Graphic: ArkansasRazorbacks.com
Arkansas has found their new athletics director.
UA officials on Monday announced they have hired Virginia native and former Houston AD Hunter Yurachek to replace Jeff Long as leader of their athletics program. Long was fired after 10 years at the helm of Arkansas on Nov. 15.
Chancellor Joseph Steimentz made the announcement in a news release issued Monday.
“I am thrilled to welcome Hunter to the Razorback family,” said Steinmetz. “He possesses the experience, the management skills and the passion to have an immediate impact on our university. I know that as Razorbacks around our state and country get to know him, they will know that we are in good hands. We welcome Hunter, Jennifer and their children to Arkansas.”
According to the release, 11 of 17 varsity programs at Houston made NCAA postseason play under Yurchek’s leadership in 2016-17. Before his tenure at Houston, he served as the AD at Coastal Carolina. He has also worked at the University of Akron, The University of Virginia, Western Carolina University, Vanderbilt, and Wake Forest University.
“The opportunity to serve the Razorback program is both humbling and exciting,” Yurachek said. “There is so much already in place, and we will quickly build on that foundation to win championships. We will do so with integrity and while continuing to be a great source of pride for the entire state of Arkansas.”
Yurachek earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Guilford College in 1990 and a master’s degree in sports administration from the University of Richmond in 1994. He was a four-year letter winner in basketball at Guilford. Yurachek and his wife, Jennifer, have three sons, Ryan, Jake and Brooks.
His first order of business, it appears, will be to hire a football coach to replace Bret Bielema, who was also fired by Arkansas last month after five years leading the football program.
Yurachek has agreed to a five-year contract worth $850,000 a year.
