Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith interviewed Thursday night for the same position at Wake Forest and is believed to be a leading candidate for the opening, according to a report from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

This news follows a Friday report by Football Scoop indicating Smith was expected to take the Wake Forest coordinator job. Once that story got out, Smith denied any reports that he had taken the job with the Demon Deacons, according to Bo Mattingly.

In 2016, the Razorbacks’ defense finished 10th in the SEC in scoring defense, allowing 31.1 points per game, surrendering 30 or more on eight different occasions. They also ended up with the conference’s No. 8 total defense (426.6 yards allowed). Perhaps the most damning stat for Smith this season with Arkansas, his defense finished dead last in the nation after allowing 39 rushing touchdowns.

Smith will be due $850,000 in 2017, per the report, an extension (and raise) that was signed after he helped lead the Hogs finish 10th in the country in both total defense, allowing 323.4 yards per game, and scoring defense (19.2 ppg) in his debut season back in 2014.

It wouldn’t be a shock if Smith ended up taking the job, as Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson has a close relationship with Greg Schiano, the former Rutgers head coach who brought Smith onto his staff back in 2009 and also hired him as linebackers coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for one season in 2013.

Arkansas went 7-6 this season and enters the offseason on a two-game losing streak after losing to Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl, 35-24.