The Associated Press: Former Michigan State coach John L. Smith named interim coach at Arkansas

By Nick Baumgardner University of Michigan Sports Reporter

Posted on Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 3:14 p.m.

John L. Smith is back in major college coaching.

For now.

According to a report by The Associated Press, Arkansas hired the former Michigan State football coach Monday to serve as the Razorbacks' interim head coach.

Smith, who recently took a head coaching job at Weber State, has reportedly agreed to return to Arkansas on an interim basis to replace Bobby Petrino.

Petrino was fired earlier this month in the wake of news that he lied to Arkansas officials about an extensive inappropriate relationship with former Razorback staffer Jessica Dorrell.

Smith went 22-26 in four seasons at Michigan State. He was fired following the 2006 campaign and was replaced by current Spartan coach Mark Dantonio.

In four years in East Lansing, Smith was 0-4 against Michigan -- including a memorable 45-37 triple overtime Wolverine win in Ann Arbor in 2004.

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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.