Smith joined the Lobo Family in January 2026 after serving as assistant head coach and running backs coach at Southern Utah for the past four seasons.
Previous Coaching Stops
Southern Utah (2022-25): Smith spent four seasons with Southern Utah as running backs coach, and he also served as assistant head coach for the final three seasons of his tenure. Coming to SUU after a 1-10 season, the Thunderbirds quickly turned it around, finishing with back-to-back 7-5 seasons and 6-2 marks in the WAC, finishing second and third in 2024 and 2025.
The 2025 rushing offense ranked 13th overall at 202.0 yards per game, led by Joshua Dye, who went from 20 yards in 2024 at UTEP to 1,852 yards and 28 rushing touchdowns in 2025. His 28 rushing touchdowns led the FCS, and his 1,852 yards rushing were second.
That followed a 2024 season where the T-Birds ranked ninth nationally in rushing at 205.6 yards per game. Targee Lambson’s 1,921 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns were both second in the FCS. Both players were FCS All-America selections, and Lambson was third in voting for the Walter Payton Award.
Fort Lewis (2020-21): Smith served as the head coach for the Skyhawks for two seasons, both of which so Fort Lewis ravaged by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Skyhawks played only two spring games in 2020, and restrictions limited their roster and recruiting in 2021.
Bryant (2019): Smith spent one season with the Bryant Bulldogs as offensive coordinator and receivers coach. Receiver Vincent Nisivoccia was named All-NEC despite playing just seven games due to injury. He caught 52 passes in 7 games, leading the NEC with 7.4 receptions per game.
UMass (2015-18): Smith worked under Mark Whipple for UMass in a period of conference transition from the MAC to independent status.
Villanova (2007-14): His longest tenure was at Villanova, where he coached running backs and tight ends. Over his time, he coached several All-CAA players, including Kevin Monangai, who became just the fourth player in ’Nova history to break the 1,000-yard plateau on the way to first team All-CAA honors. He had another 1,000-yard rusher in Aaron Ball in 2010 with 1,081 yards on the ground. Ball was a two-time All-CAA selection.
He also coached two All-CAA picks in the same season, with tight end Matt Sherry earning first-team honors and running back Matt Dicken earning third-team honors. Sherry was eventually a sixth-round draft choice of the Cincinnati Bengals.
While with Villanova, the Wildcats won the 2009 FCS Championship.
Northeastern (2004-06): Spent three years at Northeastern, coaching receivers in 2004 and running backs in 2005 and 2006. While at Northeastern, Smith earned a prestigious NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship with the Pittsburgh Steelers. With the Huskies, he coached under Rocky Hager.
James Madison (2002-03): Coached running backs for legendary coach Mikey Matthews, helping the Dukes bridge the gap from a winless conference season just prior to his arrival to an FCS national title the year after he left for Northeastern.
Idaho (2001): Served as a graduate assistant at Idaho for one season, working with the offense. Despite a 1-10 season, the Idaho offense was terrific, averaging 37.3 points per game over the final seven games.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (2000): Spent one season as the running backs coach at IUP.
New Mexico Highlands (1995-99): Was a receivers and defensive backs coach at New Mexico Highlands from 1995-98, and then served as co-offensive coordinator for 1999. In 1996 and 1997, Jamar Nailor had back-to-back All-America seasons. In 1996, he caught 86 passes for 1,224 yards and 18 touchdowns, and in 1997, he caught 82 passes for 1,149 yards and 9 more touchdowns.
Overall, Highlands had three straight 8-3 seasons.
Frostburg State (1994): Began his coaching career as a student-assistant coach at his alma mater, Frostburg State.
PLAYING CAREER – FORSTBURG STATE (1990-93): Lettered for four seasons at Frostburg State as a defensive back, starting for three seasons and intercepting 12 passes. He graduated with a degree in Health and Physical Education.