OGDEN, Utah (AP) — Weber State has selected Jody Sears as its interim football coach to replace John L. Smith. Smith left Monday to take the Arkansas job following that school’s firing of Bobby Petrino. The 44-year-old Sears joined the Wildcats staff this spring and has been working as the team’s defensive coordinator. He will continue in that role as well. Sears spent the previous three seasons at Washington State, where he was co-defensive coordinator. He also is no stranger to the Big Sky Conference as he spent five seasons as defensive coordinator at Eastern Washington. He began his collegiate coaching career at Iowa State in 1994. Sears was a two-year letter-winner at Washington State after walking on as a wide receiver. Weber State opens its season Sept. 1 at Fresno State.