Berry College

    Zack Smith, was hired as an Berry’s defensive line coach in March of 2015. He also served as the special teams coordinator during the 2018 and 2019
seasons before being promoted to defensive coordinator in February of 2020.
    In the shortened 2020-21 season, Smith’s defense once again ranked as one of the top in the SAA, posting the league’s No. 1 passing defense. Smith also
helped the Vikings defense rise to one of the top units in all of NCAA
Division III.
    In 2019, the team ranked second in NCAA Division III with 4.27 sacks per game this year and was top-10 in defensive touchdowns. Smith’s defensive line was among the top fronts in NCAA Division III in 2016, ranking No. 3 in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (66.6). He also coached Mamadou Soumahoro to All-America honors (the first in program history) and an SAA Defensive Player of the Year honor. Berry also led the SAA with 32 sacks and 12 fumble recoveries.
    In his first year with the Vikings, Smith’s defensive line helped Berry
lead the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) in sacks (27), rushing
yards per game (116.9) and interceptions (15). He also coached three
All-SAA defensive lineman including Soumahoro.
    Smith spent eight years as a part of the Shorter University football
program as a player, a graduate assistant coach and as an assistant
coach.
    A native of Newnan, Ga., Smith coached the defensive line at Shorter
for two years after serving as the Hawks’ outside linebackers coach for
during 2010 and 2011.
    Smith began his college playing career at Presbyterian College
from 2002-04, where he was a two-year starter and was named the
Defensive Freshman of the Year.
    In 2006, Smith transferred to Shorter, but saw his time on the field
come to an end due to injury. He then transitioned to coaching as
a student assistant while completing his bachelor’s degree in public
relations. Smith served as a student assistant coach along the defensive
line, and later completed his master’s degree while a graduate assistant
coach.
    He lives in Rome with his wife Bethany Jo Smith, his eldest son Zackry
O’Neal, his daughter Ivy Bea and newborn son Braxton Charles.