Smith was an assistant coach at Paducah Middle School from 2003 - 06 and an assistant coach at PTHS from 2007-14. PTHS football had three semi-state appearances and a 3A championship during this time.
Smith was named interim coach just prior to the 2018 football season after PTHS head coach Steve Duncan resigned due to health issues. As interim head coach, Smith led the Blue Tornado to 9-3 record, the most wins for the football program since 2011.
"Coach Smith has one of the sharpest minds of anyone I've spend time with and is very adept with the intricacies of both coaching and managing a football program," said PTHS athletic director Kris Durfee. "As head coach he will have a great opportunity to help not just our football program but also to help teach these players to be great young men who hold the highest values and principles."
In his remarks, Smith reflected on the value that football offers as a team sport and the educational purpose that it serves.
"I am extremely passionate about the sport of football because without football I wouldn't be standing here today." Smith said. "Football is the ultimate team sport. It teaches you how to reach toward a common goal with people who don't look like you, come from the same background as you, who might not share the same beliefs as you, but you're all working together to achieve one common goal. At the end of the day that's truthfully what education is all about. That's what football did for me and that's ultimately my goal for this program."
