Arkansas hires Marcus Woodson as co-defensive coordinator
The Arkansas Razorbacks have officially hired Florida State defensive backs coach Marcus Woodson as their new co-defensive coordinator alongside defensive coordinator Travis Williams, who was hired on Dec. 19.
Woodson spent the past three seasons as the defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator with the Seminoles. Prior to his time with Florida State, Woodson spent two years as the defensive backs coach at Auburn, where he worked with new Williams.
With the reported departure of linebackers coach Michael Scherer, who will reportedly be the new defensive coordinator at UNLV under former Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom, Woodson fills an open spot on the staff.
Williams will likely coach linebackers and Woodson will likely coach defensive backs at some level. Odom coached safeties prior to his departure, and Arkansas still has cornerbacks coach Dominique Bowman on staff.
Florida State had the No. 4 passing defense in the nation this season, allowing just 165.4 passing yards per game. The Seminoles surrendered just 6.2 yards per attempt and 10.9 yards per completion.
Woodson's 2021 group had eight different defenders grab at least one interception and forced 20 total takeaways. FSU made at least one interception in eight straight games to end the season, which was the longest active streak in the country entering the 2022 season and was tied for the longest streak in the nation at any point during the 2021 season.
Six of Woodson’s defensive backs have been selected in the last three NFL Drafts, including 2020 first-round selection Noah Igbinoghene of Auburn.
This season, the Razorbacks had the nation's worst pass defense, ranking 131st out of 131 FBS team for passing yards allowed per game (294.7).
Prior to his time at Auburn and Florida State, Woodson was the defensive backs coach at Memphis, Fresno State, Charleston Southern and Millsaps College. Below is his full coaching career:
2020-2022 - Florida State, Defensive Backs/Defensive Passing Game Coordinator
2019 - Auburn, Defensive Backs/Recruiting Coordinator
2018 - Auburn, Defensive Backs
2016-17 - Memphis, Defensive Backs
2014-15 - Fresno State, Defensive Backs
2012-13 - Charleston Southern, Defensive Backs/Defensive Passing Game Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator
2009-11 - Charleston Southern, Defensive Backs/Recruiting Coordinator
2005-08 - Millsaps College, Defensive Backs