Former SIU running back and running backs coach Larry Warner has accepted a job at Central Arkansas, leaving the Salukis’ staff one member short.

Coach Nick Hill said losing Warner is more than losing a coach.

“Larry is one of my best friends,” he said. “It’s sad for me because I’m losing a friend … [we’ve] been friends for a long time, almost 10 years now.”

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Warner and Hill played at SIU together at 2007 during Hill’s senior year and Warner’s first after transferring from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. In 2008, Warner was named an Associated Press First-Team All-American. He rushed for 1,790 yards and 15 touchdowns in two seasons with the Salukis.

At Mississippi Gulf Coast, Warner played for current Central Arkansas coach Steve Campbell. Warner was a First-Team National Junior College Athletic Association All-American and First-Team Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges player in 2006.

Hill said he told Warner to take the interview with Central Arkansas.

“It’s a good move professionally for Larry,” he said. “It’s close to home for his family and it’s a good move for him in the profession of football coaching for sure.”

Warner served as SIU’s running backs coach for the last two seasons. Last year, Warner coached freshman running back Daquan Isom to an average of seven yards per carry, which is fifth all-time at SIU. His 158.22 all-purpose yards per game was seventh in the nation.

Warner also served as an SIU graduate assistant in 2010 and 2011 and helped coach Jewel Hampton in the latter. Hampton, who is a running back for the San Francisco 49ers, was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Newcomer of the Year as he led the Valley in scoring and finished third in rushing.

Hill said he knows who he would like to hire and wants to do so quickly.

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“It’s just a matter of the hiring process [now],” he said.

Brent Meske can be reached at [email protected] or at 536-3333