FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas football coach John L. Smith flew to Idaho Falls, Idaho on Thursday to attend the funeral of his youngest brother, Bart, who died on Monday at the age of 53.
According to an obituary published in the Idaho Falls Post Register, Bart Smith's funeral was scheduled for 1 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on Friday.
"...Bart's favorite pastime was following his brother, John L's, college football teams wherever he was coaching," the obituary read, in part. Bart Smith was pictured wearing a Razorbacks hat in the obituary.
John L. Smith will return to Fayetteville Friday night in order to coach the Razorbacks' game against Rutgers on Saturday.
It has been a tumultuous month for the interim Arkansas coach. Smith filed bankruptcy on Sept. 6 with documents later revealing he had $25.7 million in debt. Since, the Razorbacks have suffered historic back-to-back home losses against Louisiana-Monroe and Alabama.
He has been subject to criticism this week after telling reporters to smile prior to his weekly press conference on Monday. It's unknown whether the 63-year-old coach knew of his brother's death at the time.
Arkansas hired Smith to a 10-month contract in April after Bobby Petrino was fired for misconduct. Smith worked as the Razorbacks' special teams coordinator from 2009-11 and had previously spent 18 seasons as a head coach.
He was hired last December as head coach at his alma mater Weber State University before resigning and returning to Arkansas on April 23.