Stetson University Athletics

Herman Smith joined the Stetson Football coaching staff in 2025 and serves as Defensive Line Coach and Pro Liaison… He brought extensive coaching experience and an 11-season professional playing career to DeLand after spending seven seasons coaching the defensive line at CSU Pueblo. Smith's football background spans the NFL, Canadian Football League and NFL Europe along with nearly two decades in coaching… His professional career included four NFL organizations, three CFL All-Star selections, a runner-up finish for CFL Defensive Player of the Year and a Grey Cup Championship. In his first season at Stetson, Smith was part of a staff that helped the Hatters earn consecutive Pioneer Football League victories for the first time since 2019… He continues to work directly with Stetson's defensive front while also serving as a resource for student-athletes pursuing professional opportunities. At Stetson, Smith works directly with the Hatters' defensive line while also serving as the program's Pro Liaison… His background as both a professional defensive lineman and longtime position coach provides extensive experience in technique, preparation, physical development and the demands of playing along the defensive front. Smith works alongside defensive coordinator Dustin Kincaid as part of Stetson's defensive staff… His professional background also provides the Hatters with firsthand insight into the preparation and expectations required to pursue football beyond the collegiate level. Smith's first season at Stetson included a breakthrough stretch in Pioneer Football League play as the Hatters earned consecutive conference victories for the first time since 2019. Stetson defeated Davidson, 35-32, on Oct. 4 to earn its first PFL victory since Oct. 7, 2023 and its first home conference win since 2022. One week later, the Hatters defeated Morehead State, 21-14, to complete the back-to-back PFL victories. The stretch provided an important milestone during the first season of head coach Mike Jasper's staff and established momentum as Stetson continued developing its defensive identity. Stetson's defense delivered a strong performance in the 2026 home opener as the Hatters defeated Webber International, 45-10, at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium. The Hatters limited Webber International to just 185 total yards and only 46 passing yards while keeping the Warriors scoreless through the first three quarters. Stetson also produced an interception and a sack, with Eli Durden recording the sack from the defensive front as the Hatters controlled the game on both sides of the football. Prior to joining Stetson, Smith spent seven seasons coaching the defensive line at CSU Pueblo after joining the ThunderWolves in 2017. His tenure in Pueblo continued a coaching career centered around developing defensive fronts and preparing players for collegiate competition… Smith brought the technical knowledge and experience gained during his professional playing career directly into his work with the ThunderWolves. His seven seasons at CSU Pueblo followed previous collegiate coaching stops at Oklahoma Baptist and Victor Valley College. Defensive line development has been at the center of Smith's coaching career… His own experience competing professionally along the defensive front gives him a player-focused perspective when teaching technique, leverage, hand usage, preparation and position fundamentals. Smith's background spans multiple levels of football, from high school and junior college to NCAA competition and the professional ranks. At Stetson, that experience allows him to work directly with the Hatters' defensive linemen while helping student-athletes understand both the physical and mental preparation necessary to succeed at the position. Smith began his coaching career at the high school level in Las Vegas in 2008 before transitioning into the collegiate ranks. In 2013, he joined the staff at Victor Valley College and began the collegiate portion of his coaching career… Smith later coached at Oklahoma Baptist before joining CSU Pueblo in 2017. After seven seasons with the ThunderWolves, Smith joined Jasper's staff at Stetson ahead of the 2025 season. His career has allowed him to work with defensive linemen at several different levels while drawing from more than a decade of professional playing experience. Before entering the coaching profession, Smith spent 11 seasons playing professional football across three leagues… His career included opportunities in the National Football League, Canadian Football League and NFL Europe. Smith spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers organizations during his NFL career. He also competed for the British Columbia Lions in the CFL and the London Monarchs in NFL Europe. His professional experience eventually became the foundation for a coaching career centered on developing defensive linemen and helping players understand the demands of football at the highest level. Smith developed into one of the Canadian Football League's top defensive linemen during his professional career… He earned three CFL All-Star selections and finished as the runner-up for the league's Defensive Player of the Year honor in 1999. The following season, Smith helped the British Columbia Lions capture the 2000 Grey Cup Championship with a 28-26 victory over Montreal. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} The Grey Cup title added a championship to a professional résumé that included success across the CFL, NFL and NFL Europe. Smith's extensive professional playing background provides a natural foundation for his role as Stetson's Pro Liaison. Having competed across the NFL, CFL and NFL Europe, Smith brings firsthand experience with professional football environments, evaluation processes and the expectations placed on players attempting to continue their careers beyond college. Along with coaching Stetson's defensive line, he serves as a resource for Hatters pursuing professional opportunities and preparing for the transition from collegiate football to the next level. Before beginning his professional career, Smith played college football at Portland State University. His collegiate experience with the Vikings prepared him for an 11-season professional career that would take him through the NFL, CFL and NFL Europe before he eventually transitioned into coaching.