Trent Smart joined the Valpo Athletics staff in March 2021 as Associate Director of Sports Performance.

Smart serves as the strength & conditioning coach for the Valpo football and women’s basketball programs.

Smart arrives in Northwest Indiana after a stint at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La. that began in January 2020. There he served as an assistant strength & conditioning coach, collaborating with other coaches on designing a holistic offseason program for football student-athletes in addition to designing and implementing strength & conditioning programs for women’s soccer and tennis.

Before accepting his position at McNeese State, Smart served as a professional strength & conditioning intern at the University of Cincinnati from May 2019 to January 2020. He is a December 2017 graduate of Ohio University with a degree in management information systems. During his time in Athens, Ohio, he spent four years as a football student-athlete, playing defensive end. He was an elected member of Ohio’s Unity Council, a leadership group that mentored younger players.

A Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Smart has certifications from USA Weightlifting, the American Red Cross and Functional Range Conditioning. He completed his master’s degree from McNeese State in health and human performance in July 2021. Smart also earned SCCC certification through the Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA).

What They’re Saying About Coach Smart

Dak Notestine, Ohio University Director of Strength & Conditioning: “Trent is a smart, driven and gritty coach and person. What he sets his mind to, he will accomplish. Coach Smart will represent Valparaiso well and the student-athletes will reap the benefits of the knowledge and dedication that he will bring every day.”

Kyle Little, McNeese State Director of Strength & Conditioning: “Trent is a detail-oriented coach who brings energy and genuinely cares for his student-athletes. Valpo got an extremely intelligent coach who is going to make an immediate impact.”  

Zach Higgins, University of Cincinnati Associate Director of Sports Performance: “Trent is a tremendous human being with the capacity to lead student-athletes not only in the weight room, but in life. He is a passionate, enthusiastic person and is going to make a significant impact on those around him.”