Jim Smith enters his 24th season at IUP in 2023. This is Smith’s seventh season as the defensive coordinator, adding on to his duties as the linebackers coach and academic coordinator.
During his 23 seasons in Indiana, Smith has made himself into the most versatile coach on the staff, spending time on both sides of the ball and has coordinated the offense, defense and special teams.
From his coaching positions on offense, defensive and special teams, he’s helped IUP to a 195-62 (.758) overall record with 11 NCAA Division II playoff appearances, 10 PSAC West regular season titles, and three PSAC “State Game” championships.
Smith has coached 10 All-Americans, 23 all-region selections, and 71 combined All-PSAC West performers, which includes a defensive player of the year, offensive player of the year, and two defensive freshmen of the year.
IUP boasts arguably the best collection of linebackers during Smith’s tenure. He’s helped 23 total linebackers earn All-PSAC West honors in his 15 seasons coaching that position, including eight seasons of multiple selections.
Six different linebackers have earned multiple all-league honors, including Kris Griffin (2002, 2004), Carl Fleming (2012-13), Dorian Lane (2013, 2015), Kevin Clarke (2014-16), Damon Lloyd (2017-19) and Nick Amendola (2017-19).
Three of those linebackers were named All-Americans: Fleming in 2012, Clarke in 2016 and Lloyd in 2017 and 2019.
The IUP defense was stout once again in 2022, helping the program capture the PSAC Championship with a win against Shepherd.
The Crimson Hawks ranked fifth in the PSAC in scoring defense (19.8), 28th nationally in total defense (291.2), 25th nationally in red zone defense (.697) and 18th nationally in interceptions (15).
2019 marked another successful year for the defense under Smith's watch. The Crimson Hawks finished the year ranked 23rd in Division II in total defense, giving up just over 300 yards per game. IUP posted two shutouts and didn't allow a touchdown in two other games en route to a 10-2 record and the program's 19th NCAA playoff berth.
Smith helped IUP lead the PSAC and rank in the top-25 in the nation in four categories, including scoring defense (17.3, 14th), pass efficiency defense (105.9, 18th), sacks (35, 22nd) and total defense (302.6, 23rd).
Smith's defense boasted three All-Americans in senior linebacker Damon Lloyd, senior defensive end Dondrea Tillman, and junior corner Nazir Streater. Lloyd had one of the best seasons in IUP history, as he was named a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award, given annually to the best defensive player in small college football. Lloyd also earned PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year honors, was a unanimous first team All-Super Region One selection, and finished seventh in Division II with a career-high 122 total tackles. Lloyd wrapped up his career sixth in IUP history with 384 tackles and as a two-time All-American.
Smith helped IUP to one of the best seasons in program history in 2017 in his first year as the defensive coordinator. The Crimson Hawks went 13-1, won the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship, and advanced to the NCAA Division II semifinals for the first time since 1999.
IUP won the outright PSAC West regular season title as the only undefeated team in the division and defeated West Chester 24-7 on the road for the conference title. The Crimson Hawks earned the top seed in Super Region One in the NCAA playoffs, defeated West Chester (44-10) and Assumption (27-22) to win the region, and entered the national semifinals against West Florida as the top overall seed.
The 13 consecutive wins and 13-1 overall mark both tied IUP records. The Crimson Hawks finished the year ranked third in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Top 25, the highest season-ending ranking for IUP in in the current set up of the poll. They also reached the No. 1 ranking in the D2Football.com weekly poll in the final weeks heading into the postseason.
The Crimson Hawks went 4-0 against ranked teams, defeating (RV/18) Ashland 26-23, (16/16) California 26-10, (9/13) Slippery Rock 34-17, and (15/15) Assumption 27-22.
Smith’s defense ranked in the top 25 of seven categories, including interceptions (23, 4th), turnovers forced (31, 5th), rushing defense (89.9, 9th), pass efficiency defense (97.23, 10th), scoring defense (15.7, 13th), defensive touchdowns (4, 15th) and total defense (287.5, 18th).
Four of his defensive players earned All-American honors, including safety Max Redfield (AFCA, Hansen Gazette, D2Football), corner JR Stevens (AP, Hansen Gazette), defensive tackle Jemal Averette (Hansen Gazette) and linebacker Damon Lloyd (Hansen Gazette).
Those four players also helped make up the eight total defenders who earned All-PSAC West honors in 2017.
Redfield was a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award and Averette was nominated for the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year award.
Smith coached linebackers and was the special teams coordinator for the Crimson Hawks in 2012 when they won the PSAC title and advanced to the regional championship game.
Working under current head coach and then-defensive coordinator Paul Tortorella, Smith helped linebackers Alexander Berdahl and Carl Fleming earn All-PSAC West honors as the two combined for 191 tackles, including 21.5 TFLs and 8.0 sacks, and five interceptions.
The Crimson Hawks gave up just 257.9 yards and 12.5 points per game, recording three shutouts and holding opponents to 10 points or fewer four additional times. IUP gave up an average of 80.1 rushing yards per outing, holding opponents to less than 100 yards nine times during the season. Offenses managed just 2.6 yards per carry and scored nine touchdowns in 439 carries.
Smith was the passing game coordinator and coached quarterbacks from 2006-10 under head coach Lou Tepper. He developed a passing attack that put up some of the best numbers in recent IUP history.
Smith tutored Andrew Krewatch, who ended his time at IUP first in program history with 638 completions and second with 8,220 yards and 68 passing touchdowns. Krewatch still owns IUP’s single season record with 3,100 passing yards in 2007.
Under Smith’s direction, IUP averaged 38.5 points per game in 2007 and 2008, the second highest totals in program history and the most since 1990.
In his first year as the offensive coordinator in 2006, running back Chris Morgan earned PSAC West Player of the Year honors after rushing for 1,318 yards and 14 touchdowns. He averaged 131.8 yards per game and 6.9 yards per carry.
Smith’s first year on the IUP staff came in 1998 and after a year off, returned to the sideline in 2000 as the wide receivers coach. He coached the running backs and aided in the team’s passing game in 2001 before moving over to be the linebackers coach from 2002-05.
Smith was a three-year letterman (1994-96) at wide receiver for IUP. He played in 18 games and caught 20 passes for 229 yards.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from IUP in 1998. Smith and his wife, Lori, are the parents of Trevor and Myla.
Updated July 7, 2023
