Arkansas hires former Ohio State assistant Paul Haynes as defensive coordinator


Paul Haynes

It has been three days since Willy Robinson resigned as defensive coordinator for the Hog football team, and after plenty of speculation on who his replacement would be, it looks like Bobby Petrino has found his man.

University of Arkansas officials announced Friday evening that Petrino has hired former Ohio State co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Paul Haynes as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Razorbacks.

Haynes spent seven seasons at Ohio State as a defensive backs coach, before working as co-defensive coordinator in 2011. During that time, the Buckeyes compiled a 66-11 record, won six Big Ten titles and played in six straight BCS games while consistently putting one of the best defenses in the Big Ten on the field.

Haynes has coached at Michigan State, Louisville, Kent State, Northern Iowa, Ferris State and Bowling Green in addition to one year as defensive quality control with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he worked with then offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. Haynes also worked with former Razorback coaches John L. Smith (Louisville and Michigan State) and Garrick McGee (Northern Iowa).

“Through his experiences, Paul Haynes is extremely familiar with the way we operate,” said Coach Petrino. “He has a professional approach and is an exceptional coach and recruiter. This is a competitive conference and we are determined to go head-to-head with the very best. Having Paul join our program will help us as we continue on the path toward our goal of consistently winning championships. He has been a part of a team with a culture of doing just that. Paul has incredibly high standards and the defenses he has built have been challenging to prepare for and have always played with toughness, intensity and desire.”

Paul Haynes Coaching History
Dec. 2011 – Arkansas (defensive coordinator)
2011 – Ohio State (co-defensive coordinator/safeties)
2005-10 – Ohio State (defensive backs)
2003-04 -Michigan State (defensive backs)
2002 – Louisville (defensive backs)
2001 -Jacksonville Jaguars (quality control)
1999-2000 – Kent State (assistant head coach/secondary)
1997-98 – Northern Iowa (running backs/secondary)
1995-96 – Ferris State (defensive backs)
1994 – Bowling Green State (graduate assistant)
1993 – St. Francis DeSales (Columbus, Ohio) High School (assistant coach)

Home Town: Columbus, Ohio
Family: Wife, Denita; Daughters, Jordyn and Kennedy Rose; Son, Tarron
Bowl Games: Sugar Bowl, 2011; Rose Bowl, 2010; Fiesta Bowl, 2009; BCS National Championship, 2008; BCS National Championship 2007; Fiesta Bowl, 2006; Alamo