East Carolina brings Smith back to coaching staff

Rick Smith has returned to East Carolina's coaching staff.Coach Ruffin McNeill added Smith as defensive coordinator and secondary coach Friday.

Smith was the Pirates' defensive backs coach from 2005-09 under Skip Holtz and spent three seasons with him at South Florida as assistant head coach in charge of cornerbacks and safeties.

The 64-year-old Smith was part of East Carolina's consecutive Conference USA title-winning teams in 2008 and '09.

He replaces the fired Brian Mitchell, who was hired earlier this week by West Virginia.

McNeill says he wanted a defensive coordinator who was experienced and a fit for the school.