Abilene Christian is set to hire Jason Smith to its coaching staff, sources confirmed to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. Matt Zenitz first reported Smith’s addition to the Wildcats staff at 247Sports.com.

A native of Dallas, Smith will coach the tight ends at ACU after spending the last two years as a member of the coaching staff at North Texas. He served as an intern in 2022 before being named an offensive analyst last year.

Smith coaching the tight ends at ACU feels fitting, considering the former All-American offensive lineman arrived at Baylor as a tight end out of Dallas White High School. Smith made 38 starts during his collegiate career, including 11 at tight end, and was the first non-special teams player to earn All-American honors for the Bears since 1995.

Following his standout collegiate career, Smith set more history by being the highest offensive lineman in Big 12 Conference history to be selected in the NFL Draft when the St. Louis Rams chose Smith with the second overall pick in 2009. During his five-year NFL career, he spent time with the Rams, New York Jets, and New Orleans Saints.