FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said after the regular-season finale that he didn't anticipate making any changes on his coaching staff.
However, earlier this week he said that he's fielded inquiries about some of his staff, though he didn't name any names.
"There is all the time," he said. "Just inquiries. Some might be real. Some might be, 'Hey, I'm interested in talking to this guy.' I have so many coaches out there that have worked here or in other places that network and always have those effects."
Bielema has had turnover on his staff each season at Arkansas, including the departure of his first receivers coach, George McDonald, to a coordinator's post at Syracuse shortly after his arrival.
Defensive coordinator Chris Ash and defensive line coach Charlie Partridge left Arkansas after one season. Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, running backs coach Joel Thomas and linebackers coach Randy Shannon left after the 2014 season. Offensive line coach Sam Pittman, running backs coach Jemal Singleton and defensive backs coach Clay Jennings left after last year.
Receivers coach Michael Smith, tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. and strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert are the only assistants to work all four seasons with Bielema at Arkansas.
Bielema said he always tries to shoot straight with his assistant coaches who get nibbles from other schools.
"I always tell our guys the world of college football evolves every day and ... if there's something that intrigues you, something that interests you ... that you feel is the right move for you and your family and you inform me about it, I can make a phone call if you feel it's important," he said. "If I don't think it's a good idea, I'll tell you.
"But I'm probably not the norm in that regard. I've worked for guys in the past that when people call and inquire about myself or one of our coaches, you bury it or not answer it or act like the phone call isn't coming in. I would much rather be open and honest with my coaches than the other."
Bowl bonuses
Arkansas' appearance in the Belk Bowl will net Bret Bielema and his staff nearly $400,000 in bonuses.
The combined bonuses for Bielema, who will receive an extra $50,000, his nine-man staff and strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert comes to an estimated $390,416, according to WholeHogSports.com.
The Razorbacks' full-time assistant coaches will receive a bonus of one month's base salary, while Herbert will receive a bonus worth 75 percent of his base monthly salary.
Bielema, Herbert and the assistant coaches have a combined annual salary of $8.37 million.
According to terms of their contract, both of Arkansas' coordinators will receive bonuses greater than Bielema, whose bowl extra is a set figure. Defensive coordinator Robb Smith will receive just less than $66,700 and offensive coordinator Dan Enos will receive a bonus of more than $58,300 before taxes, based on one-twelfth of their annual salary.
Arkansas' nine full-time assistants also received an extra month's salary for appearing in the Liberty Bowl last season and the Texas Bowl in 2014, based off their contracts.
More 3-4
Defensive coordinator Robb Smith is enthusiastic about the potential for running more base 3-4 defense, which could put faster linebackers on the edges and give the Razorbacks more flexibility against dual-threat quarterbacks.
"You get an extra guy on his feet," Smith said. "It does some things in terms of how offenses identify you ... where the fourth rusher comes when you rush four and cover with seven."
Coach Bret Bielema and Smith said Arkansas, which has run mostly four-man fronts since Bielema's arrival in 2013, was looking at using more three-man fronts next season.
"I think it gives you flexibility and gives you a different athlete on the field," he said. "Those are things that we're excited about to explore here in the offseason."
Practice schedule
The Razorbacks, who will wrap up final exams along with the rest of the campus today, will undergo a late afternoon workout prior to the team banquet tonight.
Bret Bielema said Saturday's practice would exclude seniors, just as one of the bowl-season practices did a couple of weeks ago.
With school out next week, the Razorbacks will get extensive work, with the early part of practices focused on Virginia Tech preparation and the last few periods devoted to developmental work.
Arkansas plans to travel to Charlotte, N.C., on Dec. 24, five days before the Belk Bowl.
"Christmas Day, I don't want to be the Grinch, but that will probably be our most intense day," he said. "Come back to the hotel, have a little holiday dinner and then have a little entertainment for them that night, because there's not a lot going on Christmas Day."
Scoring discrepancy
Virginia Tech (9-4) has outscored its opponents by a combined 455-295. Arkansas, despite a 7-5 record, was outscored 370-369 by its opposition.
Sports on 12/16/2016