Arkansas expected to hire UCF's Travis Williams as defensive coordinator

Arkansas is expected to hire UCF DC Travis Williams as its next defensive coordinator, sources tell On3.

Williams has been UCF’s DC the last two years after spending last seven seasons at his alma mater, Auburn, including the last two as the Tigers’ co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Williams will be the replacement for Barry Odom, who recently landed the UNLV head coaching job.

Aided by Williams, UCF has gone 18-8 overall the last two seasons, including 9-4 overall and 6-2 in AAC play this year.

Under Williams, the Knights improved from eighth in the AAC in scoring defense in 2020 to third each of the last two seasons. It led to him being selected as a nominee for the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant coach, each of the last two years.

As a player at Auburn, Williams was a two-time All-SEC linebacker, earning all-conference recognition in both 2004 and 2005.