Arkansas running back coach Jimmy Smith has accepted the same position at TCU, according to a report by Matt Zenitz at 247Sports.
Smith was present at Arkansas’ spring practice Friday morning, but the news of TCU’s pursuit quickly began spreading in the early afternoon hours.
He will replace Anthony Jones, who departed for USC earlier in the week.
Smith spent the last four years on the Razorback staff under Sam Pittman and was named the program’s associate head coach in the spring of 2023.
He will now join TCU offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, who he worked with for three seasons at Arkansas from 2020-23.
Smith helped orchestrate a rushing attack at Arkansas in 2022 that racked up 236.7 yards per game and ranked seventh in the country.
Led by Rocket Sanders, the Razorbacks rushed for more than 3,000 yards for just the 10th time in school history.
In 2021, the Hogs led the Power Five and ranked second nationally with 227.8 rushing yards per game.
Here is more from Smith’s coaching timeline courtesy of the U of A:
The Smith Profile
Birthdate: July 27, 1979
Birthplace: Darlington, South Carolina
College: Fayetteville State, 2002 B.S. Business Administration; Georgia State, 2009 M.Ed
Family: Wife – Quanisha; Son – Jermaine II; Daughter – Joss
Coaching Experience
2005 Darlington (S.C.) HS (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2007-09 Cedar Grove (Ga.) HS (Assistant Coach)
2010-12 Cedar Grove (Ga.) HS (Offensive Coordinator)
2013-18 Cedar Grove (Ga.) HS (Head Coach)
2019 Georgia State (Running Backs)
2020-22 Arkansas (Running Backs)
2023-pres. Arkansas (Associate HC/Running Backs)
Playing Experience
1998-99 Tennessee State
Chris Klenakis new rb coach!