SportingLifeArkansas.com's Jim Harris first reported this morning that the Razorbacks' new wide receivers coach, George McDonald, is leaving Fayetteville to become the offensive coordinator for new Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer.
New Arkansas receivers coach George McDonald is leaving for Syracuse OC position, my sources tell me. #razorbacks
— Jim Harris(@jimharris360) January 15, 2013
This is a blow to Bielema's staff, as McDonald is considered one of the top recruiters in the country, and was named so by Rivals.com.
Bielema stated upon his arrival that part of the reason for coming to Arkansas was the increased salary pool for assistants to prevent attrition, but that won't stop a position coach from taking a coordinator position if that coach wants to be a head coach someday.
McDonald's departure would leave two vacancies on the football staff, along with what is believed will be a tight ends coach.
McDonald was employed by Arkansas for approximately a month and will pay a prorated portion of his $50,000 buyout, which will be come to slightly less than $50,000.