Report: Smith in mix for LSU spot
University of Arkansas receivers coach Michael Smith is in the running for the vacant wide receivers job at LSU, The Times-Picayune of New Orleans reported Tuesday.
The Tigers are looking to replace Adam Henry, who left last weekend to join the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff.
Smith, 44, is a New Orleans native who was part of Coach Bret Bielema’s first staff at Arkansas in 2013 after being hired to replace George McDonald in January of that year.
Smith did not return a phone message Tuesday. Bielema, who could not be reached for comment, has maintained a policy of not commenting on coaching vacancies at other schools.
Smith, who earned $275,000 last season, said on national signing day last Wednesday that he had signed a contract for 2015 after having a meeting with Bielema. Details of the contract have
not been released, although The Times-Picayune indicated it was also for $275,000 and included a $40,000 buyout.
He was the ninth and final Arkansas assistant to sign on for next season before news broke Saturday that running backs coach Joel Thomas would be hired by the New Orleans Saints.
The Times-Picayune reported that Smith, a Kansas State graduate, is the cousin of LSU freshman receiver Malachi Dupre and has longstanding relationships with current Tigers assistants Ed Orgeron, Bradley Dale Peveto, Frank Wilson and Steve Ensminger.
Other coaches under consideration for the LSU receivers post include Southern Cal’s Tee Martin, the former Tennessee quarterback, Oregon’s Matt Lubick and Western Kentucky’s Ricky Brumfield, according to The Times-Picayune.