FAYETTEVILLE — Former Arkansas running backs coach Joel Thomas has accepted a job with the New Orleans Saints, Razorbacks coach Bret Bielema confirmed Monday on his Twitter account.
Sports Illustrated, citing unnamed sources, reported Thomas would be hired by the Saints on Saturday. The franchise has yet to officially announce the hire.
Thomas spent two seasons as Arkansas' running backs coach. He signed a contract extension last month through the 2015 season that included a $35,000 annual pay raise.
He is the third assistant coach to leave this off-season. With his departure, only three assistant coaches remain from Bielema's first staff at Arkansas in 2013.
Per terms of his contract, Thomas will owe the university $50,000 to terminate his employment. Bielema said he has lost his last three running backs coaches to the NFL.