.com.
“George McDonald has a reputation as a top recruiter as well as a great teacher and technician,” Bielema said through a university news release. “In his heart he has always wanted to be a college coach because he believes in recruiting young men and being a part of helping them develop for four years.”
Miami announced a self-imposed bowl ban in November, meaning McDonald should be clear to start work at Arkansas quickly, like offensive coordinator Jim Chaney and offensive line coach Sam Pittman.
McDonald has worked with 10 receivers who have gone on to have NFL careers. He coached Western Michigan’s Greg Jennings, who was named the Mid-American Conference offensive player of the year in 2005, and the University of Minnesota’s Eric Decker, who twice broke the Golden Gophers’ single-season receptions record.
In his two seasons with the Browns, McDonald worked with Mohamed Massaquoi, Josh Cribbs and Braylon Edwards.
Miami ranked No. 28 in the NCAA with an average of 295.4 passing yards per game this season.
Bielema has hired three coaches for the Arkansas offense: Chaney, Pittman and McDonald. Bielema has not stipulated which side of the ball will have five of his nine assistant coaches, but with his strong defensive background Bielema might allot five on offense.
The Razorbacks are still in need of a running backs coach and a linebackers coach, and will have two more spots to fill beyond those positions.
Sports, Pages 17 on 12/20/2012