Sam Pittman fires Arkansas defensive line coach Jermial Ashley

Arkansas football has made its first offseason staff move in terminating defensive line coach Jermial Ashley, the Southwest Times Record confirmed Sunday. No reason was given for the decision.

This season was Ashley's first with the Razorbacks. He had previously spent six years as the defensive line coach at Tulsa.

The move comes days after offensive coordinator Kendal Briles reportedly signed a new deal to remain at Arkansas despite receiving an offer from Miami. Coach Sam Pittman had expressed his desire to retain Briles and defensive coordinator Barry Odom, but his wishes went beyond those two coaches.

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Pittman indicated in December that he "(didn't) want to lose anybody on our staff."

The new defensive line coach will be Arkansas' sixth in as many years. This season, Ashley's group had a strong season led by Missouri transfer Tre Williams, who declared for the NFL Draft. Starters John Ridgeway, another Draft hopeful, and Markell Utsey will also not return, leaving a relatively inexperienced group to start in 2022.

LSU transfer Landon Jackson adds some experience and talent on the edge, but Arkansas also missed on highly touted Missouri transfer Mekhi Wingo, who will go to LSU.

Christina Long covers the Arkansas Razorbacks. You can email her at clong@swtimes.com or follow her on Twitter @christinalong00.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Sam Pittman fires Arkansas defensive line coach Jermial Ashley