Illinois announced Friday that it has hired former Arizona Wildcats assistant Rod Smith as its offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
It's official ✍️Help us welcome new #Illini offensive coordinator & QB coach Rod Smith! pic.twitter.com/qBBb4Z6Bog
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) January 19, 2018
Smith spent the past six years as Arizona’s co-offensive coordinator and QB coach under Rich Rodriguez, who was fired Jan. 2. Among all of Rodriguez’s assistants, Smith and co-OC Calvin Magee were considered the least likely to be retained under new UA coach Kevin Sumlin.
Magee reportedly is set to become the offensive coordinator at New Mexico.
What a great 6 years have been at Arizona. A heartfelt thank you to all the players, coaches, administration, friends and fans of Tucson. My family has been incredibly blessed with our time in Tucson and look forward the next chapter. Thank you again and #BEARDOWN for life👊🏼
— Rod Smith (@BearDownRSmith) January 19, 2018
Smith coached several prolific quarterbacks at Arizona, including Matt Scott, B.J. Denker, Anu Solomon and Khalil Tate. Smith did not call plays under Rodriguez but is expected to do so under Lovie Smith at Illinois.
The Illini have yet take off under Smith, going 5-19 in his two seasons.
Smith is from West Virginia and has prior coaching experience in the Big Ten at Michigan and Indiana.
Sumlin is in the process of putting together his staff at Arizona. Announcements are expected in the coming days. The only member of Rodriguez’s staff assured of returning is defensive coordinator Marcel Yates.
