FAYETTEVILLE — Nick Perry still remembers the roar of Razorback Stadium on a blistering September afternoon in 2010. Back then, he was a defensive back for No. 1 Alabama, stepping into a top-10 showdown against No. 10 Arkansas.
“It was one of the loudest places I’ve ever played,” Perry recalled with a grin. Alabama, led by coach Nick Saban, survived that raucous day with a 24-20 win, rallying for 10 fourth-quarter points. “I don’t think I had pork for two months after that game,” Perry joked on Tuesday. “It was wild. This place is tough to play — the fans, the ‘Pig Sooie,’ it gets loud in a hurry.”
Fourteen years later, Perry finds himself back on The Hill — this time as Arkansas’ new secondary coach. Hired in January, he’s now preparing for his first season leading the Razorbacks’ defensive backs.
After college, Perry had stints in NFL training camps with the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles. He returned to Alabama as a graduate assistant, launching a coaching journey that’s taken him through roles as a defensive analyst at his alma mater and into the NFL. Perry spent time with the Atlanta Falcons as an assistant defensive backs and wide receivers coach — “like a double agent,” as he puts it — before joining the Seattle Seahawks last year as a defensive assistant.
Now, he’s back in college football, embracing the Razorbacks’ cardinal color with enthusiasm.
“When coach [Travis Williams] and coach [Sam] Pittman called, it was a no-brainer,” Perry said. “My wife couldn’t pack our bags fast enough. We’re back in the South, and I’m ready to roll.”
He inherits a revamped Arkansas secondary featuring seven transfer additions.
“All the new guys have been a breath of fresh air,” Perry said. “We’ve added depth. We’ve got guys who can cover man-to-man, play physically in the run game, and take the ball away. That’s the emphasis in this camp — creating turnovers and playing aggressive.”
Perry’s blend of NFL experience, time under Saban, and his relatability with players has been a natural fit back in the college ranks. His perspective from coaching both defensive backs and wide receivers gives him a unique edge.
“He’s a master of both sides of the ball,” said Fresno State transfer Jordan Neal.
Players respect that Perry understands their grind. He’s been in their shoes as an SEC defensive back, which makes his feedback both empathetic and demanding. Mistakes don’t get glossed over, but even success isn’t a reason to get complacent.
“You can’t fall in love with the result,” Perry explained. “An interception, a pass breakup, a forced fumble — there’s always a coaching point before that. Because next time, it might not go our way. You have to coach the process, not just celebrate the outcome.”
Jaheim Singletary, a returning Razorback, said Perry’s NFL background gives Arkansas an edge few teams have. “He brings things to the table other programs don’t have in their toolbox yet,” Singletary said.
Head coach Sam Pittman has been vocal about wanting a more aggressive Razorbacks defense — more blitzing, more turnovers, more playmakers. Perry is all-in on that vision.
“He wants you to take risks,” said Oklahoma transfer Kani Walker. “He wants you to dominate every play, no matter the situation. But he’s also understanding — if something goes wrong, he sees where you’re coming from and helps you correct it.”
On Tuesday, Perry’s energy was evident as he greeted media members with smiles and handshakes, his voice hoarse from a lively “third-down day” at practice — a sign of intense competition.
He’s drawing from lessons learned in Tuscaloosa and the NFL, with plans to instill that mindset in his Razorbacks.
“To me, this is a premier program,” Perry said. “This is a hard place to play. The fans are passionate, the atmosphere is electric — and we’re going to feed off that.
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