Michael Smith joined the Eastern Washington football in April of 2026 to coach the defensive line.
Smith brings 10 years of collegiate coaching experience to Cheney, working at both the FCS and FBS levels.
Most recently, Smith spent four seasons at Texas A&M-Commerce (2022-25) as the defensive line coach and assistant head coach. Smith’s responsibilities included helping design the defensive game plan covering run-game defense, pass-rush, and pressure-package adjustments. He helped develop and implement an opponent-blocking scheme identification system.
While at Commerce, Smith coached two first-team All-Southland Conference players on the defensive line in Levi Drake and Celestin Haba. Both players entered the professional ranks as Drake was drafted in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and Heba plays for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL.
Assisting with the Lions’ special teams, Smith installed the unit’s field goal blocking unit. Smith also served as the team’s recruiting coordinator during his tenure.
Before working at Texas A&M-Commerce, Smith coached the defensive line at Black Hills State University (2020-22), also serving as the team’s special teams coordinator. Smith carried similar responsibilities at Black Hills State that he would take with him to Commerce. While on staff, Smith coached two All-RMAC Honorable mentions on the defensive line in Morgan Tigner and Jarrell Ganaway. He also coached first-team All-RMAC punter Jacob Parks.
During the 2019 season, Smith was a member of the University of Texas staff as the defensive quality control analyst.
Smith started his collegiate coaching career at Dordt College as the defensive line graduate assistant. He then moved to the University of New Mexico and spent two seasons (2017-18) as a graduate assistant in Albuquerque.
A collegiate athlete himself, Smith played at Rice University from 2008 to 2012. He helped the Owls to their first bowl win in 54 years, defeating Western Michigan in the ‘08 season.
Smith graduated from Rice in ‘12, double-majoring in Sports Medicine and Psychology. He then earned his master’s degree in Sports Administration from New Mexico.
