The University of Arkansas has hired John L. Smith as its head coach with Smith signing a 10-month letter of agreement with a compensation package of $850,000. Smith, who was head coach at Michigan State before being fired in 2006 after four seasons in East Lansing, will also be eligible for performance and academic achievement incentives.

The 63-year-old Smith had spent the last three seasons as special teams coach for the Razorbacks. He was hired as the head coach at his alma mater, WeberState, last December.Arkansas was in need of a head coach after getting rid of Bobby Petrino two weeks ago. Petrino was fired after he lied about the details of his motorcycle accident on April First and an inappropriate relationship with a female employee of the Arkansas athletic department, Jessica  Dorrell, who was  a  passenger on the motorcycle.