Brian L. Smith

Biography

BRIAN L. SMITH Hometown Wilmington, De. College UMass '01 Coaching Experience Year School, Position 2025- Temple, Defensive Coord. / SAFs 2018-24 Rice, Defensive Coord. 2016-17 Michigan, Defensive Backs 2015 Philadelphia Eagles, Asst. Linebackers 2013-14 New York Jets, Asst. Defensive Backs 2007-12 New York Jets, Quality Control 2005-06 UMass, Wide Receivers 2004 UMass, Outside Linebackers Brian L. Smith was named Temple’s defensive coordinator in 2025 as part of K.C. Keeler’s initial Owls’ staff. He comes to Philadelphia after spending the past seven seasons leading Rice’s defense. During his time at Rice he coached both the safeties (2018-20, 23-24) and linebackers (2021-22). Smith’s 2024 defense returned nine starters from a 2023 unit that held opponents to 28.1 points and 364.7 yards per game, the lowest totals since 2013 (24.4/364.1) and put together an even more impressive effort in 2024. He was nominated for the Broyles Award in 2024 after his defense finished the regular season ranked ninth in passing defense, holding opponents to 173.8 yards per game - the lowest at Rice since 1986 - and a 55.4 completion percentage (lowest since 2013). Rice ranked 36th in total defense, it’s best ranking since 2013 (30th) and held opponents to an average of 5.04 yards per play, the lowest since 1975 (5.03). The Owls’ defense held opponents to 334.4 yards per game, the lowest since they allowed 313.7 in 1994 and to 4.09 yards per carry, their lowest since 2002 (3.77) while the scorin