FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) – After nearly three weeks without a leader, the Arkansas athletics department has found one.
Hunter Yurachek was named the Razorbacks Director of Athletics by the university on Monday afternoon.
“I am thrilled to welcome Hunter to the Razorback family,” said University of Arkansas Chancellor Joseph 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.”
Yuracheck has been with Houston since the spring of 2015 and he oversaw the search of a new football coach that landed Major Applewhite as the Cougars head coach. He had been with the school since 2014. Yuracheck had signed a five-year deal with Houston in January of this year.
Yurachek agreed to a five-year contract worth $850,000 a year, according to the university issued statement.
“The opportunity to serve the Razorback program is both humbling and exciting,” said Yurachek. “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. I want to thank Chancellor Steinmetz and those involved with the search process. Jennifer, myself and our family cannot wait to join the Arkansas Razorback family.”
Arkansas has been without a director of athletics since Nov. 15 when the school fired Jeff Long after nearly a decade on the job.
Prior to his time with the Cougars, Yurachek was the athletics director at Coastal Carolina for four years.
The University of Arkansas Board Of Trustees met in Little Rock on Monday morning in an executive session but said that no votes were taken.
“Hunter has helped us build on our nationally competitive athletics program on the field, in the classroom and by adding to our first class facilities and I wish him well,” University of Houston president Renu Khator said. “The University of Houston remains committed to our winning tradition and we will immediately begin the search for a leader who shares our desire to compete for championships at the highest level.”
Footballscoop.com first reported the hire.
Arkansas is still searching for a new football coach after Bret Bielema was fired following a 4-8 season in 2017.
Sources confirmed to 5NEWS late last week that Tulsa Athletic Director Dr. Derrick Gragg would take the position. If the hire is confirmed by the University of Arkansas, clearly the situation around Gragg changed over the past four days after it was first reported that he would be headed to the Razorbacks.
