The University of Arkansas revealed this week that Marcus Edwards has been named the new strength and conditioning coach for its men’s basketball program, succeeding Dave Richardson, who left for an identical position at Ohio State.
A Journey Across the Heartland
Edwards arrives after stints at several institutions, including Oklahoma State, Vanderbilt, Wyoming, Southern Illinois and two periods at Missouri. At Oklahoma State he helped the Cowboys advance to the NIT quarterfinals in 2025 and 2026, while his time at Vanderbilt overlapped with Arkansas assistant Brad Calipari.
A Return to Columbia
During the 2021‑22 season Edwards returned to Missouri as director of athletic performance, a role that followed the Tigers’ NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018. He graduated from Missouri in 2015 and later earned a graduate degree from Texas after a two‑year internship.
What This Means for the Razorbacks
Arkansas hopes Edwards’s breadth of experience will sharpen its conditioning programs and bolster player development as the team looks to contend in the SEC. The hire underscores a continued effort to blend proven expertise with fresh perspectives within the program.