Football
Chris Smith
- Title:
- Assistant Coach, Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator
- Alma Mater:
- Holy Cross, '09
- Year at UCLA:
- 1st in 2026
Chris Smith begins his first season as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator for the UCLA football program in 2026. He arrived in Westwood after spending the previous two seasons in the same role at James Madison University. The 2026 campaign marks Smith’s 17th year of coaching, including his 16th at the NCAA Division I level.
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Smith has now served on Chesney’s staff in eight of the last nine seasons across three different stops. He has assisted Chesney as his offensive line coach for seven seasons, with two at James Madison (2024-25) and four at FCS Holy Cross (2018-21). Smith also operated as Chesney’s offensive coordinator for the 2022 season before taking on an NFL role as the offensive line coach for the New York Giants.
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Most recently, Smith and Chesney helped James Madison reach new heights in their two years together in Harrisonburg, Va. In 2025, the Dukes recorded just the 10th unbeaten conference record in Sun Belt history, going 8-0, and captured the program’s first Sun Belt Championship. James Madison secured a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the first time in school history with the No. 12 seed and earned its highest AP ranking in program history at No. 19. The Dukes finished the season with a 12-2 record following their CFP First Round appearance.
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Smith's 2025 offensive line group at James Madison blocked for one of the nation's elite running backs, Wayne Knight, who was named a Paul Hornung Award Finalist and Associated Press Second Team All-American. Knight ranked third in the FBS and broke the school record with 2,039 all-purpose yards. He was also seventh in the nation with 1,373 rushing yards and fifth with 6.63 yards per carry. James Madison scored the fourth-most rushing touchdowns in the country with 38 and boasted the country's sixth-best rushing offense with 241.5 ground yards per game. The offensive line also blocked for Sun Belt Player of the Year Alonza Barnett III, who accumulated 232 points scored on 23 passing touchdowns and 15 rushing touchdowns, which was good for third among all FBS quarterbacks. As a whole, the Dukes were also top-20 in the FBS in scoring offense (37.1), rushing touchdowns (38), total offense (452.6) and time of possession (34:13).
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All five starters on Smith’s 2025 offensive line earned All-Sun Belt accolades, including right tackle Pat McMurtrie on the First Team and center Zach Greenberg and right guard Riley Robell on the Second Team.
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In Smith’s first season in Harrisonburg, he was part of an offense that ranked top-30 nationally in seven categories, which included leading the country in fewest interceptions (4) and ranking third in fewest turnovers (9). JMU was also 23rd in time of possession (31:48), 24th in fewest fumbles lost (5), 26th in scoring offense (33.3), 28th in rushing offense (191.5) and 30th in pass efficiency (144.60). JMU also led the Sun Belt in fewest interceptions thrown, fewest turnovers and time of possession while ranking second in passing scores (28) and third in scoring.
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Smith coached a pair of Dukes to All-Sun Belt First Team honors in 2022 in right tackle McMurtrie and right guard Cole Potts. McMurtrie was the league’s top-rated tackle after not allowing a single sack all season.
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Prior to James Madison, Smith spent 2023 as the offensive line coach for the New York Giants where his position group helped running back Saquon Barkley rush for 962 yards and six touchdowns, earning him an invite to the Pro Bowl.
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Before his year-long stint in the NFL, Smith coached under Bob Chesney for six seasons at Holy Cross, serving as offensive line coach for five years from 2017-21 and offensive coordinator in his final season in 2022. During his time with the Crusaders, he helped the program to four straight Patriot League Championships and NCAA FCS Playoff berths.
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Smith helped lift the Holy Cross offense to new heights as coordinator in 2022. Holy Cross registered just its fifth-ever double-digit win total and set a single-season wins record with a 12-1 mark. An 11-0 regular season earned Holy Cross the No. 8 seed for the NCAA FCS Playoffs. The Crusaders defeated New Hampshire, 35-19, in the First Round to reach the Quarterfinals for the first time since 1983. Holy Cross finished the year with a No. 6 ranking among all FCS teams as a result of numerous marquee wins, including a hail mary victory against FBS foe Buffalo and an overtime win over nationally-ranked Fordham.
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Holy Cross led the nation in 2022 in fewest turnovers with six, fumbling just once. The Crusaders also ranked second in FCS in yards per completion (16.2), sixth in rushing offense (245.1) and eighth in scoring offense (37.4). Holy Cross produced its first pair of 1,000-yard rushers in the same season while a program-record 10 players were named All-Patriot League on the offensive side of the ball, including eight on the First Team. Quarterback Matthew Sluka finished with 1,234 rushing yards, the most of any FCS quarterback, while passing for 2,489 yards. He passed for 26 touchdowns while rushing for 11 more.
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Holy Cross’ offensive line was widely respected as having one of the top units in all of FCS while under Smith’s guidance. All five Crusaders linemen earned All-Patriot League honors (four First Team) in 2022, including All-Americans Luke Newman and Nick Olsofka.
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In the Spring 2021 season, delayed from Fall 2022 due to COVID-19, Holy Cross defeated Bucknell in the first-ever Patriot League Championship game. The 2019 season saw the Crusaders capture their first Patriot League title in 10 years and third NCAA FCS Playoff berth in program history.
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Smith came to Holy Cross from the University of New Haven, where he served as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator for three years from 2014-16. He helped lead the Chargers to a 19-8 record in Northeast-10 Conference play during that time, with the team finishing either second or third in the league standings every season.
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Smith coached three New Haven offensive linemen to eight All-Northeast-10 selections, including 2016 AFCA First Team All-American Zach Voytek, over those three seasons. The Chargers led the conference in yards per rush during both the 2014 (4.4) and 2015 (5.0) seasons.
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Prior to New Haven, Smith spent two seasons as offensive line coach at the University of Northern Colorado from 2012-13. The Bears’ offensive line unit ranked fifth (2012) and sixth (2013) in the Big Sky Conference in sacks allowed. Smith’s group featured four All-Big Sky Honorable Mention selections over his two seasons.
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Smith began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Buffalo from 2010-11 where he worked with linebackers. He also coordinated the scout team and assisted with all scout special team units.
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A native of Rye, N.Y., Smith is a 2009 graduate of Holy Cross and was the four-year starting center for the Crusaders from 2006-09. He earned All-Patriot League Second Team honors as a senior, and still holds the school record for the most consecutive starts with 45. Smith was a four-time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll selection and was a semifinalist for the 2009 William V. Campbell Trophy, given annually to the nation’s top scholar-athlete.
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Smith’s Coaching Experience
2010, 2011 – Graduate Assistant, Buffalo
2012, 2013 – Offensive Line, Northern Colorado (FCS)
2014-16 – Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator, New Haven (FCS)
2017-21 – Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator, Holy Cross (FCS)
2022 – Offensive Coordinator, Holy Cross (FCS)
2023 – Offensive Line, New York Giants
2024, 2025 – Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator, James Madison
2026 – Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator, UCLA
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Smith has now served on Chesney’s staff in eight of the last nine seasons across three different stops. He has assisted Chesney as his offensive line coach for seven seasons, with two at James Madison (2024-25) and four at FCS Holy Cross (2018-21). Smith also operated as Chesney’s offensive coordinator for the 2022 season before taking on an NFL role as the offensive line coach for the New York Giants.
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Most recently, Smith and Chesney helped James Madison reach new heights in their two years together in Harrisonburg, Va. In 2025, the Dukes recorded just the 10th unbeaten conference record in Sun Belt history, going 8-0, and captured the program’s first Sun Belt Championship. James Madison secured a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the first time in school history with the No. 12 seed and earned its highest AP ranking in program history at No. 19. The Dukes finished the season with a 12-2 record following their CFP First Round appearance.
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Smith's 2025 offensive line group at James Madison blocked for one of the nation's elite running backs, Wayne Knight, who was named a Paul Hornung Award Finalist and Associated Press Second Team All-American. Knight ranked third in the FBS and broke the school record with 2,039 all-purpose yards. He was also seventh in the nation with 1,373 rushing yards and fifth with 6.63 yards per carry. James Madison scored the fourth-most rushing touchdowns in the country with 38 and boasted the country's sixth-best rushing offense with 241.5 ground yards per game. The offensive line also blocked for Sun Belt Player of the Year Alonza Barnett III, who accumulated 232 points scored on 23 passing touchdowns and 15 rushing touchdowns, which was good for third among all FBS quarterbacks. As a whole, the Dukes were also top-20 in the FBS in scoring offense (37.1), rushing touchdowns (38), total offense (452.6) and time of possession (34:13).
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All five starters on Smith’s 2025 offensive line earned All-Sun Belt accolades, including right tackle Pat McMurtrie on the First Team and center Zach Greenberg and right guard Riley Robell on the Second Team.
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In Smith’s first season in Harrisonburg, he was part of an offense that ranked top-30 nationally in seven categories, which included leading the country in fewest interceptions (4) and ranking third in fewest turnovers (9). JMU was also 23rd in time of possession (31:48), 24th in fewest fumbles lost (5), 26th in scoring offense (33.3), 28th in rushing offense (191.5) and 30th in pass efficiency (144.60). JMU also led the Sun Belt in fewest interceptions thrown, fewest turnovers and time of possession while ranking second in passing scores (28) and third in scoring.
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Smith coached a pair of Dukes to All-Sun Belt First Team honors in 2022 in right tackle McMurtrie and right guard Cole Potts. McMurtrie was the league’s top-rated tackle after not allowing a single sack all season.
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Prior to James Madison, Smith spent 2023 as the offensive line coach for the New York Giants where his position group helped running back Saquon Barkley rush for 962 yards and six touchdowns, earning him an invite to the Pro Bowl.
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Before his year-long stint in the NFL, Smith coached under Bob Chesney for six seasons at Holy Cross, serving as offensive line coach for five years from 2017-21 and offensive coordinator in his final season in 2022. During his time with the Crusaders, he helped the program to four straight Patriot League Championships and NCAA FCS Playoff berths.
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Smith helped lift the Holy Cross offense to new heights as coordinator in 2022. Holy Cross registered just its fifth-ever double-digit win total and set a single-season wins record with a 12-1 mark. An 11-0 regular season earned Holy Cross the No. 8 seed for the NCAA FCS Playoffs. The Crusaders defeated New Hampshire, 35-19, in the First Round to reach the Quarterfinals for the first time since 1983. Holy Cross finished the year with a No. 6 ranking among all FCS teams as a result of numerous marquee wins, including a hail mary victory against FBS foe Buffalo and an overtime win over nationally-ranked Fordham.
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Holy Cross led the nation in 2022 in fewest turnovers with six, fumbling just once. The Crusaders also ranked second in FCS in yards per completion (16.2), sixth in rushing offense (245.1) and eighth in scoring offense (37.4). Holy Cross produced its first pair of 1,000-yard rushers in the same season while a program-record 10 players were named All-Patriot League on the offensive side of the ball, including eight on the First Team. Quarterback Matthew Sluka finished with 1,234 rushing yards, the most of any FCS quarterback, while passing for 2,489 yards. He passed for 26 touchdowns while rushing for 11 more.
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Holy Cross’ offensive line was widely respected as having one of the top units in all of FCS while under Smith’s guidance. All five Crusaders linemen earned All-Patriot League honors (four First Team) in 2022, including All-Americans Luke Newman and Nick Olsofka.
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In the Spring 2021 season, delayed from Fall 2022 due to COVID-19, Holy Cross defeated Bucknell in the first-ever Patriot League Championship game. The 2019 season saw the Crusaders capture their first Patriot League title in 10 years and third NCAA FCS Playoff berth in program history.
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Smith came to Holy Cross from the University of New Haven, where he served as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator for three years from 2014-16. He helped lead the Chargers to a 19-8 record in Northeast-10 Conference play during that time, with the team finishing either second or third in the league standings every season.
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Smith coached three New Haven offensive linemen to eight All-Northeast-10 selections, including 2016 AFCA First Team All-American Zach Voytek, over those three seasons. The Chargers led the conference in yards per rush during both the 2014 (4.4) and 2015 (5.0) seasons.
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Prior to New Haven, Smith spent two seasons as offensive line coach at the University of Northern Colorado from 2012-13. The Bears’ offensive line unit ranked fifth (2012) and sixth (2013) in the Big Sky Conference in sacks allowed. Smith’s group featured four All-Big Sky Honorable Mention selections over his two seasons.
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Smith began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Buffalo from 2010-11 where he worked with linebackers. He also coordinated the scout team and assisted with all scout special team units.
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A native of Rye, N.Y., Smith is a 2009 graduate of Holy Cross and was the four-year starting center for the Crusaders from 2006-09. He earned All-Patriot League Second Team honors as a senior, and still holds the school record for the most consecutive starts with 45. Smith was a four-time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll selection and was a semifinalist for the 2009 William V. Campbell Trophy, given annually to the nation’s top scholar-athlete.
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Smith’s Coaching Experience
2010, 2011 – Graduate Assistant, Buffalo
2012, 2013 – Offensive Line, Northern Colorado (FCS)
2014-16 – Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator, New Haven (FCS)
2017-21 – Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator, Holy Cross (FCS)
2022 – Offensive Coordinator, Holy Cross (FCS)
2023 – Offensive Line, New York Giants
2024, 2025 – Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator, James Madison
2026 – Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator, UCLA
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