Mark Stoops is going with someone he trusts to coach Kentucky’s receivers as Michael Smith is expected to be joining the Wildcat staff for 2018.

Smith served as Arkansas receivers coach during Bret Bielema’s entire five-year tenure in Fayetteville. Long before coaching for Bielema, Smith crossed paths with Stoops in at Arizona in 2007 (as RBs coach) and 2008 (as inside receivers coach). He replaces Lamar Thomas, who did not have his contract renewed by Kentucky.

FootballScoop was the first to break the news of Smith heading to Lexington. The move has since been confirmed by the school.

Smith is noted for his recruiting ability. He does not have any SEC experience outside of his five years at Arkansas but has coached at Kansas State (on several different occasions) and at Rice, in addition to his experience at Arizona.