Football Razorbacks Lose Ward To South Carolina

FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas is in the market for a new defensive coach.

Lorenzo Ward is leaving the Razorbacks football staff for a position at South Carolina. Ward, according to published reports in that state, will be the Gamecocks' defensive coordinator.

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino issued a statement through media relations director Kevin Trainor, confirming Ward has left the staff. Both Petrino and Ward are in Nashville for the 86th annual American Football Coaches Association Convention.

"Lorenzo Ward has left our football staff to take a coaching position at another institution. We appreciate the hard work and efforts Lorenzo gave to the Arkansas football program in his tenure."

Ward, 41, told the Charleston Post & Courier that he would be the "defensive coordinator."

South Carolina offered Ward a three-year deal, according to the Post & Courier report Terms were not immediately available.

Ward was entering the second year of a two-year contract with the Razorbacks. He was set to make $190,000, the highest of any position coach at Arkansas.