John L. Smith Returns to Coaching

Last we saw John L. Smith, he was stringing together a series of Jim Mora-like moments, hyperventilating and face-slapping his way out of the Michigan State head coaching job. After the inevitable time away, he's back in college football as a low-level assistant for Bobby Petrino at Arkansas. Smith will coach the Hogs' special teams.

The guy is wound a little tight, but he was no slouch as a head coach at both Louisville and Michigan State and, this being America, he's likely saved enough face at this point to move back among the ranks. What could go wrong? Crazy things, that's what. We'll relive the insanity after the jump.

Remember this?



Or this?



Otherwise nothing, really. Smith's served his time if you will. Maybe this is a ride off into the sunset, but I tend to believe its more a George O'Leary move, reviving one's career quietly and steadily just off the radar before finding paydirt as a head coach again.

There's no doubt Michigan State imploded, but Smith had them in a good position for a while with an exciting offense and within sight of Ohio State and Michigan in the Big Ten. Smith is capable, but will forever live with those egg on the face incidents.