Feb. 11, 2008
University of New Mexico head football coach Rocky Long announced today that DeAndre Smith has been named running backs coach. Smith replaces Buzz Preston, who last month accepted an assistant coaching position at Georgia Tech.
Smith, 39, comes to UNM after three seasons (2005-07) at Miami of Ohio where he served as the RedHawks’ running game coordinator and running backs coach. Smith was promoted to associate head coach in March of 2007.
“DeAndre brings outstanding credentials to the position,” said Long. “He has developed and mentored several high-caliber running backs. Plus, DeAndre has strong recruiting ties to the Midwest, which is a real plus for our program.”
In 2005, Miami’s Brandon Murphy rushed for 1,070 yards in 10 games to rank 23rd nationally and earn second-team all-Mid-American Conference honors.
“This is an outstanding opportunity for me,” said Smith. “I’ve been able to follow the University of New Mexico’s progress the past few seasons and have been very impressed. I will do my part to keep everything going in the right direction for the Lobos.”
Prior to Miami, Smith spent four seasons (2001-04) at Northern Illinois where he was a part of three MAC West Division championship teams. Under his guidance, NIU produced four straight all-conference running backs from 2001-04, including 2003 NFL Draft pick Michael Turner, who rushed for a league-record 1,915 yards in 2002. Turner led the MAC in rushing twice (2002-03), while sophomore Garrett Wolfe paced the conference in 2004 and ranked fifth nationally with 1,656 yards.
During his four years at Northern Illinois, the Huskies logged a 33-14 record, including a victory over Troy in the 2004 Silicon Valley Bowl.
Smith sold auto and homeowners insurance for GMAC for eight years before accepting his first collegiate coaching position at Indiana State in 1999. He was the Sycamores’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 1999 and 2000.
A graduate of Missouri State in Springfield, Smith was a standout quarterback for the Bears, earning All-America honors and capturing National Offensive Player of the Year honors in 1990. He totaled 6,356 yards of total offense, including 2,276 rushing yards, and accounted for 58 touchdowns during his career as the Bears’ signal-caller, earning the Gateway Conference Offensive Player of the Decade award for 1985-95.
After earning his degree in organizational communication from Missouri State in 1992, Smith went on to play professionally for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (1992) and in France (1993).
A native of St. Louis, Mo., Smith was a multi-sport athlete at Berkeley High School, where he competed in football, basketball and track.
Smith and his wife, Lori, have three children, Ashley, Ryan and Donovan.
THE SMITH FILE
Age: 39 (born Nov. 5, 1968
Birthplace: St. Louis, Mo.
Alma Mater: Missouri State `92
Playing Experience: Missouri State (QB, 1987-90)
Bowl Games Coached: 2004 Silicon Valley (Northern Illinois)
DeAndre Smith’s Coaching Career
1999-2000 Offensive Coordinator/QBs, Indiana State
2001-04 Running Backs Coach, Northern Illinois
2005-06 Running Game Coordinator/RBs, Miami of Ohio
2007 Associate Head Coach/Running Backs, Miami of Ohio