Arkansas set to hire veteran coach Chad Lunsford for special teams

Multiple media reports are saying Arkansas is expected to hire Chad Lunsford as its new special teams coordinator, giving Ryan Silverfield another experienced voice as he shapes the Razorbacks’ coaching staff.

The move adds nearly three decades of coaching work to a team trying to reset its identity across all three phases.

Lunsford spent the 2025 season at Auburn as special teams coordinator and previously served as head coach at Georgia Southern. He was also interim head coach at Florida Atlantic in 2024.

His resume has moved across many roles, but his foundation has always been built around strong special teams play and steady program organization.

The Hogs have been searching for a clean direction on special teams after recent inconsistency. The decision not to retain Eric Mateos clears the way for Lunsford to take full command.

Early signs point to a complete shift in how Arkansas plans to evaluate, teach and shape its specialists.

Another potential staff note includes continued buzz around Jeff Myers, who could still emerge in another capacity.

Nothing is final yet, but the idea alone reflects how many pieces Silverfield is weighing as he builds structure around his coordinators.

Lunsford arrives with a reputation for teaching fundamentals and building confidence, especially in kicking and return units.

Those traits stand out now because the Razorbacks need reliability in spots that often decide games before anyone notices the turning point.

The move also gives Silverfield all three coordinator roles officially filled, completing a weeks-long rebuild that began the moment he arrived in Fayetteville.

With offense, defense and special teams now staffed, the focus shifts to how quickly the roster adjusts.

Lunsford’s long coaching path gives Arkansas stability

Lunsford’s career began in Georgia, where he spent time coaching at high schools and junior colleges before moving into college football.

Stops at Georgia Military College and Appalachian State helped him build a reputation for technical teaching and player development long before he became widely known.

His longest stretch came at Georgia Southern, where he worked in multiple roles: tight ends coach, wide receivers coach, recruiting coordinator, assistant head coach and eventually head coach.

That versatility is exactly what Silverfield values. Arkansas needs someone who understands how all parts of a team connect and how special teams fits within a larger plan.

As head coach, Lunsford led Georgia Southern to three bowl appearances and won two of them. One of his most productive special teams units blocked seven kicks during the 2016 season.

That kind of aggressive approach could help the Hogs reset expectations, especially in punt pressure and field-goal defense.

More recently at Florida Atlantic, he rebuilt the punting and return units. A freshman Australian punter earned Freshman All-American honors under his direction.

Improved kickoff return defense and net punting were also signs that his schemes translate across different rosters and leagues.

Arkansas is not lacking athletes, but it has lacked structure in the hidden-yardage game.

Lunsford’s track record suggests he focuses on efficiency over flash, which may be exactly what Razorbacks fans have been waiting for.

Silverfield’s staff choices have leaned heavily toward experience, and Lunsford fits that mold.

The Hogs get someone who has been through difficult seasons, quick rebuilds and high-pressure situations. That matters when trying to stabilize a team still finding its footing.

What Lunsford’s hire signals for Razorbacks

Arkansas can now move forward with a clear chain of command. With coordinators in place, the staff can evaluate roster fits, spring structure and recruiting needs.

Special teams often get pushed to the back during transitions, but this hire shows Silverfield wants a strong foundation across every unit.

The Razorbacks have plenty of areas to clean up — kickoff coverage breakdowns, inconsistent punting and a return game that rarely flipped field position.

Lunsford has seen each of those issues before, and his past teams improved quickly by focusing on technique and responsibility.

For the players, this is a chance to reset under a coach known for energy and detail. Lunsford has handled everything from daily drills to entire program operations.

That flexibility should help the Hogs adjust without feeling overwhelmed by new terminology or schemes.

The coaching change marks the end of the transition phase following Silverfield’s arrival.

Everything now moves to implementation. It also signals the start of roster assessment, where specialists and returners must show they fit the new expectations.

Even though special teams rarely draw headline attention, Arkansas fans understand how much those moments matter. A shanked punt or missed assignment can undo an entire Saturday.

Lunsford’s hire reflects a larger message: the Razorbacks want to be stronger in every small detail that shapes close games.

This is also a move anchored firmly in SEC experience.

Lunsford’s year at Auburn gives him a direct look at how special teams operate in this league.

For a Razorbacks squad needing competitive balance, that exposure brings value on day one.

Key takeaways

• Arkansas is expected to hire Chad Lunsford, giving the team a veteran special teams coordinator with experience as a head coach and SEC assistant.

• The Razorbacks now have all three coordinator roles filled, finalizing Ryan Silverfield’s top-level staff plan.

• Lunsford’s track record in special teams development stands out, including blocked kicks, improved return units and All-American specialists.