Arkansas promotes ex-Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads to defensive coordinator

Arkansas has a new defensive coordinator.

A few days after Robb Smith left after three seasons for the same position at Minnesota, Razorbacks coach Bret Bielema announced Monday night that Paul Rhoads has been promoted to defensive coordinator.

Rhoads served as the team’s defensive backs coach in 2016 after being the head coach at Iowa State from 2009 to 2015. Rhoads led the Cyclones to three bowl games during his tenure, but the team was a combined 8-28 over his final three seasons. Before his time at ISU, Rhoads was the defensive coordinator at Pittsburgh for eight seasons and Auburn for one season.

Rhoads inherits an Arkansas defense that was in the middle of the pack in the SEC. Overall, the unit was 76th nationally in total defense and allowed 39 rushing touchdowns, the most in the country.

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According to multiple reports, the team will likely shift to a 3-4 defensive scheme with Rhoads running the show. Six defensive starters are expected to return in 2017 for the Razorbacks, who finished the 2016 season with a 7-6 record.

For more Arkansas news, HawgSports.com.

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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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