FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas defensive line coach Charlie Partridge agreed Monday to become the head coach at Florida Atlantic.
Partridge will be formally announced as the Owls' head coach at a news conference Tuesday morning in Boca Raton, Fla. ESPN reports Partridge will have a 5-year contract worth $2.76 million.
Partridge, a Plantation, Fla. native, interviewed for the job Friday, according to reports. Ohio State running backs coach Stan Drayton also interviewed for the position, according to the Sun-Sentinel newspaper.
Partridge just completed his first season with the Razorbacks. He was one of Arkansas' lead recruiters in the South Florida area, including the recruitment of freshman all-SEC selections running back Alex Collins and offensive lineman Denver Kirkland.
Partridge coached with Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema for five seasons at Wisconsin before leaving for Arkansas in January. His contract with the Razorbacks is worth $350,000 annually and includes a buyout of $50,000 if he leaves prior to June 30, 2014.
Partridge is the fourth Arkansas assistant coach to leave for a head coaching job at a football bowl subdivision program since 2011. Former Razorbacks assistants Garrick McGee (UAB), Paul Petrino (Idaho) and Paul Haynes (Kent State) were hired in the past two off-seasons.
John L. Smith, who spent three seasons as an assistant coach, was hired by Weber State following the 2011 season before returning to coach Arkansas last year.
Florida Atlantic fired former head coach Carl Pelini midseason after allegations of drug use arose surrounding Pelini and some of his assistants. FAU finished the 2013 season with a 6-6 record but was not selected for a bowl.
Adam Ford contributed to this report