The Philadelphia Eagles announced they have hired Brian Smith as assistant linebackers coach.
The 35-year-old Smith spent the past eight seasons as an assistant coach with the New York Jets, including the past two years as the team's assistant defensive backs coach. He joined the Jets in 2007 as a quality control coach on offense.
Prior to joining the Jets, Smith was an assistant coach at his alma mater – the University of Massachusetts – from 2004-06. In 2004, he worked with the school's linebackers and from 2005-06, he coached the wide receivers, including current New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz.
A native of Wilmington, DE, Smith was a three-year starter at UMass as a strong safety and cornerback. He graduated cum laude in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in accounting.
Smith joins defensive backs coach Cory Undlin, quarterbacks coach Ryan Day and defensive quality control coach Stephen Thomas as new members of the Eagles coaching staff, while tight ends coach Justin Peelle, assistant defensive backs coach Matthew Harper and assistant special teams coach Michael Clay are all coaching in new capacities.
