JMU Assistant Ryan Smith Joins Virginia Tech Football Staff

Greg Madia of the Daily News-Record in Harrisonburg, VA first reported that James Madison safeties coach Ryan Smith will be joining Virginia Tech football's coaching staff with Virginia Tech confirming the news shortly thereafter.

Smith joins Virginia Tech's staff as the cornerbacks coach after a season as the safeties coach and pro scout liaison for JMU. Before that, Smith was the defensive backs coach at Elon in 2017 and 2018 following stints as a grad assistant at UTSA (2014) and Penn State (2015-16). Smith played his college football at William & Mary from 2009-13 where he played cornerback and was a two-time CAA All-Conference Academic member.

Justin Fuente and Ryan Smith had this to say about Smith joining Tech's staff (via VT press release).

"We're excited to add another talented coach to our staff in Ryan Smith," Fuente said. "As a collegiate player he was groomed for a future in our profession by head coach Jimmye Laycock at William & Mary. He played the cornerback position for Coach Laycock and he was born and raised in Virginia. Ryan has grown at each stop of his coaching career and he's earned the opportunity to join us at Virginia Tech. He'll be a good fit with Coach (Justin) Hamilton and the rest of our defensive staff."

"I'm honored to accept this opportunity to coach at a place like Virginia Tech," Smith said. "I grew up admiring the Hokies playing hard-hitting defense and being opportunistic on special teams. To have an opportunity to help carry on that tradition under Coach Fuente is truly a blessing. I can't wait to be on the sideline at Lane Stadium and feel the passion of the fans as Hokie Nation starts jumping."

We will have more as this story develops.