Taurean Smith joined the Kentucky Wesleyan College football program as the Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator during the summer of 2014. He will also serve as the head recruiting coordinator for the Panthers.
In his first season in 2014, Smith helped turn a winless program a year prior to a program-record 7-4 mark. He improved the defense in nearly every statistical category, en route to the programs’ first winning season in 15 years.
At his previous stop at Cumberland University (TN), Smith served as the Linebackers and Special Teams coach as well as Co-Recruiting Coordinator. During the 2012-13 seasons, his teams had the #1 list of NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athletes (3.5 GPA or better) in the country. He helped guide the Phoenix to a 15-7 record in his two years, with back-to-back seasons ranked in the NAIA Top-25.
Smith’s linebacker trio ranked first, third and fifth in tackles for the Bulldogs in 2013, accumulating 16.0 tackles for loss with one sack, one interception and three interceptions. Connor McChurch earned Second Team All-Mid-South Conference honors for the year. He also coached Nathan Jernigan, who garnered Mid-South Conference West Division Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honors. Cumberland posted a 7-4 mark and ranked #23 in the final NAIA poll.
In 2012, the tandem ranked first, third and fourth in tackles with four interceptions, 11 tackles for loss, six pass breakups and 10 quarterback hurries. The group also forced five fumbles while Nathan Jernigan garnered Second Team All-MSC accolades and was also named MSC Freshman of the Year. The team completed the season with an 8-3 record and finished #19 in the final national rankings.
Smith coached one season as a graduate assistant at NAIA-school Bethel University (TN), working with linebackers. One of his players, Stayce Whipple, garnered First-Team All-Mid-South Conference accolades in 2011. He was in charge of breaking down opponent film and drawing scouting cards for the Wildcats. He lead the linebacker unit, which helped the team post an 8-3 overall record, a berth in the NAIA Playoffs, a Mid-South West Division Title and a #16 national ranking. It was a three-win improvement from the previous season and the first winning season and playoff berth since 2007.
His coaching career started as a student assistant at his alma mater, Western Kentucky, assisting with linebackers and special teams. He also broke down film and assisted with daily recruiting on campus activities. He learned under then head coach Willie Taggart, who is now Head Coach at Conference-USA School, South Florida. Smith helped sign the #1 class among Sun Belt Conference Schools in 2011, including Thomas Major, who now plays in the CFL.
Smith played two seasons for David Elson at Western Kentucky (2008-09). Starting at inside linebacker, the Georgia native played in all 24 career games, compiling 88 tackles as a senior with 5.5 tackles for loss as well as one interception and two forced fumbles. He recorded double-digit tackles in three straight contests, including 13 at Navy, and returned an interception 16 yards against South Florida. He ended his career with 11 tackles against Arkansas State.
Smith posted 49 stops as a junior with one fumble recovery and one pass breakup, including four tackles and a pass breakup versus Virginia Tech. He recorded a team-best 10 stops with a sack against Ball State and notched eight tackles versus Florida International.
In two seasons at Minnesota State Community and Technical College (2006-07), Smith garnered Male Student-Athlete of the Year honors as a sophomore. He earned First-Team All-Region and All-Minnesota Community College Conference honors in his second season, registering 118 total tackles (eighth best in the nation) along with seven interceptions and eight tackles for loss.
He recorded a career-best 25 tackles against Ridgewater Community College and was credited with 18 stops and two interceptions versus Vermillion Community College. Smith paced the Spartans with 102 tackles along with three forced fumbles as a freshman, garnering Second Team All-MCCC accolades.
A three-year letterwinner at Perry High School in Perry, Ga., Smith twice earned the Coaches’ Award. He posted 88 tackles as a senior, helping the Panthers play their first-ever home playoff game, and registered 82 stops with three sacks and two fumble recoveries as a junior. A two-sport athlete in high school, Smith lettered three years on the hardwood as a member of the basketball team.
Smith received his Associate of Arts Degree from Minnesota State Community and Technical College in 2008. In 2011, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Western Kentucky in nearby Bowling Green.
