REPORT: Razorbacks Hire Familiar Name as O-line Coach

Eric Mateos returns to Fayetteville where he was graduate assistant under Bret Bielema.

Author:
Jacob Davis
Publish date:
Dec 3, 2023 6:10 PM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — There was no long delay for Sam Pittman to find a replacement for Cody Kennedy. Arkansas is set to hire Eric Mateos as their new offensive line coach, according to Adam Rittenberg on X.

Mateos has served under Baylor coach Dave Aranda since 2021 and was named to the Dave Campbell's prestigious list of top 40 Coaches under age 40 list. During his first season in charge in Waco, he led his group also allowed to 1.29 per game, helping the unit finish as a Joe Moore Award Semifinalist as one of the best offensive lines in the country.

The Overland Park, Kansas native spent some time in Provo, Utah as line coach where he also helped anchor the offense to a semifinal finish in the Joe Moore Award in 2020. The Cougars posted an 11-1 record in 2020, including an impressive 49-23 victory over UCF in the Boca Raton Bowl. The Cougars reached as high as No. 8 in the AP poll during the season. BYU tied for the national lead in yards per play at 7.84, and led all of FBS in plays of 30 or more yards with 45. Overall, the program scored 40 or more points nine times in 12 games.

Mateos also spent time at Texas State in 2017 and 2018, LSU as tight ends coach in 2016 and served under Sam Pittman as offensive line graduate assistant from 2013-2015.

From 2014-2015, the Razorbacks had the biggest offensive line in all of football. The big hog mollies up front even graced the Arkansas SEC Media Day Guide. They averaged just under 328 pounds and weighed 1,638 pounds combined. With Mateos in the room, his line helped pave way for Alex Collins to 1,577 yards rushing (second most in school history) and 20 touchdowns. During the 2014 season, the Hogs boasted two 1,000-yard rushers, the only FBS program to do so.

Matoes' work will be cut out for him as he will be tasked with repairing an offensive line that was not only the worst in the SEC but also ranked No. 129 in sacks given up with 47. Arkansas also scored one touchdown in SEC play this season, finished No.11 in conference with 111 yards per game rushing.