Official: Arkansas hires UW running backs coach Joel Thomas

Arkansas has hired Washington running backs coach Joel Thomas to the same position.

"Joel Thomas has a proven record of developing running backs," new Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said in a statement. "He excelled at the position as a player and has demonstrated a remarkable ability to connect with his student-athletes and pass his knowledge on to them. He also brings a strong background of recruiting in Texas and Dallas specifically, which is a valuable area for us to have a presence. I am extremely confident in Joel's ability based on his time spent working under Jim Chaney, and I believe Joel's knowledge and familiarity with Coach Chaney will be a benefit to our offense."

Thomas was part of Steve Sarkisian's original staff when he arrived in 2009. He's coached a 1,000-yard rusher each season he's been at Washington -- Chris Polk the first three and Bishop Sankey this year.

Thomas was under contract with Washington through the 2013 season. He was paid $190,000 and was in line to make $205,000 next season.

Arkansas hired Bielema away from Wisconsin. He hired Tennessee offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, who worked with Thomas at Purdue when Thomas was a graduate assistant in 2000-2001.

Thomas is a Port Angeles, Wash., native.

Coachingsearch.com was first to report the news.

This post was update at 9:02 a.m.

This story was originally published December 23, 2012 at 1:14 PM with the headline "Official: Arkansas hires UW running backs coach Joel Thomas."