Rumor Mill Has One Former Razorback Excited About Possible WR Coach

Arkansas fans willing to support yet another Bielema assistant coming back to the Hogs?

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Dec 30, 2023 4:33 PM EST
Original:
Dec 30, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The rumor floating around the internet is that former Arkansas wide receivers coach Michael Smith might possibly make his return to the Razorbacks in the same capacity.

Now, the idea of retreading yet another Bret Bielema staffer will likely generate a bit of eye rolling and scoffing among the Hogs' fan base following the Dan Enos experiment at offensive coordinator. However, there are two things to remember here:
1. Until head coach Sam Pittman walks up to a podium and makes it official, everything is nothing more than rumor.
2. Former Arkansas receiver Drew Morgan wants you to be fully aware how much he supports his old college position coach.

"This would be a huge hire," Morgan wrote on Twitter. "Top wide receivers coach in the country and the best recruiter. He takes care of his dudes. The whole team knows. hands down. My coach for the four years I was there and I know the current room would grow fast just like the room I was in with him leading the way."

Morgan has good reason to show support. Smith turned him from a walk-on to a pro wide receiver who put up 1,763 yards and 14 touchdowns in a run-heavy offense at Arkansas in only three seasons in which Morgan saw production Plus, beyond the open support, Smith has immediate availability.

Just a few days ago, he became one of several assistants fired at South Alabama following a season in which the Jaguars won their first-ever postseason game and also knocked off Big 12 runner-up Oklahoma State in Stillwater, 33-7. In between stops he coached receivers at Kentucky during one of the most successful stretches in Wildcats' football history, including a 10-3 season that ended with a win over No. 12 Penn State in the Citrus Bowl.

While the holidays are obviously slowing things down, it would make sense that Pittman will want to have someone officially in place by the time the next set of transfers arrive on campus shortly after the new year. Thus, the time for rumors will soon be at an end and players can react to something official.