Kenan Smith was named wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator at Tennessee State in May of 2021.
Smith comes to TSU after two seasons as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Southern Utah. Smith worked with a receiving corps which was a part of the 11th ranked passing offense in the FCS averaging 294.2 yards per game. Landon Measom was selected Second Team All-Big Sky Conference after catching 30 passes for 446 yards and five touchdowns in six games, while Brandon Schenks ranked fifth in the nation averaging 22.3 yards per reception.
As a recruiting coordinator with the Thunderbirds, Smith helped assemble the highest rated recruiting class in SUU history. Smith also had the task of calling plays during the team’s first contest, producing the second highest scoring output of the season with 33 points at Northern Arizona.
In 2018, Smith served an internship with the Miami Dolphins as a part of the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship Program.
Smith spent three years with the Los Angeles Rams, where he served in a number of positions from 2014-16. Smith spent time as the team’s assistant wide receivers coach, coaching the Kenny Britt, Tavon Austin and Brian Quick. He also worked as the team’s Interim tight ends coach, as well as an offensive assistant. During his time with the tight ends, Smith coached pro bowler Jared Cook and current TSU assistant coach Cory Harkey.
Prior to Los Angeles, Smith served as the wide receivers coach at Butler University. While with the Bulldogs, he mentored two First Team all-conference selections after both finished with over 1,000 yards receiving. In his final two seasons, Butler won back-to-back Pioneer Football League Championships in 2012 and 2013. The Bulldogs earned a spot in the 2013 NCAA FCS Playoffs, hosting Tennessee State in the first round.
Smith’s first experience in coaching came as a football operations intern at Ball State University during the summer of 2010. He gained his first on-field experience as a graduate assistant coach working with the receivers at Anderson University.
Before his coaching career, Smith spent three years working as an assistant director of marketing & promotions at the University of Michigan from 2006-09.
Smith was a two sport athlete at Sacramento State University, competing in football and track & field. On the gridiron, he was a three-year starter for the Hornets and was a 2003 All-Big Sky Conference selection, finishing in the top-10 in career receptions at SSU.
On the track, he was a team captain in 2002 and earned a Bronze Medal as part of the 4x400-meter relay team.
Smith earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Sacramento State in 2005, and is currently working on a Master’s Degree from Southern Utah University.
