Former Arkansas football great Ryan Mallett has reportedly been named the head coach of White Hall High School in Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
You may remember Mallett from his time at Arkansas when he transferred from Michigan to play for head coach Bobby Petrino. Ryan Mallett played for the Hogs from 2009-2010, recording 7,493 passing yards and 63 touchdowns.
The former Hog hero remains at or near the top of most Arkansas passing records, despite playing just two seasons in Fayetteville.
Mallett was hired to coach White Hall after being approved by the school board earlier this week.
“Over his number of years and experience — he played professionally and with the Razorbacks — he’s played with some of the greatest minds around,” White Hall School District Superintendent Doug Dorris said in a quote obtained by the Democrat-Gazette.
Former Arkansas Football player will make a big impact as White Hall HC
The former Arkansas QB will indeed bring with him years of experience playing with and against some of the biggest names in college and professional football.
Mallett, who was drafted in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft, was at one time seen as the heir apparent to Tom Brady when he was drafted by the New England Patriots.
But that was pie-in-the-sky as the Batesville, Ark. native never seemed to fit into the Patriots culture and was traded to Houston during his third season in New England.
Mallett had some good opportunities to play in Houston and even started several games for the team. However, his character issues once again held him back from excelling. He reportedly missed a team chartered flight in Week 7 of the 2015 season and was subsequently cut from the roster after the incident.
He signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent and played for the club from 2015-2017 before stepping away from the NFL.
Mallett has since been an offensive coordinator at Mountain Home High School and will become a first-time head coach for White Hall. His maturity and work ethic appear to be what won over Superintendent Dorris, who was on-board with bringing in the former disgruntled NFL player.
“He is out there at 6 o’clock in the morning with the quarterbacks and receivers, and they’re out there throwing,” Dorris said to the Democrat-Gazette. “His philosophy on football is a lot different from what mine used to be. I think he’s going to run an exciting offense. I was just so impressed with him, I cannot find a second person who’s been around him in the past that would say anything bad about him.”
It sounds like Mallet has turned things around and will be making a big impact on the lives of these young high schoolers.