Darrius G. Smith - Football Coach - University of Massachusetts Athletics

Season at Massachusetts: Third
Alma Mater: Frostburg State '95

Darrius G. Smith joined the UMass football program as the squad's running backs coach during the Spring of 2015. He came to Amherst following an eight-year stint in the same position at Villanova and more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience overall. In tandem with his role coaching up the running backs, Smith added the responsibility of offensive recruiting coordinator beginning in Feb., 2018.

Under Smith's tutelage, the UMass run offense improved upon its 2016 numbers during the most recent campaign. Led by junior Phil Steele All-Independent selection Marquis Young, Massachusetts averaged 135.3 rushing yards per game and posted 19 touchdowns on the ground. The 19 touchdowns ranked as the most in the program's history as an FBS team.

Stacked against one of the toughest schedules in the nation, the UMass run game averaged 99.5 yards per game in 2016. Young, a Phil Steele All-Independent Team selection, carried the load with 197 rushing attempts for 898 yards and four touchdowns.

In 2015, 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 during his tenure. Over 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.

Updated: Feb. 4, 2018

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