Coaching Highlights
• Virginia native enters his second season with the Hokies in 2021. Added passing game coordinator to his responsibilities to his duties in 2021, in addition to serving as Tech’s cornerbacks coach.
• In September 2020 he was one of only two ACC staffers to be named to the 30 Under 30 list of rising college football stars compiled by 247Sports.
• Coaches a cornerbacks room at Tech that has historically sent talented performers to the NFL, the latest of whom was CB Caleb Farley, who was selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.
• With Tech’s secondary quickly depleted of anticipated starters in 2020, CB Dorian Strong quickly rose to the occasion under Smith’s tutelage. Strong made rapid strides during the season and earned a spot on the True Freshman All-America Team of 247Sports.
• With defensive coordinator Justin Hamilton unavailable for Tech’s 2020 season opener due to COVID-19 protocols, Smith assumed the defensive signal caller duties the morning of the game and helped lead the Hokies to a 45-24 win vs. NC State (9/26/20).
• Smith arrived in Blacksburg after coaching the safeties for a James Madison squad that earned a berth in the 2019 FCS National Championship Game.
• James Madison finished the 2019 season with a 14-2 record and boasted one of the nation’s stingiest defenses at the FCS level last season. The Dukes’ only losses came by a 20-13 margin at West Virginia (8/31) and in the FCS Championship Game vs. eight-time FCS title winners, North Dakota State.
• JMU ranked first in total defense (264.7 ypg), second in third-down percentage (29.0) and third in scoring defense (14.9 ppg).
• James Madison also tied for seventh in the nation with 17 interceptions, 13 of which came from Smith’s safeties unit in 2019.
• “We’re excited to add another talented coach to our staff in Ryan Smith,” head coach Justin Fuente said. “As a collegiate player he was groomed for a future in our profession by head coach Jimmye Laycock at William & Mary. He played the cornerback position for Coach Laycock and he was born and raised in Virginia. Ryan has grown at each stop of his coaching career and he’s earned the opportunity to join us at Virginia Tech. He’ll be a good fit with Coach Hamilton and the rest of our defensive staff.”
• Smith is among a long lineage of current coaches who played under Laycock at William & Mary, a distinguished group that includes current NFL head coaches Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh) and Sean McDermott (Buffalo).
• “I’m honored to accept this opportunity to coach at a place like Virginia Tech,” Smith said. “I grew up admiring the Hokies playing hard-hitting defense and being opportunistic on special teams. To have an opportunity to help carry on that tradition under Coach Fuente is truly a blessing. I can’t wait to be on the sideline at Lane Stadium and feel the passion of the fans as Hokie Nation starts jumping.”
• Smith spent the 2017-18 seasons coaching the secondary at Elon University, where Greg Liggs, Jr. earned second-team All-CAA status. Former Army running back Tyler Campbell switched to defensive back and was a third-team All-CAA selection at Elon in 2018.
• Campbell, Liggs and Connor Christiansen were three of the league’s best defensive backs in 2018. Liggs and Christiansen tied for third in the CAA with four interceptions apiece in 2018. Liggs was also third in passes defended (13) and tied for fourth in fumble recoveries (two). Christiansen began his career at Elon as a quarterback in 2015-16.
• DB Chris Blair earned third-team All-CAA accolades under Smith’s tutelage in 2017.
• Worked two seasons at Penn State, serving as a defensive graduate assistant where he was part of a 2016 squad that won the Big Ten Championship, earned a berth in the Rose Bowl and finished 11-3 overall.
• Penn State’s defense picked off 10 passes and broke up 60 more in 2015.
• Helped develop four Penn State players who earned NFL contracts: S Jordan Lucas, S Marcus Allen, CB Trevor Williams and S Troy Apke.
• Earned his bachelor’s degree in process management from the College of William and Mary and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Penn State University
• Smith’s mother, Penelope, served as a Senior Chief in the U.S. Navy. He traveled the world with his mother as a youth when her duty stations included stops in Virginia, Maryland, California, Florida, Iceland, Panama and Guam.
Prominent Pupils
CB DORIAN STRONG
Virginia Tech True Freshman All-America selection of 247Sports in 2020.
S MARCUS ALLEN D5-2018 – Pittsburgh
Penn State Third-Team All-Big Ten pick in 2016 and an honorable mention selection following the 2015 season.
S TROY APKE D4-2018 – Washington
Penn State Has played in 17 NFL games with Redskins (2018-19).
S JORDAN LUCAS D6-2016 – Miami
Penn State Earned a Super Bowl LIV ring with KC in 2019. Has played in 49 NFL games with Dolphins (2016-17) and Chiefs (2018-19).
CB TREVOR WILLIAMS FA-2016 – San Diego
Penn State Has played in 39 NFL games (27 starts) with Chargers (2016-18) & Cardinals (2019).
S ADAM SMITH
James Madison Third-team AP All-America honoree & a first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association pick in 2019. Led the FCS with 16 pass breakups & ranked fourth with six INTs.
S D’ANGELO AMOS
James Madison AFCA first-team All-America selection and a first-team CAA pick as both a safety and punt returner in 2019. Ranked second in FCS with three blocked kicks. Ranks second in JMU history with 1,259 career punt return yards.
DB GREG LIGGS, Jr.
Elon Second-team All-CAA selection in 2018 at Elon, helped the Phoenix to the FCS Playoffs. Posted a combined six INTs, 20 PDs, two FR and one FF in 2017-18.
DB TYLER CAMPBELL
Elon Third-team All-CAA selection at Elon in 2018, recorded five INTs, six PDs, three FRs and one FF in 2017-18.
DB CHRIS BLAIR
Elon Third-Team All-CAA pick had 88 total tackles, five INTs, 2.0 sacks, 18 PDs, four FRs and four FFs in 2017.
Playing Highlights
• Three-year letterman for head coach Jimmye Laycock at William & Mary.
• Part of a squad that made the semifinals of the FCS playoffs in 2010.
• As a senior cornerback, Smith tallied 47 tackles, one sack and one interception in 2013.
• Played in 22 career games for the Tribe and was a two-time CAA Academic All-Conference honoree.
• Played as both a defensive back and wide receiver at The Blue Ridge School.
• Served as a team captain during his senior season and was selected to the all-state second team as a wide receiver.
• Also captained his prep basketball and baseball squads, helping the basketball team to a state runner-up finish as a senior and a state semi-finals appearance as a junior.
• Virginia native enters his second season with the Hokies in 2021. Added passing game coordinator to his responsibilities to his duties in 2021, in addition to serving as Tech’s cornerbacks coach.
• In September 2020 he was one of only two ACC staffers to be named to the 30 Under 30 list of rising college football stars compiled by 247Sports.
• Coaches a cornerbacks room at Tech that has historically sent talented performers to the NFL, the latest of whom was CB Caleb Farley, who was selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.
• With Tech’s secondary quickly depleted of anticipated starters in 2020, CB Dorian Strong quickly rose to the occasion under Smith’s tutelage. Strong made rapid strides during the season and earned a spot on the True Freshman All-America Team of 247Sports.
• With defensive coordinator Justin Hamilton unavailable for Tech’s 2020 season opener due to COVID-19 protocols, Smith assumed the defensive signal caller duties the morning of the game and helped lead the Hokies to a 45-24 win vs. NC State (9/26/20).
• Smith arrived in Blacksburg after coaching the safeties for a James Madison squad that earned a berth in the 2019 FCS National Championship Game.
• James Madison finished the 2019 season with a 14-2 record and boasted one of the nation’s stingiest defenses at the FCS level last season. The Dukes’ only losses came by a 20-13 margin at West Virginia (8/31) and in the FCS Championship Game vs. eight-time FCS title winners, North Dakota State.
• JMU ranked first in total defense (264.7 ypg), second in third-down percentage (29.0) and third in scoring defense (14.9 ppg).
• James Madison also tied for seventh in the nation with 17 interceptions, 13 of which came from Smith’s safeties unit in 2019.
• “We’re excited to add another talented coach to our staff in Ryan Smith,” head coach Justin Fuente said. “As a collegiate player he was groomed for a future in our profession by head coach Jimmye Laycock at William & Mary. He played the cornerback position for Coach Laycock and he was born and raised in Virginia. Ryan has grown at each stop of his coaching career and he’s earned the opportunity to join us at Virginia Tech. He’ll be a good fit with Coach Hamilton and the rest of our defensive staff.”
• Smith is among a long lineage of current coaches who played under Laycock at William & Mary, a distinguished group that includes current NFL head coaches Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh) and Sean McDermott (Buffalo).
• “I’m honored to accept this opportunity to coach at a place like Virginia Tech,” Smith said. “I grew up admiring the Hokies playing hard-hitting defense and being opportunistic on special teams. To have an opportunity to help carry on that tradition under Coach Fuente is truly a blessing. I can’t wait to be on the sideline at Lane Stadium and feel the passion of the fans as Hokie Nation starts jumping.”
• Smith spent the 2017-18 seasons coaching the secondary at Elon University, where Greg Liggs, Jr. earned second-team All-CAA status. Former Army running back Tyler Campbell switched to defensive back and was a third-team All-CAA selection at Elon in 2018.
• Campbell, Liggs and Connor Christiansen were three of the league’s best defensive backs in 2018. Liggs and Christiansen tied for third in the CAA with four interceptions apiece in 2018. Liggs was also third in passes defended (13) and tied for fourth in fumble recoveries (two). Christiansen began his career at Elon as a quarterback in 2015-16.
• DB Chris Blair earned third-team All-CAA accolades under Smith’s tutelage in 2017.
• Worked two seasons at Penn State, serving as a defensive graduate assistant where he was part of a 2016 squad that won the Big Ten Championship, earned a berth in the Rose Bowl and finished 11-3 overall.
• Penn State’s defense picked off 10 passes and broke up 60 more in 2015.
• Helped develop four Penn State players who earned NFL contracts: S Jordan Lucas, S Marcus Allen, CB Trevor Williams and S Troy Apke.
• Earned his bachelor’s degree in process management from the College of William and Mary and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Penn State University
• Smith’s mother, Penelope, served as a Senior Chief in the U.S. Navy. He traveled the world with his mother as a youth when her duty stations included stops in Virginia, Maryland, California, Florida, Iceland, Panama and Guam.
Prominent Pupils
CB DORIAN STRONG
Virginia Tech True Freshman All-America selection of 247Sports in 2020.
S MARCUS ALLEN D5-2018 – Pittsburgh
Penn State Third-Team All-Big Ten pick in 2016 and an honorable mention selection following the 2015 season.
S TROY APKE D4-2018 – Washington
Penn State Has played in 17 NFL games with Redskins (2018-19).
S JORDAN LUCAS D6-2016 – Miami
Penn State Earned a Super Bowl LIV ring with KC in 2019. Has played in 49 NFL games with Dolphins (2016-17) and Chiefs (2018-19).
CB TREVOR WILLIAMS FA-2016 – San Diego
Penn State Has played in 39 NFL games (27 starts) with Chargers (2016-18) & Cardinals (2019).
S ADAM SMITH
James Madison Third-team AP All-America honoree & a first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association pick in 2019. Led the FCS with 16 pass breakups & ranked fourth with six INTs.
S D’ANGELO AMOS
James Madison AFCA first-team All-America selection and a first-team CAA pick as both a safety and punt returner in 2019. Ranked second in FCS with three blocked kicks. Ranks second in JMU history with 1,259 career punt return yards.
DB GREG LIGGS, Jr.
Elon Second-team All-CAA selection in 2018 at Elon, helped the Phoenix to the FCS Playoffs. Posted a combined six INTs, 20 PDs, two FR and one FF in 2017-18.
DB TYLER CAMPBELL
Elon Third-team All-CAA selection at Elon in 2018, recorded five INTs, six PDs, three FRs and one FF in 2017-18.
DB CHRIS BLAIR
Elon Third-Team All-CAA pick had 88 total tackles, five INTs, 2.0 sacks, 18 PDs, four FRs and four FFs in 2017.
Playing Highlights
• Three-year letterman for head coach Jimmye Laycock at William & Mary.
• Part of a squad that made the semifinals of the FCS playoffs in 2010.
• As a senior cornerback, Smith tallied 47 tackles, one sack and one interception in 2013.
• Played in 22 career games for the Tribe and was a two-time CAA Academic All-Conference honoree.
• Played as both a defensive back and wide receiver at The Blue Ridge School.
• Served as a team captain during his senior season and was selected to the all-state second team as a wide receiver.
• Also captained his prep basketball and baseball squads, helping the basketball team to a state runner-up finish as a senior and a state semi-finals appearance as a junior.