Northwestern hires former ACC assistant as cornerbacks coach

Northwestern has made an addition to its coaching staff. According to Yahoo’s Pete Thamel, Northwestern is hiring Virginia Tech assistant Ryan Smith as the Wildcats’ new cornerbacks coach.

“Sources: Northwestern has agreed to hire Ryan Smith as the school’s cornerbacks coach,” Thamel tweeted. “Smith spent the last two years at Virginia Tech as the pass game coordinator and has been at JMU, Elon and GA’d at Penn State.”

Smith joined Virginia Tech’s staff under then head coach Justin Fuente in January of 2020. There, Smith served as the Hokies’ cornerbacks coach and defensive passing game coordinator.

Previously in his coaching career, Smith spent two years as a graduate assistant at Penn State, two years as defensive backs coach for Elon, and one season as safeties coach and pro scout liaison at James Madison.

Smith, now at Northwestern, could be a quick riser in coaching circles

Smith played college football at William & Mary under head coach Jimmye Laycock, who coached there from 1980 to 2018. Laycock has coached a number of players that have become prominent head coaches. That list includes current Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and current Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott.

Smith comes to Northwestern after the Wildcats went 3-9 this season, including a 1-8 record against the Big Ten. Northwestern allowed 29 points (third worst in Big Ten), 213 rushing yards (worst), 216.5 passing yards (seventh worst), and 429.5 total yards per game (second worst) this season. The Wildcats are hoping that Smith can help turn around a defense that needs significant improvement.

With Smith on staff this season, Virginia Tech allowed 219.5 passing yards per game, which ranked in the upper third of the ACC. The Hokies also allowed 22.9 points (fourth best in the ACC) and 385.3 total yards per game, which was in the middle of the pack. Virginia Tech went 6-6, finishing third in the ACC Coastal.