Jameel Smith joined the FMU family as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator in July of 2022, before being promoted to co-defensive coordinator as well as head flag football coach in May of 2023.
Smith served a season as cornerbacks coach and defensive passing game coordinator at Ave Maria University (2021-2022), transitioning to full secondary duties at the conclusion of the 2021 season. During his time as cornerbacks coach his starting corners combined; allowed only 11 catches in man coverage.
Smith is a Miami native, who attended Youngstown State University. During his playing experience, Smith was a four-year starter for the Penguins earning defensive captain and all-conference accolades. He was a key contributor to the rebirth of the YSU national championship run in 2017; as they faced JMU in the National Championship.
Two years after graduating from Youngstown State, Smith started his coaching career as the defensive backs coach at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma. Within his first season as the defensive backs coach Smith was able to improve the team's pass defense from second to last, prior to his arrival; finishing number one in pass defense, while also completing the season as SWJCFC Champions (2017).
Smith would return home to enter in his first year on the high school rankings. He was able to mentor and develop the top secondary units in Dade County, while at Miami Carol City. Doing so landed him the opportunity to become the defensive coordinator at Miami Norland, where he was able to develop an aggressive unit and win the tri-county championship. Smith was a two-way starter as a player at Miami Norland Senior High in his senior year. The Vikings finished the season with an undefeated record of 15-0 and a Florida High School state championship title in the 5-A division (2011).
