Arkansas running backs coach Jimmy Smith resigned Friday, an Arkansas spokesperson confirmed. TCU reportedly pursued Smith for the same position, according to 247Sports.
The news came hours after Arkansas' second spring practice, where Smith was present.
On Saturday, 247Sports reported the Razorbacks will hire Miami Dolphins assistant Kolby Smith, a former player and assistant coach for Arkansas offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.
Jimmy Smith's connection to TCU is through offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, who was on Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman's staff for three seasons from 2020-22.
The Horned Frogs are looking to replace Anthony Jones, who left for the same position at Southern Cal earlier this week.
The 2024 season would have been Smith's fifth at Arkansas, where he was one of two assistants remaining from Pittman's original staff. The other is special teams coordinator Scott Fountain.
Raheim "Rocket" Sanders, now at South Carolina, is the most notable Arkansas running back to play under Smith's tutelage. Sanders amassed 2,230 rushing yards in his three seasons at Arkansas. His 2022 sophomore season was his best, when he ran for 1,443 yards to lead the Razorbacks to their 10th season in program history with more than 3,000 rushing yards.
Smith was integral to Arkansas' recruiting efforts in Georgia, where he was a state championship-winning coach at Cedar Grove High School before becoming Georgia State's running backs coach in 2019 and joining Pittman at Arkansas in 2020.
Smith, who was given the title of Associate Head Coach before last season, earned $360,000 annually at Arkansas.