Career
Smith was an all-state linebacker at Jeffersontown High School. He was a University of Kentucky letterman from 1978-1980 as a linebacker under coach Fran Curci. Smith was second on the team in tackles as a senior and third as a junior.
Smith"s coaching career began as an assistant coach at Mercer County High School from 1983-1986.
His first head coaching position was in 1987 at Allen County Scottsville High School, where he took over a losing program and posted a winning season in his only year at the school. He took over another struggling team at Campbellsville High School (1988-1991) and orchestrated a turnaround, eventually guiding the team to a state playoff berth in his final season at the school.
He left Campbellsville in 1992. At Boyle County High School, he compiled a 142-33 record in 13 seasons.
After reclassification changed Boyle County to Class American Automobile Association in 2001, the team still produced an undefeated 15-0 season.
Smith"s 2004 squad went 12-3, with a loss in the state finals ending the state-record streaks of five consecutive championships and 29 straight playoff victories. Smith then became linebackers coach at the University of Kentucky from 2005 to 2012 and was also recruiting coordinator from 2009 to 2012. In 2014, he returned to coach at Boyle County High School in Danville, Kentucky.