Razorbacks Hire Dan Enos as Offensive Coordinator

The Arkansas Razorbacks announced Thursday morning that they will hire Dan Enos as their next offensive coordinator. Enos spent the past five seasons as head coach for the Central Michigan Chippewas.

The Twitter feed is going crazy over the recent news of Arkansas’ new offensive coordinator. Many fans are already questioning the move, wondering exactly “who is this guy?”

Enos is indeed a surprising pickup for Bret Bielema, but could be a very good fit for the Razorbacks. He was named a Top 25 recruiter by Rivals.com in 2009 and joins a recruiting staff that has put together one of Arkansas’ best classes in recent years. The addition of Enos could help lure many prospects from an area in the north that Bret Bielema used to own himself.

The former head coach spent his last five seasons calling plays for the Chippewas and led CMU to two bowl games in his last three seasons with the team. Enos is probably most known for his December 2014 heroics in the Bahamas Bowl, when the Chippewas came back from 35 points down in the 4th quarter and scored a touchdown on a 75-yard hail mary/triple lateral/20-yard scamper to the pylon on the last play. Central Michigan would lose the game to Western Kentucky on the 2-point conversion attempt after the incredible comeback try.

Enos also spent a few seasons as quarterbacks coach for Michigan State, Cincinnati and Western Michigan, where he coached the likes of Drew Stanton, Javon Ringer and my personal favorite Gino Guidugli. Earlier in his career, he spent time as offensive coordinator for North Dakota State and Missouri State. Both teams averaged over 30 points per game and spent time inside the Top 25 of the FCS in each of his two seasons with the teams. Enos began his coaching career at Lakeland College, Northern Michigan and Southern Illinois, where he held multiple positions as quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach.

In 2006, Stanton became a 2nd round draft pick of the Detroit Lions after a senior season where he passed for 2,252 yards and 17 touchdowns. Stanton spent the 2014 season as the part-time starter for the NFL playoff team Arizona Cardinals.

In 2004, Gino Guidugli put up one of the best seasons in Cincinnati history when he passed for 2,633 yards and 26 touchdowns under the mentoring of Enos. He became the school’s all-time leading passer with 11,453 yards.

Sep 20, 2014; Lawrence, KS, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas head coach Dan Enos on the sidelines against the Kansas Jayhawks in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Kansas won the game 24-10. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Enos also coached the 2013 No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Offensive tackle Eric Fisher became the first Mid-American Conference player to be drafted No. 1 overall.

“We are thrilled to have Coach Enos joining us in Fayetteville,” said Bielema. “Dan is a great fit for our program. He runs a pro-style offense and brings expertise at the quarterback position as both a player and coach. We played against each other in college and he was a very intelligent and talented quarterback who showed great toughness and leadership. He has an outstanding reputation and will be a tremendous asset for Razorback football.”

Arkansas will open their 2015 schedule with three straight home games against UTEP, Toledo and Texas Tech. Toledo, a MAC opponent of Central Michigan and powerhouse in the conference, was never defeated by Enos in his five seasons with the school.