Ex-Pack assistant coach Klenakis joins Razorbacks

Former Nevada Wolf Pack assistant football coach Chris Klenakis has been named to the Arkansas Razorback staff as an assistant coach for the offensive line, Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino announced Friday.

The 35-year-old Klenakis, a former Fallon High head coach, has 19 years of Division I coaching experience. Klenakis was the Wolf Pack's offensive coordinator and offensive line coach the past six seasons.

"I've been able to follow his impressive career since the beginning and Chris has an innovative offensive mind," said Petrino, a former Wolf Pack assistant coach. "There are elements of the Pistol offense he ran at Nevada that are intriguing and blend well with our philosophy of being aggressive and attacking defenses in a number of ways.

"He was raised in the profession by Chris Ault, who is one of just a few active head coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame. Chris Klenakis brings great energy and I know our offensive line will enjoy playing for him."

The Wolf Pack had the number one ranked rushing offense in the nation, averaging 344.9 yards per game this past season. The Wolf Pack ranked second nationally in total offense (505.6 yards a game) and sixth in scoring (38.2).

As offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, Klenakis has tutored 12 All-WAC selections. The group includes wide receiver Brandon Wimberly who was the 2009 WAC Freshman of the Year and a second-team honoree. Offensive lineman Alonzo Durham and running back Vai Taua were selected to the first team in 2009, while offensive lineman Kenneth Ackerman, tight end Virgil Green and quarterback Colin Kaepernck were also second-team choices.

Klenakis has also coached for three years at Southern Mississippi (2000-02) and one at Central Missouri (2003).

From 1990-99, Klenakis was an assistant coach at Nevada, serving as offensive coordinator from 1997-99. Under his guidance, Nevada set 24 NCAA records and annually ranked among the national leaders in total offense, passing offense and scoring offense.

Klenakis helped lead the Wolf Pack to Big Sky Conference titles in 1990 and 1991 and an NCAA I-AA national runner-up finish in 1990. He then helped lead the Wolf Pack to five Big West Championships, and to three Las Vegas Bowl appearances.

Klenakis coached at Gabbs High in 1986 and at Fallon from 1987-89 before joining the Wolf Pack.