April 23, 2012
Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long hired John L. Smith on a 10-month contract two weeks after firing Coach Bobby Petrino with cause following his motorcycle wreck with his mistress aboard.
Smith, 63, who had departed Petrino’s staff to become head coach at his alma mater Weber State in December 2011, agreed on a contract that would pay him $850,000 for the season. Smith also agreed to keep all members of the coaching staff, the strength coaches and support staff in their current positions through his 10-month term.
"In the last couple of weeks, I came to the realization I could provide guidance and stability to a program I'm extremely invested in," Smith said in a release announcing his hiring.