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FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas has hired Nate Thompson as its hitting coach and recruiting coordinator, the UA announced Friday.

Thompson joins the Razorbacks after three seasons at Missouri State and replaces Tony Vitello, who left Arkansas to become the head coach at Tennessee.

“Arkansas is a premier place,” Thompson said. “Coach (Dave) Van Horn is a legend and a proven winner everywhere he has gone. To get the opportunity to coach at a place like Arkansas, to recruit with the resources and have the fan support that is here is tremendous.

"Getting the chance to work with Dave Van Horn and the caliber of players they have, it’s a dream and the opportunity of a lifetime. I couldn’t be more excited and I am blessed beyond measure to be a Hog. I can’t wait to get started and working toward championships.”

During his three-year tenure with the Bears, Thompson coached several talented players, highlighted by Jake Burger. A three-time first-team All-American third baseman, Burger became the first position player in Missouri State history to be picked in the MLB Draft when he was selected 11th overall on Monday. He hit .328 and had 22 home runs as a junior and hit 47 career home runs.

Thompson also recruited and coached shortstop Jeremy Eierman, who hit .313 with 23 home runs and is considered a top prospect for the 2018 MLB Draft.

The Bears are the only team in Division I baseball to have multiple players hit 20 or more home runs in each of the last two seasons.

Prior to joining Missouri State's staff, Thompson was an assistant coach at Hutchinson C.C. in Kansas. He has also spent time at Nebraska and Dallas Baptist.

“I am very excited to add Nate Thompson to our coaching staff,” Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. “He brings a lot of energy and experience in recruiting for this region, as well as Texas. Nate has done a tremendous job working with the offense at top-notch programs like Nebraska, Dallas Baptist, and Missouri State. I thought he would be a great fit for our program. I’ve been watching Nate for the last few years and he’s worked extremely hard to get where he is. I’m looking forward to him leading our recruiting efforts and working with our offense.”

Thompson is very familiar with Arkansas. During his time in Springfield, Mo., the Bears and Razorbacks played 10 times, with Missouri State winning six of those games. Three of those matchups were in the 2015 super regionals, when Arkansas eliminated the Bears en route to the College World Series. Another three came this year in the regionals, when it was Missouri State eliminating the Razorbacks en route to the super regionals.

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