FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — John L. Smith knew Arkansas as well as anyone, had a vested interest in seeing the program’s recent run of success continue. The chance to help clean up the mess Bobby Petrino made was too much for Smith to pass up.

Arkansas announced Smith’s hiring as head coach Monday, bring back the popular former assistant who left four months ago to take over at Weber State. Smith will be formally introduced Tuesday, and the school said he signed a 10-month, $850,000 contract and will also be eligible for other incentives.

“I am tremendously excited to have this special opportunity to return to Arkansas and lead the Razorback football program,” Smith said in a statement.

Smith’s return caps a whirlwind three weeks for a program reeling after revelations of an affair by Petrino with a woman, Jessica Dorrell, he later hired as his assistant. Petrino also once gave his Dorrell $20,000 in gifts — all which was revealed following an April 1 motorcycle crash on a rural road southwest of Fayetteville. Dorrell has since resigned.

Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long fired Petrino on April 10 and started looking for a new coach. In the end, he came back to Smith — a person with head coaching experience and familiarly with the Razorbacks’ staff, one who will allow that staff to remain intact for at least the 2012 season.