FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas is targeting veteran defensive strategist Ron Roberts to become the team’s defensive coordinator under new coach Ryan Silverfield, according to Trey Biddy in a HawgSports report.

Roberts, who previously coordinated defenses at Baylor, Auburn and Florida, has emerged as the frontrunner in the Hogs’ search for a seasoned, demanding defensive leader.

Silverfield’s early priority has been building a staff anchored by experience, and Roberts fits that profile.

The 28-year coaching veteran has been a head coach or defensive coordinator for most of his career and has led defenses across multiple conferences.

His reputation as a detailed teacher with a straightforward style appeals to a program wanting structure and consistency.

The Razorbacks’ recent defensive struggles add urgency to the search. Roberts’ background in complex pressures, disguised fronts and disciplined assignments makes him an appealing fit for a roster needing direction.

As Arkansas continues reshaping its identity under Silverfield, the defensive coordinator hire may be one of its most important steps.

Roberts has deep ties across the South and southwest, coaching at the FCS and FBS levels.

His résumé includes success at Delta State, Southeastern Louisiana, Baylor and Auburn. His teams have often played with edge, speed and clear purpose — traits the Razorbacks hope to restore on defense.

The report notes that Roberts’ candidacy is strong enough that discussions accelerated quickly once Silverfield began forming his staff.

His experience and familiarity with rebuilding phases make him one of the most stable options available.

Résumé built on nearly three decades of coaching

Roberts has coached 28 total years in college football, including 11 seasons as a head coach and 17 as a defensive coordinator.

Those stops range from small-school programs to major Power Five jobs, making him one of the more seasoned candidates on the market.

He produced an 89–45 record as a head coach and built multiple conference-contending defenses.

His most notable stretch came at Baylor, where he served as defensive coordinator while the Bears won the 2021 Big 12 championship.

That season, his defense allowed only 18.3 points per game, ranking among the nation’s top units.

In 2022, Baylor slipped to 26.6 points allowed per game, landing near the middle of the Big 12. A philosophical clash with head coach Dave Aranda resulted in Roberts’ dismissal at the end of the regular season.

Roberts later joined Auburn, where his 2023 defense finished seventh in the SEC in scoring defense (22.6 points per game) and eighth in total defense (357.2 yards allowed).

The Tigers were competitive and showed improvement in several areas despite inconsistent offensive support.

Before his time at Baylor and Auburn, Roberts worked at Louisiana and Southeastern Louisiana, where he established his reputation for defensive creativity.

His track record of elevating units across varying talent levels continues to fuel interest from programs needing a reset.

Arkansas circled Roberts once before

Roberts nearly became the Razorbacks’ defensive coordinator three years ago before he eventually accepted the Auburn job.

According to the report, he was on campus in Fayetteville during that search before choosing the opportunity with the Tigers.

Arkansas instead hired Travis Williams, who went on to run the defense before the coaching change that brought Silverfield to town this winter.

Roberts’ previous connection to the Razorbacks made this reunion possible once the coordinator position reopened.

With familiarity already established, Roberts and Arkansas reopened discussions quickly.

His previous near-hire gives the program a sense of continuity despite a new head coach.

What he brings to Hogs

Roberts is widely regarded as a pioneer of simulated pressures — blitz-like looks designed to confuse offenses while still dropping enough defenders into coverage.

His approach aims to create disruption without sacrificing structure, something Arkansas has lacked in recent seasons.

He is also known as a demanding coach who stresses communication and discipline.

While Aranda preferred a more analytical style, Roberts is viewed as more traditional in his instruction and expectations. His defenses focus on fundamentals before layering in more advanced disguises.

For the Hogs, that teaching style could be timely. The roster includes young players who have flashed talent but lacked consistency.

Roberts’ experience with development could help stabilize the unit quickly.

Silverfield has emphasized building from the trenches outward.

Hiring Roberts — a coach with proven results at multiple levels — aligns with that philosophy.

What this hire could signal for Razorbacks

Arkansas’ pursuit of Roberts suggests a strategic choice: experience over experimentation.

The Razorbacks need defensive reliability in the SEC, and Roberts has weathered nearly every kind of challenge over his career.

His résumé shows high peaks, like the 2021 Baylor title run, and difficult stretches, including his final season there.

But he has consistently fielded disciplined, disruptive units that reflect a clear coaching identity.

Should he accept the job, Roberts would inherit a defense needing organization, leadership and a clearly defined identity.

His arrival would signal that the Razorbacks are turning toward a more detail-driven approach to defensive football.

Whether that path leads to success under Silverfield will depend on roster retention, development and how quickly players adapt to Roberts’ system.

Ron Roberts coaching profile

Key takeaways

• Roberts brings 28 years of college coaching experience, including 17 as a defensive coordinator.

• He is regarded as a leader in simulated pressures and disguised looks, focusing on discipline and structure.

• Arkansas previously considered Roberts for the same position before he chose Auburn, making this search a potential second chance at a fit.