Arkansas has named Robb Smith its new defensive coordinator, the school announced Saturday.

Smith spent last season as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' linebackers coach under Greg Schiano, for whom he previously served as defensive coordinator at Rutgers. The Bucs fired Schiano in December.

Smith replaces former coordinator Chris Ash, who joined Ohio State in January.

"I've been able to watch Robb Smith grow in the profession, and I know he'll bring in an attacking defensive philosophy that is built specifically to stop offenses in the SEC," Razorbacks coach Bret Bielema said in a statement. "Robb has been promoted time and time again at every place he's been. With his background, he captivates a room no matter where he is and players gravitate towards him. He's demonstrated an understanding of what it takes to build a team into a championship program."

Smith inherits a Razorbacks team that went 0-8 in the SEC last season. Arkansas was 89th in the country in allowing 30.8 points per game.

In Smith's final year at Rutgers in 2012, the Scarlet Knights were fourth in the nation at 14.2 points per game.

ESPN's Brett McMurphy contributed to this report.