Jerome Smith finished his first year on the Valparaiso University football staff as the team’s running backs coach in 2018.

Smith came to Valpo after spending the last three seasons at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., where he coached running backs, defensive backs and served as the recruiting coordinator.

Smith coached at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn. in 2014, mentoring the team’s defensive backs. He has also coached at Walsh University, Marian University and worked in administrative quality control for the Indiana University football program.

Smith earned his Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Supervision from Purdue University in May 2009, then garnered a Master of Science in Sport Management from Indiana University in December 2010.

Smith, who was on staff as Marian won an NAIA national championship in 2012, has coached a wide variety of position groups and has recruiting contacts in various geographical areas.