The 2008 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2008 football season. The Razorbacks played five home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and one home game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Razorbacks finished the season with an overall record of 5–7 and a conference record of 2–6 in Bobby Petrino's inaugural season. Leading into the 2008 season Coaching change Following the final game of the 2007 season, head coach Houston Nutt resigned from his position at Arkansas. He would later accept the head coaching position at Arkansas's division rival, the Ole Miss Rebels. After Houston Nutt's resignation, former Louisville Cardinals' and Atlanta Falcons' head coach Bobby Petrino was hired to be the new head coach of the Razorbacks. Petrino's contract with Arkansas is a five-year deal worth $2.85 million per year in annual compensation. Petrino hired Bobby Allen (defensive tackles), Kirk Botkin (defensive ends and special teams coordinator), Dean Campbell (director of high school relations), Tim Horton (running backs, tight ends and recruiting coordinator), Reggie Johnson (linebackers), Chip Long (graduate assistant), Garrick McGee (quarterbacks), Paul Petrino (offensive coordinator), Mark Robinson (director of football operations), Courtney Sanders (graduate assistant), Mike Summers (offensive line), Jason Veltkamp (strength and conditioning), and Lorenzo Ward (secondary). Ellis Johnson was originally hired to be the defensive coordinator; however, Johnson resigned from his post to take a job with the South Carolina Gamecocks on January 24, 2008. On February 6, 2008, Petrino hired former St. Louis Rams' secondary coach Willy Robinson as defensive coordinator. Players Arkansas will return with seven starters on offense and four starters on defense. Returnees on offense include quarterback Casey Dick, who threw for 1,695 yards and 18 touchdowns in the 2007 season, and 2007 Dave Rimington Trophy winner Jonathan Luigs. Three players were named to the Southeastern Conference's Pre-Season All-SEC Team: Jonathan Luigs, Mitch Petrus, and Antwain Robinson. Departures The University of Arkansas graduated 11 starting seniors in 2007, which included All-SEC offensive tackle Robert Felton, offensive tackle Nate Garner, fullback Peyton Hillis, wide receiver Robert Johnson, wide receiver Marcus Monk, defensive tackle Marcus Harrison, linebacker Weston Dacus, cornerback Michael Grant, cornerback Matterral Richardson, strong safety Matt Hewitt, and free safety Kevin Woods. Arkansas also lost consensus All-American tailback Darren McFadden, All-American tailback Felix Jones, and wide receiver Sean Penix as they decided to skip their senior season and