FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas has hired Jemal Singleton as its running backs coach and special teams coordinator.
Singleton has spent the last four seasons as running backs coach at Oklahoma State. He replaces Joel Thomas, who accepted a job earlier this month with the New Orleans Saints of the NFL.
“We are very intrigued with Jemal’s history as a person, player and coach, and specifically his experience with the running back position,” Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema said. “He will be a great asset that brings life experience to Arkansas. Jemal fits into our offensive and special teams philosophy."
Singleton spent 10 seasons as an assistant coach at Air Force prior to his time at Oklahoma State. From 2001 to 2003 he was stationed as a public affairs officer at Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville.
Singleton will receive $310,000 annually at Arkansas, according to his letter of agreement. Singleton is under contract through June 30, 2016, consistent with one-year contracts for most university employees.
If Singleton were to accept a non-head coach or coordinator position before Feb. 15, 2016, he would owe the university $100,000. His contract includes a no-compete clause with other SEC programs.
According to reports, Singleton made $280,000 annually at Oklahoma State - the same amount Thomas was in line to make this year before leaving the Razorbacks.
Singleton is the third new assistant coach hired since Arkansas ended the regular season in December. Former Houston linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves was hired to the same position with the Razorbacks and former Central Michigan head coach Dan Enos was hired as offensive coordinator.
The status for receivers coach Michael Smith is still unclear. Smith said earlier this month he had signed a contract extension for next season, but the contract has yet to be released under open records laws.