No word on official assistants

FAYETTEVILLE — Chad Morris will be able to hire nine full-time assistant coaches between now and Jan. 9, when on that day all Football Bowl Subdivision programs can hire a 10th assistant coach.

Assistants who have signed short-term agreements with the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville to carry through the end of the year were former SMU assistants offensive coordinator Joe Craddock, offensive line coach Dustin Fry, receivers coach Justin Stepp and running backs coach

Jeff Traylor. Recruiting coordinator Mark Smith and director of football operations Randy Ross also came over from SMU.

Former Arkansas quarterback Barry Lunney Jr., who had been the tight ends coach all five seasons under Bret Bielema, was asked to recruit for the Hogs after Morris’ arrival. Former long-time assistant coach Bobby Allen, who had been director of high school and NFL relations under Bielema, also was involved in recruiting.

Morris has not announced any specific positions for his first Arkansas staff.

Former Arkansas defensive line coach John Scott Jr., who had been on Bielema’s staff for one season, is thought to be in the mix of being retained by Morris. Scott was one of eight on-field assistant coaches whose contracts were terminated shortly after Morris was hired earlier this month, but that would not preclude him from being rehired.

SMU strength and conditioning coach Trumain Carroll, an Oklahoma State graduate, is a candidate to take over the same position with the Hogs.

Also, Morris is known to have discussed the vacant defensive coordinator’s post with Texas A&M’s John Chavis as well as other candidates.