CONWAY, Ark. _ Two open positions on the UCA football coaching staff are now filled by Bill Best and Dave Wheeler, according to Bears head coach Clint Conque.

   Best, who comes to UCA from West Texas A&M, will be the offensive line coach for the Bears. Wheeler, a native of St. Joseph, Mo., will coach safeties. They are replacing Chris Hampton and Slade Nagle, who left the staff in the spring.

   “We are very pleased to add both Coach Best and Coach Wheeler to our existing coaching staff,’ said Conque, who will be beginning his 13th season at UCA. “They both bring success and a great deal of experience to their respective positions.

   “Both of these coaches fit our recruiting footprint, as well. Coach Best will be in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, while Coach Wheeler will work in the Mississippi and greater Memphis region. Both are excellent hires and will pay great dividends for our football program.’

   Best was at West Texas A&M from 2006 to 2011, coaching the offensive line and serving as offensive coordinator in his final season. A graduate of Louisiana-Monroe, Best also coached at Ranger College in Texas and in the high school ranks for three years.  At West Texas A&M, the Buffs’ 2011 offense ranked second in the nation in passing (358 ypg) and was 14th in total offense (462 ypg).

   “I had the opportunity to meet Coach Best last year,’ said Conque. “I know Coach (Brooks) Hollingsworth and our entire offensive staff was impressed with him. We share the same offensive philosophies and I know he will bring a great deal of energy to our young offensive line.’     

   Wheeler coached previously as a defensive assistant at Ole Miss, the defensive coordinator at Arkansas Tech, an assistant at Western Illinois, Southwest Baptist and West Georgia and as head coach at Hutchinson Community College. He received his bachelor’s degree from Northwest Missouri and his master’s from Western Illinois.  

   “I’ve known Coach Wheeler for eight or nine years,’ said Conque. “He brings a great deal of knowledge, on both sides of the ball. He is a veteran coach that I think can take our safety play to an even higher level. We are very fortunate that Dave was available to return back to Arkansas.’

   The Bears, coming off a 9-4 season that included a trip to the NCAA FCS Playoffs, open the 2012 season on Sept. 1 at Ole Miss. Game time is 6 p.m. in Oxford, Miss.