Head Hog John L Smith Avoids Golf, Motorcycles

Bella Vista, ARK--Interim Razorback Football head coach John L. Smith
had a simple explanation for skipping a round of golf while several of
his assistant coaches hit the links in the annual Northwest Arkansas
Razorback Club fundraiser tournament. "I played one time," Smith told the Razorback Nation, "and that's more than enough."

The question is, will one season as the man in charge of Hog football be enough for Smith? After stops at Idaho, Utah State, Louisville and Michigan State as a head coach and a stint as an assistant coach at Arkansas Smith had just settled into what was supposed to be the final stop in his career at his alma mater, Weber State.

Bobby Petrino's infamous Pig Trail accident on a motorcycle set off a chain of events that brought Smith into the spotlight on college football's biggest stage, the SEC. Three months after he agreed to a one-season contract at Arkansas while athletic director Jeff Long shops for Petrino's permanent replacement some Hog fans are still trying to figure out if Smith is the right man for the job even it's likely only for the 2012 season.

By passing on the golf Smith gave himself more time to mix with non playing fans had who gathered for the event. Those who met him were assured of one thing. He's much better at shaking hands and small talk than his predecessor.

One such fan had trailered a custom built Razorback-themed motorcycle to the event to show off his handiwork. Smith agreed to have his picture taken next to the bike but wisely refrained from actually sitting on it. "I guess that's smart," the man quipped. "We probably don't need another head coach on a motorcycle." He earned a quick high five from the head coach for that crack.

Smith also found time for a sit down interview with the media covering a wide range of topics before drifting off to do more socializing.

Topic number one was the status of suspended players Marquel Wade, Maudrecus Humphrey and Andrew Peterson. The trio is supposedly awaiting an August 28th court date on multiple counts of residential burglary but Smith indicated otherwise.

"That (legal situation) will be solved," Smith told reporters. "It'll either be solved one way or the other by them prior to (preseason) camp." Smith didn't address rumors that the players have not been following guidelines set down by Smith to allow them to return to the team but he did acknowledge that such requirements exist.

"What you'd like to do is give every kid a chance to correct the problem," Smith explained. "That's what we've tried to do." Smith went on to say that what is required of the three has been addressed by both the university and the courts.

Wade had been tabbed as the heir apparent to Joe Adams as the team's punt returner. If he doesn't return Wade could be replaced by incoming junior college wide receiver Demetrius Wilson who has just arrived on campus. However, Smith threw a new name into the mix: Senior running back Dennis Johnson who has been one of the best kickoff returners in school history. Could he be equally effective at returning punts?

Johnson's position coach tackled that question. "He's done it in practice some," running backs coach Tim Horton said. "He hasn't done it in a game since high school so I think it's something that he's receptive to and obviously it would be another way to get the ball into his hands."

Smith feigned surprise when asked about reports that back-up quarterback Brandon Mitchell has been taking snaps at receiver during voluntary 7 on 7 drills by the players this summer.

"It's a total shocker to me," he said with a laugh before adding, "We'd like to get Brandon on the field and he wants to get on the field. So his ability to play at that spot, he's a good enough athlete that he certainly should be able to do it."

Smith was asked his reaction to a tweet sent out by running backs coach Tim Horton who had discovered, after doing some research on Arkansas upcoming 2012 opponents, that six of them will have open dates before playing the Hogs.

Even though he was clearly aware of the situation Smith again expressed shock. "Really, six of them?" Assured that the number was accurate Smith added, "Well, hopefully they're going to need 'em."

Hog fans hope so too.

Source: http://nwahomepage.com/fulltext?nxd_id=349152

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