Chad Smith has built an impressive career in football, transitioning from a player to a respected strength and conditioning coach. His journey spans multiple NCAA Division I institutions, showcasing his dedication and expertise in the field.
Early Life and Playing Career
A Cleveland, Tenn. native, Smith was a three-year football letterwinner as a fullback at Chattanooga, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2006.
- Hometown: Cleveland, Tenn.
- Alma Mater: Chattanooga, 2006 (B.S.); Memphis, 2009 (M.S.)
- Playing Experience: 2002-04 Chattanooga (FB)
Coaching Career
Smith's coaching career began with internships before he took on full-time roles at various universities. He earned a master’s degree in human movement sciences from Memphis in 2009. Here’s a detailed look at his coaching experience:
- 2005: Chattanooga (Intern)
- 2006: South Florida (Intern)
- 2006-08: Memphis (Graduate Assistant)
- 2009-11: Mississippi State (Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach)
- 2013-19: Florida International (Director of Strength and Conditioning)
- 2020: South Alabama (Director of Football Strength and Conditioning)
- 2021: Southern California (Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach)
- 2022-: Georgia Tech (Assistant Football Strength and Conditioning Coach)
He began his coaching career with internships at Chattanooga and South Florida, followed by three years as a graduate assistant at Memphis, where he worked with the Tigers’ football, baseball and softball programs. His first full-time job came at Mississippi State, where he served as assistant strength and conditioning coach for three years (2009-11) and worked alongside current Georgia Tech head football strength and conditioning coach Lewis Caralla.
A 17-year strength and conditioning coaching veteran who has worked exclusively at the NCAA Division I level, Smith most recently spent the 2021 season as an assistant strength coach at Southern California. Prior to his one season at USC, Smith was the director of football strength and conditioning at South Alabama for one season (2020) and the director of strength and conditioning at Florida International for seven years (2013-19), where he oversaw the strength training for all 14 of FIU’s men’s and women’s sports.
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Time at Clemson
Key special teams contributor early in his career who earned a starting role as a fifth-year senior. Completed his career in 2019 credited with 154 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, an interception, a pass breakup, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 863 snaps over 58 games (14 starts) in his career.
2019 Season
Credited with 80 tackles (5.0 for loss), 3.5 sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 583 snaps across 15 games (14 starts). All-ACC Academic selection. NFF Hampshire Honor Society member. Posted seven tackles (one for loss) and a forced fumble vs. Georgia Tech. Added five tackles vs. No. 12 Texas A&M. Notched nine tackles including a sack at Syracuse. Contributed two tackles vs. Charlotte. Posted five tackles and contributed to the game-winning stop on a two-point conversion attempt at North Carolina. Notched two tackles and his first career interception vs. Florida State. Recorded seven tackles including a nine-yard sack at Louisville. Shared team defensive player of the game honors after leading Clemson with nine tackles vs. Boston College, including a sack in which he forced a fumble that Logan Rudolph returned 39 yards for a touchdown. Led team with seven tackles at NC State and returned a fumble inside the Wolfpack 5 to set up a Clemson touchdown. Added two tackles vs. Wake Forest. Notched six tackles at South Carolina. Recorded seven tackles (0.5 for loss) vs. No. 22 Virginia in the ACC Championship Game. Named Defensive MVP of the Fiesta Bowl after posting 12 tackles (0.5 for loss) vs. No. 2 Ohio State.
2018 Season
Credited with 35 tackles (2.0 for loss), 1.0 sack and a fumble recovery in 127 snaps over 15 games. Made one tackle in season opener vs. Furman. Recorded two tackles each in wins against Texas A&M, Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech and Wake Forest. Contributed four tackles, including one for loss, at Florida State. Posted five tackles including a sack vs. Louisville. Added three tackles vs. Duke. Contributed four tackles vs. South Carolina. Registered five tackles and a fumble recovery against Pitt. Added a tackle vs. No. 1 Alabama in the National Championship Game.
2017 Season
Had 20 tackles, three tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, three quarterback pressures, a pass breakup and caused fumble in 133 snaps over 13 games. Had five tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss in 13 snaps against Kent State on Sept. 2. Had two tackles and a tackle for loss in 13 snaps against No. 13 Auburn on Sept. 9. Had a tackle and 0.5 sacks in 15 snaps at No. 14 Louisville on Sept. 16. Had a tackle for loss in 11 snaps at No. 12 Virginia Tech on Sept. 30. Had two special teams tackles and a caused fumble against Georgia Tech on Oct. 28; named team co-special teams player-of-the-game. Had three tackles and a pass breakup in 39 snaps against Florida State on Nov. 11. Had three tackles in 12 snaps against No. 7 Miami (Fla.) in the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 2; named team co-special teams player-of-the-game.
2016 Season
Shared defensive special teams player of the year honors with Tanner Muse. Produced 19 tackles in 20 snaps over 13 games. Matched Muse with a team-high 10 tackles on special teams. Had three tackles against SC State, including one on special teams. Named special teams player of the game at Georgia Tech after recovering a fumbled punt return. Had three tackles, including two on special teams, in win over No.
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High School Career
Army All-American Bowl. No. 56 player and No. 6 linebacker in the nation and No. 2 player in Virginia by Rivals.com. No. 179 player and No. 14 linebacker in the nation and No. 9 player in Virginia by 247Sports.com. Top-300 player and No. 19 linebacker in the nation and No. 10 player in Virginia by ESPN. Participated in The Opening, where he was rated as the No. 3 athlete after competition with the other 161 players. Played linebacker, safety, tight end and wide receiver. Had 90 tackles (15 for loss) as a senior. Had 118 yards on 19 carries, 24 receptions for 44 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior. Had 72 tackles (13 for loss), six sacks, five interceptions and three blocked field goals as a junior. Added 757 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Two-time all-state, all-region and all-conference selection. Coached by Karl Buckwalter. Recruited by Brent Venables.
Personal Life
Graduated in August 2018 with a degree in sports communication and added a Master’s in communication, technology and society in December 2019. Three-time ACC Honor Roll selection. Completed microinternships with RaceTrac in 2018 and G.E. in 2019. Comes from a family with extensive military ties and was selected to run the American flag down the hill for Clemson prior to its 2019 Military Appreciation Day game. Born April 16, 1996.
Chad Smith joined Georgia Tech football’s strength and conditioning staff as an assistant coach in 2022.
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