Hargreaves hired to Missouri staff

Arkansas inside linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves watches warmups prior to a game against South Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Columbia, S.C.

— Arkansas will be seeing at least one of its former assistant coaches on the opposing sideline next season.

Vernon Hargreaves was hired Thursday as inside linebackers coach at Missouri. He had spent the past three seasons on Bret Bielema's staff at Arkansas, coaching all linebackers in 2015-16 and inside linebackers after the Razorbacks' move to a 3-4 scheme this year.

Hargreaves was one of eight coaches fired from Arkansas following Chad Morris' hiring as head coach last week. Because he was fired for convenience, Hargreaves' no-compete clause was waived, which allowed him to take another job within the Southeastern Conference.

“I’ve known Vernon for a number of years and have always respected the way his position plays the game,” Missouri coach Barry Odom said in a statement announcing the hire. “He will be a great teacher and mentor for our student-athletes. His experience will be so valuable for our program; I’m excited about Vernon and his family joining our Mizzou family.”

Prior to coming to Arkansas, Hargreaves worked alongside Brian Odom, the younger brother of the Missouri's head coach who now coaches the Tigers' outside linebackers.

“That’s where our relationship started,” Hargreaves in a statement. “Having the opportunity to work with him and the defenses that he’s been associated with is very exciting..."

Hargreaves is the second former Arkansas coach to find employment this week. Former Razorbacks defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads was named to UCLA's staff on Wednesday and will coach the Bruins' secondary.

Sports Illustrated reported Wednesday that former Arkansas running backs coach Reggie Mitchell is expected to join the staff at Texas-El Paso.