Razorbacks Should Benefit from Mateos Hire for Ailing Offensive Line

National outlet thinks highly of Hogs' new offensive line coach

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Eric Mateos was hired by Arkansas coach Sam Pittman to do one thing – restore the pride in the offensive line room. After the group surrendered 47 sacks and 93 tackles for loss, it was time for a change. Mateos returns to Fayetteville after spending the past eight seasons in assistant roles at LSU and Texas State before building two Joe Moore Award semifinal offensive lines at BYU and Baylor since 2020.

The Bears did struggle a bit last season, giving up 83 tackles for loss (No. 109 in NCAA) and 34 sacks (No. 106 in NCAA). A change of scenery and signing a trio of transfers in Keyshawn Blackstock (Michigan State), Fernando Carmona (San Jose State) and Addison Nichols (Tennessee) hope to flip the Arkansas script in 2024. 

247sports Brad Crawford shared a positive take on Matoes' potential impact on the Razorbacks' offensive line this fall:

"Eric Mateos is a coach with Razorback blood after he studied under Sam Pittman as an analyst previously in Fayetteville (2013-15) while the Arkansas head coach served as the program's offensive line coach. He's back to fix widespread problems up front after helping improve Baylor at the line of scrimmage in recent years. Over his coaching career, Mateos — who has a master's degree from Arkansas — saw eight of his former players selected in the NFL Draft and he has more talent with which to work in the SEC compared to previous coaching stops." — Brad Crawford

The past two seasons have seen a tremendous drop off in offensive line production compared to previous years under Pittman. Whether it be as head coach or as an assistant, the Hogs have always produced a quality line. Matoes' track record is well worth going all-in for the fans.

“I love him," Pittman said in December. "He’s a wonderful person, a hard worker. Obviously proven. Went to Texas State. Went to LSU after here, obviously. Then BYU. Had one of the top lines in the country — Joe Moore Award candidates. Went to Baylor, same thing down there. Coached several NFL offensive linemen. I think he’s got four or five guys he’s had his hands on that are starting in the NFL right now at center. He’s just a wonderful man.”

Pittman wanted someone who knew Arkansas, culture, and wanted to be here. The Kansas native knows what it takes to field a successful line as he helped Pittman assemble 'the largest offensive line in football' for two straight seasons in 2014 and 2015. 

“The thing I liked most about him is that he wanted to be here,” Pittman said. “When I called him, it was ‘absolutely.’ Wonderful family. I’m just real proud that he’s come.”

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