Arkansas Football: John L. Smith Gets Another Shot to Shine with Razorbacks

The Arkansas Razorbacks took one step back to take a few forward when they hired John L. Smith to be their interim head coach. 

ESPN reported on Monday that Arkansas would rehire John L. Smith to take over for recently dismissed Bobby Petrino. 

Smith left Arkansas after last season to be the coach at Weber State, only to return months later when a huge hole was left amid a national scandal. 

Arkansas fired Petrino after his long-term relationship with an Arkansas employee became public knowledge. 

The former head coach failed to ever disclose his relationship with Jessica Dorrell, even when he had a hand in her hiring. 

Arkansas flourished under Petrino, and became a real power in the national landscape, making their loss of his leadership an extensive one. 

Smith comes with experience, but he has nowhere near the track record in regards to victories. That makes this latest stint a proving ground for a 63-year-old head coach wanting to prove he can win with a big-time program. 

Smith has been the head coach for Idaho, Utah State and Louisville, winning a Liberty Bowl with the Cardinals in 2001. 

He then took over the head coaching job with Michigan State in 2003, but never won over fans through four seasons and a record of 22-26. 

He was bought out of his contract in 2006 and came to Arkansas as special teams coach in 2009. 

It's understandable how this chance reunion took place. Arkansas would like some sense of familiarity in their head coach, and Smith wants another shot to prove elite coaching acumen. 

A perfect storm gives Smith another shot, but it very well could be his last. The one-year deal makes Smith a candidate to be one-and-done if another big name becomes available in the next year. 

There is no question that Arkansas will feel the burden of a sudden and jarring shift in regimes, but Smith comes in with experience and urgency to prove he can command the program. 

There is never a perfect fit amid a scandal fallout like this, but Smith is as close as they come. 

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