Career
He is known for his playing career at the University of Alberta, where he is described as "one of the most outstanding running backs in the history of football". Smarsh played for the Alberta s football team as a running back from 1972 to 1976. Smarsh was also captain of the s football team for four seasons, and set many CIAU records.
He graduated from the university with a Bachelor of Education degree.
He retired around 2007 from teaching. Smarsh has also served as offensive coordinator of the s (1985), and as a coach of the Edmonton Wildcats.
In 2001, he was inducted into the University of Alberta"s Sports Wall of Fame. Smarsh was named head coach of the Edmonton Huskies in November 2007.
He would serve in that capacity until his firing in September 2009.