FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Former Michigan State coach John L. Smith has been hired by Arkansas as special teams coordinator.

The Razorbacks introduced Smith on Friday and said he would also help with the defense. He was the Spartans' coach for four years before being fired after the 2006 season.

"We are extremely fortunate to add John L. Smith to our coaching staff," Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. "His experience and knowledge of the collegiate game will be a tremendous asset to our student-athletes and our program. I have had the privilege to work with him on a number of occasions previously. He is an outstanding football coach and an outstanding person."

Smith was the coach at Utah State during the 1990s and had Petrino on his staff.

Kirk Botkin, last year's special teams coach, will remain on the staff at Arkansas, coaching defensive ends. The Razorbacks had a spot to fill when secondary coach Lorenzo Ward left this week to join the staff at South Carolina.

Petrino also announced that running back Broderick Green, who played in high school just outside Little Rock, has transferred to the Razorbacks from Southern California. Green played sparingly this season as a redshirt freshman, but he rushed for 121 yards against Washington State on Oct. 18.