Jackson Smith joined the Averett University football program as the co-special teams coordinator and defensive line coach in May 2021.
Smith came to Averett following time at Division I Valparaiso University, where he was the defensive tackles coach from for one season from 2020-21 for the Crusaders, who compete at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Prior to his time at Valparaiso, he was on the staff for three seasons at his alma mater Emhurst College. He helped coach linebackers in 2017, then was a graduate assistant coach for defensive line in 2018 and then worked with outside linebackers and defensive ends in 2019. At Elmhurst, he was the position coach for two of the program's three all-conference selections.
Smith played four seasons at Division III Elmhurst from 2012-16 and served as a team captain during the 2016 season. The native of Arlington Heights, Illinois, earned his bachelor's degree from Elmhurst in May 2017.
