Last Updated: Feb. 14, 2025
Twitter: @DLO614
De'Angelo Smith joined Ohio's coaching staff in 2017 as the cornerbacks coach. Since then, Smith has added director of player development to his title and in 2024, he assumed the responsibility of the passing game coordinator.
The 2024 season capped off another historic season for the Bobcats, marking the program's first 11-win season, sixth consecutive bowl victory and their first Mid-American Conference Championship win since 1968. In the MAC Championship against Miami (Ohio), Hauser's defense held the RedHawks to just three points, marking the first time a team hasn't scored a touchdown in the MAC Championship as well as the largest margin of victory (38-3).
The 2023 defense played a crucial role in the team's 10-win season, finishing the season No. 1 in the Mid-American Conference and No. 4 in FBS football. Notably, the defense held Power 5 opponent to only seven points (Sept. 16), Western Michigan (Oct. 21) to their lowest number of rushing yards in the season (79) and set the program record for the most turnovers forced in a bowl game (5) at the 2023 Myrtle Beach Bowl.
In 2022, the defense aided the Bobcats in their fourth 10-win season in program history, highlighted by an undefeated record on Frank Solich Field and an overtime victory in the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl. The Bobcats' defense finished second in the MAC in points allowed per game (21.1), less than a quarter of a point behind the leader, and won seven of their eight conference games. Under Smith's guidance, redshirt freshman cornerback Torrie Cox Jr. earned College Football News Freshman All-American Team Third Team accolades. Cox. Jr. started in 12 games in 2022, making 13 appearances. Notably, he recorded three interceptions on the season, two of which he snagged in the Bobcats' 33-14 victory over Western Michigan (Oct. 15, 2022).
In 2021, Smith coached Tariq Drake to a third-team All-MAC selections.
n his first two years at Ohio, the Bobcats won 18 games -- including back-to-back bowl wins. After rolling to a 41-6 victory over UAB in the 2017 Bahamas Bowl, Ohio became the first Mid-American Conference team to post a shutout in a bowl win, blanking San Diego State, 27-0, in the 2018 DXL Frisco Bowl.
The 2018 season saw the continued development of a young cornerbacks room, with sophomore Marlin Brooks logging 41 total tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception and sophomore Jamal Hudson finishing right behind Brooks with 39 total tackles, tallying one interception and leading the team with 13 passes defensed and 12 pass breakups. The cornerbacks helpd Ohio lead both NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Mid-American Conference with 32 turnovers gained.
In his first year on the Ohio staff in 2017, redshirt senior cornerback Bradd Ellis garnered All-MAC Third Team honors after ranking fifth on the team with 59 total tackles, picking off two passes and tallying one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
A former NFL defensive back, Smith joined Ohio following three years working at Michigan State. He worked primarily with the defensive backs under Harlon Barnett, serving as a graduate assistant his final two years in East Lansing. In 2014, Smith served as an operations assistant for the Spartans.
Smith was a three-year letterwinner as both a cornerback and safety at Cincinnati (2006-08). As a senior in 2008, Smith was named the recipient of UC's Brig Owens Award (outstanding back) after tallying 53 tackles, 10 pass break-ups and a pair of interceptions in helping the Bearcats win the Big East Championship and land a berth in the Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech. As a junior in 2007, Smith earned second-team All-BIG EAST honors and set a Bearcat single-season record with eight interceptions, which also tied for most in the NCAA FBS.
Smith was selected in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft (No. 143 overall) by the Dallas Cowboys. He played in seven games during the 2009 NFL season for the Detroit Lions, recording 16 tackles.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Smith earned first-team all-state honors as a senior while playing for Independence High School. He graduated from Cincinnati in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and earned a master's degree in education at Michigan State. He and his wife, Nicole, have one son, De'Angelo Jr.
