NFL raids Hogs again

Team loses RB coach for 2nd year in a row

Arkansas running backs coach Jemal Singleton works with his team during practice Tuesday, March 31, 2015, in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas running backs coach Jemal Singleton has agreed to take the same position with the Indianapolis Colts after spending one season with the Razorbacks.

Singleton became the second running backs coach in as many years to depart Coach Bret Bielema's staff for the NFL, following Joel Thomas' departure to the New Orleans Saints last winter.

Singleton, who was making $310,000, will owe the University of Arkansas $100,000 to terminate his contract. Singleton's buyout was scheduled to drop to $50,000 on Feb. 16.

He was notably absent from a signing day event at Walton Arena on Wednesday, and he did not attend another event to discuss the signing class Thursday in Little Rock, fueling speculation he was being courted by another program.

Arkansas tailback Alex Collins, who had issues with fumbling during his first two seasons, benefited from Singleton's ball-security methods, losing only two fumbles in 2015 while rushing for 1,577 yards. The year before, Singleton's running backs at Oklahoma State did not have a turnover in 509 touches and fumbled only once.

Singleton, 40, is a graduate of the Air Force Academy, where he returned to work as running backs coach for five seasons from 2006-2010, prior to joining the Oklahoma State program.

Singleton is the second offensive assistant coach to depart Arkansas' staff this year. Offensive line coach Sam Pittman, who also served as assistant head coach, took the offensive line post for new Georgia Coach Kirby Smart in December. He was replaced by Kurt Anderson, who had been on Rex Ryan's staff with the Buffalo Bills.

At Indianapolis, Singleton will replace Charlie Williams, who was fired last month by Coach Chuck Pagano after spending one season in the position.

Sports on 02/06/2016