Michael Smith joined the East Texas A&M football staff as defensive line coach in March 2022.
Since then, he’s been able to construct one of the top units in FCS. In 2023, Smith guided a defensive line that ranked top 20 nationally in sacks per game, also finishing top half in the country in total sacks. Additionally, Smith’s defensive line unit led the Southland Conference in both total sacks and sacks per Game. Defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez was selected as a Pro Football Focus All-American, while also earning first team All-SLC honors, finishing the season ranked as the No. 1 interior pass rusher in the nation on all levels by PFF.
In Smith’s first year, led by first team All-SLC defensive line selection Celestin Haba, Smith was a part of a defensive unit that finished the 2022 season ranked top 15 nationally in total defense, scoring defense, tackles for loss, and defensive touchdowns. In addition, in its inaugural FCS season, the Lion defensive unit led the Southland Conference in total defense and allowed the least third down conversions, while finishing second in touchdowns allowed, points allowed per game, and red zone win percentage.
Prior to East Texas A&M, Smith was the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Black Hills State for two seasons before joining the Lions in 2022. He coached two all-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference selections.
Before BHSU, Smith coached at the University of Texas at Austin where he served as the Assistant Quality Control Defensive Line Coach under Oscar Giles, Todd Orlando, and Tom Herman. Smith brings with him almost 8 years of coaching experience with three of those years spent at the FBS level. During his tenure as a Longhorn, Smith was able to be a part of a bowl championship defense, beating the No 12. Ranked Utah Utes’ 38-10, holding their top ranked rush offense to just 28 Total Yards, their lowest mark all season.
From 2017-2019 Smith spent two seasons working under Bob Davie at the University of New Mexico. During his time as Defensive Line Graduate Assistant, Smith helped develop a defensive line that totaled 125 TFLs and 47 Sacks over two seasons. Before the University of New Mexico, Smith spent time at the NAIA level Dordt College, as well as one season as Defensive Ends Coach at Van Vleck High School.
Born and raised in the Houston Area Metroplex, Smith played for David Bailiff at Rice University, starting 32 consecutive games, and also played professionally for two years. Smith earned his Double Major, Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology & Sports Medicine from Rice University in 2012. In 2019, Smith earned his Master of Science degree in Sports Management from The University of New Mexico. Smith has one daughter, Layla.
