FAYETTEVILLE -- Robb Smith was demonstrating a tackling technique during his in-person interview with Coach Bret Bielema for Arkansas' defensive coordinator opening last winter.
It was nearly 4 a.m. in Bielema's hotel room in Tampa, Fla.
Defense on the rise
Arkansas has ascended to No. 22 in the nation in total defense, despite playing under their fourth coordinator in four seasons. A look at the Razorbacks’ defensive numbers for the last decade.
SEASON;RUSH DEF.;PASS DEF.;SCORING DEF.;TOTAL DEF. (RANK);COORDINATOR
2014;126.7;213.9;22.2;340.6 (22);Smith
2013;178.4;235.0;30.8;413.4 (76); Ash
2012;124.1;285.8;30.4;409.9 (73);Haynes
2011;167.6;195.2;22.2;362.8 (47);Robinson
2010;162.6;185.3;23.4;347.9 (36);Robinson
2009;152.7;248.5;25.1;401.2 (89);Robinson
2008;170.8;204.4;31.2;375.2 (72);Robinson
2007;160.2;205.4;26.5;365.6 (46);Herring
2006;114.6;185.1;18.3;299.6 (26);Herring
2005;132.6;209.3;24.6;341.9 (34);Herring
"It was just he and I," Bielema said. "We didn't have a TV on. We're just talking philosophy. He and I get along on certain things, and certain things we don't agree.
"We were talking about tackling philosophy, going on and on. We had the desk pushed to the side and the chair out and it was 3:30 or 4 in the morning. Knock, knock, knock. ... It was hotel security.
" 'Can you guys keep it down? We've had a complaint about the volume in this room.' "
Smith, a longtime acquaintance of Bielema's, has been knock, knock, knocking on the rap against Arkansas' defense during his first year in the SEC.
The Razorbacks have surged to No. 22 in the nation in total defense, allowing 340.6 yards per game entering Saturday's game against Ole Miss, which boasts the nation's No. 35 offense. Arkansas hasn't finished in the top 25 in total defense since the 2000 team was No. 12. The Razorbacks have averaged being the No. 55 in defense in the 13 seasons since, with a high of 26th in 2006 and a low of 89th in 2009.
Smith, a Pennsylvania native who started acquiring his defensive acumen at Maine and Rutgers, has adapted quickly and well to SEC football.
"I don't know him personally, but I know this: He's held Alabama to 14 points, held Mississippi State to 17, 36 rushing yards to LSU," Ole Miss Coach Hugh Freeze said. "So I don't know if you have to look much farther to say that he's doing a phenomenal job."
Smith, Arkansas fourth defensive coordinator in four seasons, inherited a defense that returned one assistant, linebackers coach Randy Shannon, allowed 413 yards per game and finished No. 76 nationally under coordinator Chris Ash.
But the Razorbacks have done nothing but improve under Smith, after yielding 595 yards to Auburn in the season-opener, and that progress was on full display during last Saturday night's 17-0 victory of No. 17 LSU.
Arkansas held LSU to a season-low 123 yards, recorded its first shutout of a conference opponent in 12 years and ended a 17-game SEC losing streak.
"I know Coach Smith came in with a great scheme," senior linebacker Martrell Spaight said. "We knew that from the get-go that we had a great coaching staff."
Smith and fellow first-year coaches Clay Jennings (secondary) and Rory Segrest (defensive line) have combined with Shannon to help transform an Arkansas defense that is earning respect around the SEC.
"We knew what type of defense we were capable of being," senior end Trey Flowers said. "Just week in and week out, we pride ourselves on the attitude that we stop the run, create takeaways and limit big plays."
Arkansas has limited chunk plays, especially at Razorback Stadium, where its five opponents have averaged 218 yards per game, 78.4 rushing yards per game, 2.4 yards per carry and haven't scored a rushing touchdown.
The Razorbacks have allowed three plays from scrimmage longer than 26 yards in their five on-campus games and four carries of 20 yards or longer, none by SEC opponents Alabama and LSU, and none since Northern Illinois had gains of 25 and 21 yards on Sept. 20. The 25-yard rush by Northern Illinois' Joel Bouagnon is the longest allowed to an opponent at Razorback Stadium this season.
Arkansas has allowed an average of 312.3 yards per game since the season opener at Auburn.
"They're playing with a heck of a lot more confidence," Jennings said. "They come into meetings and they're ready to learn, and everybody's helping one another to try to get the job done."
Shannon said having seniors like Spaight, Flowers and defensive backs Alan Turner and Tevin Mitchel get on board with the defensive plan has paid off.
"You need guys that buy in," Shannon said. "Last year we had a bunch of seniors that had been around different coaching staffs, and now if you look at the defense, we have four seniors and everybody else is young."
Bielema said he expects to have to fend off suitors for Smith's services this winter.
"Good coaches recognize coaches who are passionate about what they believe in," Bielema said. "Robb is a very unique individual. He's a guy who is very passionate and very strong about what he believes in.
"I'm sure I'll get inquiries."
Sports on 11/21/2014