• Vernon Smith Jr. joined the Northern Arizona Football coaching staff in March 2017 as the defensive secondary coach.
• Smith arrived at NAU after spending the prior two seasons as the cornerbacks coach at fellow Big Sky member Portland State. While with the Vikings, Smith helped coach Portland State to a second round appearance in the 2015 NCAA FCS Playoffs. During his time in Portland, Smith guided both of his starting cornerbacks to All-Big Sky honors his first year, following it up the next season with Xavier Coleman receiving All-Big Sky and Associated Press All-American honors in 2016.
• Prior to Portland State, Smith worked at College of the Redwoods in 2014 as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. Previously, he spent two seasons at Arizona Western and two seasons at Palomar College as a secondary coach. Smith got his coaching experience started as a graduate assistant at Central Washington in 2010.
• The San Diego native played college football at Montana and was the teammate of NAU defensive coordinator Andy Thompson. Smith was a three-time All-Big Sky Conference selection and a second-team All-American in 2002. He was a member of the Griz’ National Championship team in 2001. 
• Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Montana and a master’s degree in health and physical education from Central Washington University.

 

THE VERNON SMITH FILE

Defensive Secondary

College: Montana, 2004; Central Washington, 2010

Playing Experience: Montana, 2000-04

COACHING EXPERIENCE
2007, Southern Oregon
2008-10, Central Washington, Graduate Assistant
2010-12, Palomar College, Defensive Secondary
2012-13, Arizona Western, Defensive Secondary
2014, College of Redwoods, Wide Receivers
2015-17, Portland State, Cornerbacks
2017-Pres., Northern Arizona, Defensive Secondary