OWENSBORO, KY. – A.J. Smith '71, the 2004 National Football League (NFL) Executive of the Year, has taken on a role with Kentucky Wesleyan College and the football program, as announced by Director of Athletics Rob Mallory on Wednesday morning. Smith will serve the Athletic Department as Senior Football Consultant.
"I'm extremely excited to work with A.J.," said Athletics Director Mallory. "He has been a longtime, passionate supporter of his alma mater from afar, and I am appreciative that he will now support in this hands-on role. With almost 40 years of experience at the highest level of football, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that I am eager to put to use."
The role Smith will take on is assessing and evaluating all facets of the Kentucky Wesleyan College football program. With a career that spanned five decades, Smith will use his expertise in providing reports and program recommendations to the Wesleyan Department of Athletics.
"I would like to thank Rob Mallory for this opportunity to help him with his vision for the future growth of the football program," said A.J. Smith. "I got to know Rob well over the last few years. The energy and excitement he brings to his job is contagious. I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and working with him on establishing an exciting winning tradition at Kentucky Wesleyan College."
As an advisor on all matters related to the football program, Smith's scope will include, but not be limited to the evaluation of personnel, recruiting philosophy, facility needs, and fundraising.
"We are constantly evaluating all of our programs, but now is the ideal time to do a deep dive with football," continued Director Mallory. "Bringing A.J. in to assist allows us to do that without taking our focus away from our current student-athletes."
Smith most recently served as the Senior Executive of the Washington Redskins in 2013 and 2014. He solidified his standing in the NFL with a 12-year (2001-12) run with the San Diego Chargers. He started in 2001 as the Assistant General Manager and Pro Personnel Director, a title he kept for two years before being promoted to the Executive Vice President and General Manager in 2003.
During his time in San Diego, the Chargers finished first in the Division five times, advancing to the AFC Title game in 2008. In his tenure, the franchise won 98 games, more than any of the team's predecessors. In total 15 players were selected to a Pro Bowl while Smith oversaw the Chargers.
His NFL experienced started in 1977 as a part-time Scout for the New York Giants. Over the years he served in the same capacity with the New England Patriots (1978-80) and Houston Oilers (1981). After a three-year stint in the USFL as a Scout, Smith returned to the NFL in 1987 as an Area Scout for the Buffalo Bills. He was elevated in the Bills organization in 1988 as the Assistant Director of College Scouting before moving on to the Pro Personnel Director in 1993.
In total Smith spent 14 years with the Bills, the last seven as the Pro Personnel Director. From there, the Wesleyan grad moved to the West Coast for his tenure with San Diego.
"We are committed to fielding a football program that consistently excels in all facets," concluded Director Mallory. "Our goal in this process is to clearly identify the steps we must take to meet that commitment and to set the priorities for the future of Panther football."
The Panthers started the year 0-2 and will host Kentucky State on Saturday at 6 pm CT at Steele Stadium.
