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Jemal Singleton Named Arkansas RB Coach

Singleton joins the Arkansas staff after more than 10 years of FBS experience as both a player and coach at the running back position. He spent the past four se...
jemal saingleton

Arkansas has named Jemal Singleton as  new running backs coach and special teams coordinator, head coach Bret Bielema announced on Wednesday.

Singleton joins the Arkansas staff after more than 10 years of FBS experience as both a player and coach at the running back position. He spent the past four seasons as the running backs coach at Oklahoma State following a long tenure at Air Force.

“We are very intrigued with Jemal’s history as a person, player and coach, and specifically his experience with the running back position,” Bielema said. “He will be a great asset that brings life experience to Arkansas. Jemal fits into our offensive and special teams philosophy. We are excited for him to join our program and help us win an SEC championship.”

“After meeting with Coach Bielema, Mr. Long and the rest of the Razorback football staff, I knew that this was something I wanted to be a part of,” Singleton said.  “It was just the perfect fit, both on and off the field. The opportunity to coordinate special teams and work with two returning 1,000 yard rushers was icing on the cake.  My family and I cannot wait to join this great institution and community. I look forward to helping the University of Arkansas win an SEC championship.”

Singleton’s contract runs through June 30th, 2016 and he will make $310,000.

One of Singleton’s points of emphasis is ball security and the Cowboys did not disappoint in that facet in 2014. Oklahoma State’s running backs did not commit a single turnover during the season, combining for 509 touches with only one fumble, a ball that was recovered by the Cowboys.

In 2013, Oklahoma State rushed for 35 touchdowns in the regular season, ranking second in the Big 12 and 15th nationally. The mark was also the sixth-best in a single season in school history. Desmond Roland rushed for 13 touchdowns, leading all Big 12 running backs and ranking 31st nationally despite not starting until the seventh game of the season.

Singleton served as the position coach for Joseph Randle, one of the most heralded running backs in Oklahoma State history. In 2012, Randle was a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 selection after leading the Big 12 with 1,417 rushing yards. He went on to be selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

In his first season at Oklahoma State, Singleton helped the Cowboys to one of the best seasons in program history, winning the Big 12, finishing 12-1 and ranked No. 3 in the final Associated Press poll. Randle rushed for 24 touchdowns, the fourth-most in FBS that season and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors by the AP. The Cowboys’ running backs totaled 10 games of 100 yards or more.

 

 

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