It's official: John L. Smith out as Arkansas coach

In news that will surprise absolutely no one:

Arkansas has "reassigned" coach John L. Smith into a consulting role until the conclusion of his contract on Feb. 23, 2013. Smith signed a 10-month deal in April to serve as Bobby Petrino's late-in-the-game interim replacement, and barring some sort of miracle, Smith was not going to be named as Arkansas' full-time coach after the 2012 season.

A miracle, in this case, would have been an 11-win season, or thereabouts. That's what most expected of Arkansas coming out of last season, especially with the team's superb talent and makeable SEC schedule – the Razorbacks got LSU and Alabama in Fayetteville.

Unfortunately, the Razorbacks went 4-8. Smith's chances at becoming Petrino's full-time replacement took an unforgivable blow during a 34-31 loss to Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 8. A week later, a 52-0 loss at home to Alabama essentially sealed Smith's fate. After a win against Tulsa on Nov. 3 moved Arkansas to 4-5, the Razorbacks lost three in a row to end the season.

"I am very grateful to chancellor (David) Gearhart and (athletic director) Jeff Long for the opportunity they gave me to return to the University of Arkansas and coach this football team," Smith said in a statement.

"I have enjoyed guiding this group and I am extremely proud of how everyone in our program stuck together and showed tremendous character by competing throughout the season. Everyone on our staff has my appreciation as they all believed in our goals and stayed committed to the development of these young men."

"I have great respect for coach Smith and I thank him for the sincere commitment he has shown our program," Long said in a statement. "He made a difficult decision in uncertain times to return from his alma mater to guide the young men in our football program, and I will always be grateful for his efforts."

An Arkansas assistant from 2009 to 2011, Smith was hired in April after spending four months as the head coach at his alma mater, Weber State.

Arkansas is expected to move quickly to find a replacement.

Dennis Dodds of CBSSports.com is reporting the school could hire a new coach within the next 10 days.