Temple WR coach Smith leaves for Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio (12/22/11) – Zach Smith, who served as Temple University’s wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator this fall, has been named the wide receivers at The Ohio State University, head football coach Urban Meyer announced on Thursday.

 “I am very happy and supportive of Zach Smith's new opportunity at Ohio State,” Temple head coach Steve Addazio said. “He grew up in Columbus, and as the grandson of former Ohio State coach Earle Bruce, he is a lifelong Buckeye fan. I thank Zach for his contributions to Temple Football this year and wish Zach and his family all the best.”

In 2011, Smith’s special teams’ units were a huge factor for the Owls during their 9-4 run and win over Wyoming in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. Junior PK?Brandon McManus earned All-MAC honors at punter following his first season handling punting.  McManus was also a perfect 54-of-54 in extra points. Junior RB?Matt?Brown, also an All-MAC?honoree, was the Owls’ top punt and kickoff returner.  He tied the school record with 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the win over Kent State.

“Zach has done a terrific job as wide receivers coach at both Marshall and this past year at Temple,” Meyer said. “I am really looking forward to having the opportunity to work with him again. Ohio State is going to benefit from his coaching and his abilities as a recruiter.”

Smith served as the wide receivers and special teams coach at Marshall University during the 2010 season.

Prior to joining the Thundering Herd, Smith spent five years at the University of Florida, working with Meyer. He served as an offensive and special teams graduate assistant for the Gators from 2007 to 2009. He also worked as an offensive and special teams quality control assistant and in recruiting evaluation for UF from 2006 to 2007.

During his time in Gainesville, Florida won two national championships (2006 and 2008) and produced some of the most prolific offenses, not only the Southeastern Conference but in the nation, in terms of scoring offense, yardage per game, and passing efficiency. The Gators also produced some of the top punt team and punt return units in the nation over this period. Florida blocked an impressive 22 kicks since 2006 - the most in college football over that span.

Smith’s duties at Florida included game planning and all opponent breakdowns and tendencies, working with wide receivers (2007-08) and quarterbacks (2008-09), assisting with special teams game plan input and all breakdowns (2005-07), evaluating prospective student-athletes, creating and designing a recruiting action plan, in addition to game prep tests and quality control.

A native of Dublin, Ohio, Smith earned a bachelor’s of science degree in sports management from Florida in 2007. He is the grandson of College Football Hall of Fame coach Earle Bruce. Smith is married to the former Courtney Carano. The couple has a son Cameron (1).