Arkansas AD Long turns attention to coaching hire - KATV - Breaking News, Weather and Razorback Sports

By KURT VOIGT
AP Sports Writer

FAYETTEVILLE (AP) - Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long has searched for a long-term solution at football coach since Bobby Petrino's firing on April 10th.

The Razorbacks (4-8, 2-6 Southeastern Conference) will soon find out how much of a benefit that head start was for Long, who didn't wait long to announce that interim coach John L. Smith wouldn't return next season.

Long reached his decision on Smith quickly following Friday's season-ending 20-13 loss to No. 8 LSU.

The athletic director told the former Michigan State and Louisville coach of his decision Saturday morning, though Smith will remain with the program as a consultant through the end of his 10-month contract on Feb. 23, 2013.

Long has refused to eliminate nearly anyone from the candidate pool, including "top" assistants.

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