Mark Smith is in his third year with Michigan football, mentoring the inside linebackers. He has nine 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.
Smith's unit produced the top three tackles leaders in 2012, led by Jake Ryan's 88 tackles, 16.0 for loss, 4.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Kenny Demens had 82 tackles, including six tackles for loss, while Desmond Morgan had 81 stops, 5.5 for loss. The linebacking corps helped U-M limit opponents to 19.8 points per game, fourth in the Big Ten and 20th nationally, and 320.0 total yards per game, second in the conference and 13th in the country.
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-present
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 / 56 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 (7) / Michigan: 2012 Outback Bowl, 2012 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); 2012: Jake Ryan (All-Big Ten second team); 2010: Miles Burris (All-MWC first team).
