| Mark Smith |
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 | Position:
Linebackers Coach
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Mark Smith is in his second year with Michigan football, mentoring the linebackers. He has eight years of defensive coordinator experience at the collegiate level, and has coached linebackers since 1988. Smith came to Ann Arbor after spending two years on Brady Hoke's San Diego State staff where he coached the linebackers, and six seasons as Hoke's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Ball State.
In 2011, Smith's unit helped the Wolverines to an 11-2 record and a Sugar Bowl victory. U-M's defense ranked second in the Big Ten and sixth in the FBS in scoring defense, surrendering only 17.4 points per game. The Wolverines defense also ranked third in the conference in rushing defense (131.7 yards per game), fourth in total yards per game (322.2) and fifth in passing defense (190.5 ypg). The linebackers also contributed to a conference best 29 turnovers forced and FBS-best 20 fumbles recovered.
In 2008, Ball State ranked 29th nationally in scoring defense, surrendering just over 20 points per game. Under his guidance, the Cardinals' defense also was 28th in tackles for loss, 38th in pass efficiency defense, 55th in pass defense and 69th in total defense.
Before moving to Muncie, Ind., Smith was an assistant coach at Indiana State for 15 years, including his last two years as a defensive coordinator in 2001 and '02. He helped coach six All-Americans, including NFL Draft pick Dan Brandenburg.
Smith began his coaching career at Defiance High School in Ohio, after graduating from Purdue in 1979. The Richmond, Ind., native also has a master's degree from Bowling Green (1983). He and his wife, Kim, have three children, Heather, Eric and Craig.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
| Year |
Team |
Position |
| 2011- |
Michigan |
Linebackers Coach |
| 2009-10 |
San Diego State |
Assistant Coach, Linebackers |
| 2003-08 |
Ball State |
Def. Coordinator/Linebackers |
| 2001-02 |
Indiana State |
Def. Coordinator/Def. Line/Special Teams/ILBs |
| 1988-00 |
Indiana State |
Defensive Line/Special Teams/Inside Linebackers |
| 1986-87 |
Rose Hulman (Ind.) (Div. III) |
Assistant Coach |
| 1982-85 |
Bowling Green |
Assistant Coach |
| 1979-81 |
Defiance HS (Ohio) |
Wide Receivers/Secondary |
ABOUT COACH SMITH
Age: 54
Date of Birth: Sept. 27, 1956
Hometown: Richmond, Ind.
High School: Richmond High School
College: Purdue (1979)
Graduate School: Bowling Green (1983)
Family: Wife Kim, sons Eric and Craig, daughter Heather
College Bowl Experience (6) / MICHIGAN: 2011 Sugar Bowl; SAN DIEGO STATE, 2010 Poinsiettia Bowl; BALL STATE, 2008 GMAC Bowl, 2007 International Bowl; BOWLING GREEN, 1982 California Bowl, 1985 California Bowl
All-Americans: 7 (Indiana State 6, Rose Hulman 1)
All-Conference Players: 23 (2 San Diego State, 3 Ball State, 14 Indiana State, 3 Rose Hulman, 1 Bowling Green); 2010: Miles Burris (All-MWC first team) ... 2009: Jerry Milling (All-MWC honorable mention)
