SAN ANGELO, Texas — San Angelo Independent School District and Central High School has a new athletic coordinator for Bobcat Athletics and head football coach - Mark Smith was announced Friday morning at a press conference.
The SAISD said Smith has more than 24 years of experience coaching both high school and college football, and most recently served as the defensive analyst for the University of Oklahoma.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Smith and his family back to West Texas and more importantly to the San Angelo community,” Executive Director of Athletics Coach, Rodney Chant, said. “Coach Smith has a passion and desire to build our athletes into not only winners on the field, and in the classroom, but more importantly preparing them to be successful in life.”
Smith grew up and attended college in Abilene.
During his coaching tenure, he has made stops at high schools and universities such as 5A Colleyville Heritage High School, 6A MacArthur High School, 6A L.D. Bell High School, University of Oklahoma, Southern Methodist University, University of Arkansas, Long Island University and University of Colorado.
Smith’s philosophy is “comprehensive student-athlete success” focused on building students who are successful on and off the field. “I believe we can achieve an ‘AND’ scenario when it comes to comprehensive student athlete success. Receiving a world class education AND compete in a competitive championship football program AND be engaged in a supportive greater community AND having the opportunity to grow personally. We will create this atmosphere where ‘AND’ is the conjunction in our vocabulary for comprehensive student athlete success and not ‘OR.’”
While on and off the field, Smith’s coaching style is more than just building solid athletes. He also believes in building leadership and life skills including positive attitudes, genuine kindness and showing respect to gain respect. Smith takes a nurturing approach to teaching and adapts to each student’s learning style while also engaging players and encouraging them to take ownership.
He holds a Masters in educational leadership and policy studies from University of Texas at Arlington and a Bachelor of Behavioral Science from Hardin-Simmons University. His many successes and accolades include past-president of the Dallas-Fort Worth High School Coaches Association and election to the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) Board of Directors.
San Angelo ISD worked with Dr. Curtis Culwell, in the search to fill the CHS athletic coordinator/head football coach position. Culwell is a former superintendent in Lubbock and Garland and a longtime member of the University Scholastic League (UIL) Legislative Committee. SAISD and Culwell considered several noteworthy candidates before selecting Smith.
Bobcats football staff and players were informed of Smith’s selection in a team meeting Friday morning.
Smith and his wife, Michelle, have three children, 19-year-old Makenna, 15-year-old Micah and 6-year-old Mailey Kay.