Posted by: Pete Roussel on April 17, 2012

We have reached day #7 of the Arkansas coaching search.

As athletic director Jeff Long continues to weigh his options, Arkansas assistant coaches are hoping that Long decides to remain in-house by naming a current assistant as the interim head coach through the 2012 season.

Running backs / recruiting coordinator Tim Horton is one of three coaches that remain from Bobby Petrino's original staff in 2008.  Bobby Allen and Paul Petrino were also a part of the original staff, although Paul Petrino took a two-year hiatus to serve as the offensive coordinator at Illinois in 2010 and 2011.

Horton, however, is a former Arkansas player from 1986-1989, who has support from the current assistants and running back Knile Davis.

Horton's father, Harold, is the current executive director of the Razorback Foundation.  Harold Horton is also a former Arkansas player, Razorback assistant coach, and Central Arkansas head coach.

Tim Horton, no association with Tim Horton's donuts, was originally hired by Houston Nutt in 2007 to coach the running backs.  In his first year coaching at Arkansas, Horton helped Darren McFadden win the Doak Walker Award, which honors the nation's top running back.

Horton coached under Jerry Moore at Appalachian State, Fisher DeBerry at Air Force, and Ron Prince at Kansas State.

Here is a quick look at Tim Horton's bio:

1986-89: Arkansas (player)

1990-1992: Appalachian State (wide receivers / tight ends)

1993-1998: Appalachian State (running backs / recruiting coordinator)

1999-2004: Air Force (wide receivers)

2005: Air Force (running backs)

2006: Kansas State (running backs)

2007 (January): Air Force (offensive coordinator)

2007: Arkansas (running backs)

---------------------------------------------------

Pete Roussel is a valuable resource for coaches, athletic directors, NFL front-office personnel, and college football enthusiasts. A former college football coach, Roussel shares insight on coaches 365 days a year and is recognized as the most trusted expert on coaching transactions. Follow @CoachingSearch on twitter and send your feedback to pete@coachingsearch.com