The University of Arkansas is on the verge of replacing disgraced ex-football coach Bobby Petrino with former Arkansas assistant John L. Smith, who was head coach at Louisville and Michigan State.
Smith, 63, was only four months into his deal with his alma mater, Weber State, when he approached Arkansas about their football job opening,according to ESPN.
Smith was Petrino's special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach for three seasons and worked with Petrino on the same coaching staff at Idaho, Utah State, Louisville and Arkansas, according to his old Arkansas bio.
ESPN reported that Smith's deal will be for one year and that Smith "can provide a guiding hand to coordinators for allowing them to do their jobs.
"Smith has demonstrated a colorful, quirky personality in past coaching stops. But he views this as an opportunity to help settle a situation and coach a legitimate title contender," ESPN's Joe Schad reported. "Smith has been a sounding board and guiding hand for Bobby Petrino throughout his career and now he will attempt to help his former staff and players through a difficult time."
"John L. Smith" became a trending topic on Twitter as news spread that he would succeed Petrino, who was fired after his inappropriate relationship with Jessica Dorrell came to light.
"John L Smith took Weber State job just 4 months ago but leaves before coaching a game. Is this the perfect Petrino replacement or what?" asked user @JeffSchultzAJC, referring to Petrino's quick coaching stops.
CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell said the move is a good one for Smith.
"Can't blame John L. Smith for leaving Weber St for Arkansas," Rovell tweeted. "In 2010-2011, Weber St LOST $48,357 on its football program."
Arkansas fan @JaredPepper22 praised the move.
"Im good with John L. Smith. Best Decision #GOHOGS," he tweeted.
What does the "L" in John L. Smith stand for? A mean-spirited Wikipedia user edited Smith's profile to say the "L" stood for "Loser," although Smith's profile was quickly re-edited. It's unclear what the "L" stands for, as all of Smith's bios do not point it out. But we're pretty sure its not Loser.
Here is a screenshot of what his Wikipedia profile looked like as word that Arkansas is hiring John L. Smith became known:
MUST READ:
Bobby Petrino And Jessica Dorrell: Over 7,000 Texts Sent, How Long Were They Hiding The Affair? New Notes Emerge
Jessica Dorrell Pictures: Bobby Petrino's Mistress Resigns For $14K
Bobby Petrino Wreck: School Lands $1.5 Million Gift For Handling of Jessica Dorrell Scandal[PHOTO]
Jessica Dorrell: Bobby Petrino's Ex-Mistress Used $20,000 To Purchase Car
Firing Bobby Petrino Pays Off For Arkansas: School Gets $1.25M Gift For Athletic Director's 'Courageous Leadership'[PHOTO]
Alison Melder Denies Being Bobby Petrino's Mistress
Jessica Dorrell: Bobby Petrino's Ex-Mistress Used $20,000 To Purchase Car
Bobby Petrino's Ex-Mistress Jessica Dorrell Placed On Paid Administrative Leave
Bobby Petrino Going to Sex Rehab After Affair with Mistress Jessica Dorrell, Text Exchanges with Alison Melder?[PHOTOS]
Jessica Dorrell NOT Fired by Arkansas, on Paid Leave After Affair with Bobby Petrino
Jessica Dorrell: Photos of Bobby Petrino's Mistress that he Hired[PHOTOS]
Jessica Dorrell: Bobby Petrino's Ex-Mistress put on Paid Leave by the University of Arkansas
Bobby Petrino's Wife: Nude Photos Could be Last Straw for Becky Petrino [PICTURES]
Bobby Petrino: Who Could He Get Lucky With On Friday The 13th? [PHOTOS]
Bobby Petrino: Text Messages Contain Concern for His Job
Jessica Dorrell: Bobby Petrino's Ex-Mistress put on Paid Leave by the University of Arkansas
Alison Melder Photos: The Bikini Model that Bobby Petrino Exchanged Text and Picture Messages With[PHOTOS]
Bobby Petrino: Jessica Dorrell, Alison Melder and Becky Petrino Photos - The Women Linked to the Former Arkansas Coach[PHOTOS]
Alison Melder: Pictures, Facts About Bobby Petrino's Model "Friend" [PHOTOS]
Jessica Dorrell Pictures with Fiance Josh Morgan AND Bobby Petrino [PHOTOS]
Who is Jessica Dorrell? Pictures and Details of the Arkansas Woman Involved in a College Football Scandal[PHOTOS]
Alison Melder: Pictures of Bobby Petrino's Mistress and Former Model [PHOTOS]
Bobby Petrino: Former Arkansas Coach Won't Appeal Dismissal After Jessica Dorrell Affair
Jessica Dorrell: Fiancé Josh Morgan Still Working At University
Jessica Dorrell, Bobby Petrino Texted 84 Times One Day; More Than 4,300 Over 7 Months[PHOTO]
Bobby Petrino Jessica Dorrell Affair: Parodied by Taiwanese Animators [PHOTO+VIDEO]
Ex-Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino And Jessica Dorrell: A Timeline Of Conversations
Jessica Dorrell: Fiancé Josh Morgan Still Working at the University of Arkansas [Photo]
Jessica Dorrell: Photos Of Bobby Petrino's Ex-Mistress[PHOTOS]
Bobby Petrino's Wife Pictures: Becky Petrino Photos, the Woman the Arkansas Coach Cheated on with Jessica Dorrell[PHOTOS]
Bobby Petrino Nude Photos: Former Coach Reportedly Sent Jessica Dorrell Naked Pictures
Jessica Dorrell: Arkansas Fans Plan Rally In Support of Bobby Petrino
Jessica Dorrell: Bobby Petrino Paid $20,000 to Dorrell, Gave Her 'Undisclosed Advantage'
Bobby Petrino Unjustly Fired for Affair with Mistress Jessica Dorrell[VIDEO]
Bobby Petrino: Who Is Jessica Dorrell, Passenger In Arkansas Coach's Motorcycle Accident?
Bobby Petrino: Head Football Coach Of The University Of Arkansas Razorbacks Involved In Motorcyle Accident
Bobby Petrino: Photos of his Wife Becky and Mistress Jessica Dorrell[PHOTOS]
Becky Petrino: 8 Facts About Bobby Petrino's Wife
Jessica Dorrell Scandal Should Doom Bobby Petrino's Future Job Prospects
Jessica Dorrell: Bobby Petrino Paid $20,000 to Dorrell, Gave Her 'Undisclosed Advantage'
Bobby Petrino Fired For Relationship With Jessica Dorrell
Jessica Dorrell: Bobby Petrino's Fate Depends On Importance of Winning Over Morals
Bobby Petrino Fired: Arkansas' Head Coach Shouldn't Lose His Job Over Affair with Jessica Dorrell
Jessica Dorrell: Bobby Petrino Placed on Administrative Leave For 'Inappropriate Relationship'
Jessica Dorrell: Bobby Petrino Admits 'Inappropriate Relationship' With Female Passenger
Bobby Petrino: Arkansas Coach Suffered Broken Ribs, Strained Neck
Jessica Dorrell: Police Say Female Passenger Rode With Bobby Petrino During Motorcycle Crash
Bobby Petrino Press Conference: Live Stream Online, Where to Watch
Jessica Dorrell Fiance, Josh Morgan, No Longer on Arkansas Website
Jessica Dorrell, Josh Morgan Wedding Site 'Defaced' After Petrino Admits 'Inappropriate Relationship'
© 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
