Allen Smith returned to Wofford as the defensive line coach in January of 2018 after one season at VMI. He is also the recruiting coordinator for the defense. He recruits in the midlands of South Carolina, areas west of Atlanta, Georgia, along with Maryland, District of Columbia and northern Virginia.
Last season the rushing defense and red zone defense were first in the Southern Conference. The total defense was ranked 20th in the nation and led the conference. Freshman Michael Mason led the team with 10.5 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks to earned All-Southern Conference second team and All-Freshman Team honors. The team secured the Southern Conference Championship for the third straight season and played in the NCAA FCS Playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
During the 2018 season, the rushing defense was first in the Southern Conference and ninth in the nation with 104.0 yards per game allowed. The total defense was first in the league and 12th in the nation. Miles Brown led the defensive line with 46 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks as he earned first team All-Southern Conference honors and was named a third team All-American. Mikel Horton added second team All-Southern Conference honors. Overall the team was 9-4 on the season and won the Southern Conference Championship. The Terriers advanced to the second round of the NCAA FCS Playoffs.
In 2017 as the defensive line coach at VMI, the Keydets had 20 sacks, which was fifth in the SoCon, and 69 tackles for loss. He spent the 2016 season at Duke University serving as a football operations assistant working primarily with the Blue Devil defense. During the 2015 season he was as a graduate assistant coach at Appalachian State, helping the Mountaineers to an 11-2 record and Raycom Media Camellia Bowl championship with a 31-28 victory over Ohio. Appalachian State became the first team to win a bowl game in its first season as a full-fledged member of Division I-A/FBS.
Smith arrived at Appalachian State after serving the 2014 season as an assistant coach at Calhoun County High School in St. Matthews, S.C. In his lone campaign at Calhoun County, he served as special teams coordinator and coached the Saints’ outside linebackers, halfbacks and tight ends and helped lead the squad to a 7-3 record.
Smith was a four-year letterwinner as a defensive end at Wofford from 2009-12. He helped the Terriers to a share of Southern Conference championships in 2010 and 2012, along with three NCAA Division I FCS playoff appearances.
After redshirting as a freshman at Wofford, he played in eight games during the 2009 season. He added eight games, along with one start, in 2010. As a junior he played in all twelve games and during his senior season played in seven games.
He was a three-year letterman at defensive end at Keenan High School. He set a single-season record at Keenan as a senior with 92 tackles and added 11 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, nine blocked kicks and three forced fumbles. He was named an all-area selection along with North/South All-Star honors and named the Region 4-AA and The State Defensive Player of the Year.
A native of Columbia, S.C., Smith graduated from Wofford in 2012 with a degree in business economics. He and his wife, Joy, were married in May of 2019. Joy is currently an assistant coach for the Clemson University women’s basketball team. They have a daughter, Harleigh Ann.
