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University of Massachusets Athletics
Football
Darrius G. Smith
- Title:
- Asst. Coach/Running Backs
- Email:
- darriussmith@umass.edu
- Phone:
- 545-2026
Season at Massachusetts: Second
Alma Mater: Frostburg State, 1995
Darrius Smith joined the UMass football program as the squad's running backs coach during spring 2015. He comes to Amherst following an eight-year stint in the same position at Villanova and more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience overall.
In 2015, Marquis Young burst onto the national scene in his freshman campaign. He ranked 23rd in FBS with his 6.3 yards per rush and second among freshmen running backs. He had the most rushing yards in a single game among all MAC running backs (240 vs. Buffalo) and one of only two 200-yard games in the league.
Smith turned the Wildcats’ running game into one of the best in the Colonial Athletic Association. In five different seasons (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014), he spearheaded the program to rushing offenses that led the conference, highlighted by the 2012 campaign in which the team tallied 252.8 yards per game. During this period, Smith also guided several players to All-CAA honors and 1,000-yard seasons.
While at Villanova, Smith and the Wildcats won the 2009 FCS National Championship, reached the NCAA playoffs four times and won the CAA twice. The 2009 championship season saw Villanova post a 14-1 overall record with a 240.3 rushing yards per game.
The 1995 graduate of Frostburg State University also made stops in collegiate coaching capacities at Northeastern (2004-06), James Madison (2002-04), Idaho (2001-02), Indiana (Pa.) (2000-01) and New Mexico Highlands (1995-00).
Smith began his coaching career at Frostburg State as a student assistant after a career as a defensive back, during which he posted 12 interceptions in three years as a starter. Additionally, he received an NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the summer of 2005. He holds a bachelor's degree in health and physical education.
Alma Mater: Frostburg State, 1995
Darrius Smith joined the UMass football program as the squad's running backs coach during spring 2015. He comes to Amherst following an eight-year stint in the same position at Villanova and more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience overall.
In 2015, Marquis Young burst onto the national scene in his freshman campaign. He ranked 23rd in FBS with his 6.3 yards per rush and second among freshmen running backs. He had the most rushing yards in a single game among all MAC running backs (240 vs. Buffalo) and one of only two 200-yard games in the league.
Smith turned the Wildcats’ running game into one of the best in the Colonial Athletic Association. In five different seasons (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014), he spearheaded the program to rushing offenses that led the conference, highlighted by the 2012 campaign in which the team tallied 252.8 yards per game. During this period, Smith also guided several players to All-CAA honors and 1,000-yard seasons.
While at Villanova, Smith and the Wildcats won the 2009 FCS National Championship, reached the NCAA playoffs four times and won the CAA twice. The 2009 championship season saw Villanova post a 14-1 overall record with a 240.3 rushing yards per game.
The 1995 graduate of Frostburg State University also made stops in collegiate coaching capacities at Northeastern (2004-06), James Madison (2002-04), Idaho (2001-02), Indiana (Pa.) (2000-01) and New Mexico Highlands (1995-00).
Smith began his coaching career at Frostburg State as a student assistant after a career as a defensive back, during which he posted 12 interceptions in three years as a starter. Additionally, he received an NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the summer of 2005. He holds a bachelor's degree in health and physical education.
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