Air Academy hires a new football coach
Smith has 19 years of coaching experience at both college and high school levels including four years as a high school athletic director. His accomplishments include winning two state championships at Palm Bay HS (Palm Bay, FL) in 2000 and 2002 where he served as assistant head coach. Most recently, Smith has helped take Viera High School (Melbourne, FL) from a losing record to regional champions and the school’s first-ever final four appearance. Last fall, the team was the 2015 runner up to the 7A Florida state champions.
A two-time college All-American defensive lineman, Smith played Division II football at Chowan University where he was hired as defensive line coach during his final year of eligibility. Smith’s experience as a player has shaped his style as a coach – emphasizing smart play and physical and mental development of athletes. As a head coach, he led Bayside HS (Palm Bay, FL) to its first playoff appearance and district championship in 12 years winning back-to-back district and regional championships from 2008-10. In 2009, Smith was named Central Florida All-Star Head Coach and was awarded Teacher of the Year (Bayside HS). His classroom experience includes secondary science, physical education, and health science.
In addition to coaching football, Smith has held coaching positions in wrestling, track, baseball as well as girls soccer where he served as the assistant coach of the girls’ soccer 2015 and 2016 Florida state champion team.
