Ex-Michigan assistant Rod Smith to join Rich Rodriguez at Arizona
Ex-Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez is putting his band back together in the desert.
Less than a week after hiring three former Wolverine assistant coaches to join him at Arizona, Rodriguez has now hired former Michigan quarterbacks coach Rod Smith as his co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, according to the university.
Rod Smith
Smith's stay in Bloomington lasted only one season, as the university confirmed the news with a written release Thursday.
“We appreciate Rod’s efforts with us this season,” Wilson said in the statement. “We’re sorry to see him leave and wish him and his family the very best. Rod has a long-standing relationship with Coach Rodriguez and we understand his decision."
Smith followed Rodriguez from West Virginia to Michigan prior to the 2008 season, and spent three seasons in Ann Arbor.
Also Thursday, Rodriguez named Mike Parrish as his director of football operations at Arizona. Parrish filled the same role on Rodriguez's staff at Michigan in 2010.
Last week, Rodriguez announced Arizona's hiring of ex-Michigan assistants Calvin Magee, Tony Dews and Tony Gibson.
Rodriguez has yet to name a defensive coordinator.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
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