Just a couple of hours after a report surfaced that Robb Smith was expected to be hired as Arkansas’ defensive coordinator, the expected has come to fruition.
The Razorbacks announced in a press release that Smith has indeed been hired to replace Chris Ash as the Hogs’ coordinator. Ash had left to take the co-coordinator job at Ohio State last month.
“I’ve been able to watch Robb Smith grow in the profession, and I know he’ll bring in an attacking defensive philosophy that is built specifically to stop offenses in the SEC,” head coach Bret Bielema said in a statement. “Robb has been promoted time and time again at every place he’s been. With his background, he captivates a room no matter where he is and players gravitate towards him. He’s demonstrated an understanding of what it takes to build a team into a championship program.”
Smith spent four years at Rutgers (2009-12) as an assistant, including one year as coordinator. He left the Scarlet Knightsin February of 2013 to join his former RU boss, Greg Schiano, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A linebackers coach during his lone season with the Bucs, Smith was not retained following Schiano’s firing.
His only other experience as a coordinator came at Maine from 2006-08.