On Tuesday, Rattler Head Football Coach Alex Wood confirmed that
his recruiting coordinator has left the program with just weeks to go before the
Feb. 1 National Signing Day.
Former FAMU Special Teams and Recruiting Coordinator Dennis
Smith has taken a job at McNeese State, which is a member of the Southland
Conference.
“Dennis has a variety of qualities that makes him one of the
most important hires for McNeese,” said McNeese State Head Coach Lance Guidry. “His
experience as an FBS director of football operations and recruiting coordinator
will help define our daily, weekly, and seasonal football activities. Spending
most of his coaching career in Florida, he'll help our program reach out to new
recruiting grounds in the future.”
Prior to FAMU, Smith worked two seasons as wide receivers and special teams coach at Itawamba Community College in Fulton, Mississippi where his receiving group ranked second among Mississippi junior colleges in total receptions with 227.
A 2005 graduate of the University of Miami, he worked as
assistant director of football operations at The U in 2006 before spending six
seasons at Florida International, serving in various roles including assistant
director of football operations (2007); graduate assistant coach for offense
(2008-10); director of player personnel and quality control (2011); and
recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach (2012), helping FIU bring in the
top recruiting class in the Sun Belt Conference in 2011 and 2012.
Smith will recruit the New Orleans area and in Florida.
At FAMU, graduate assistance Alex Peffley has stepped into
the role of recruiting coordinator.
Walter Stewart, who served as Wood’s defensive line coach,
has also resigned in order to join the football staff of Eastern Kentucky
University.
The Florida A&M Department of Intercollegiate Athletics
says Wood working to fill the two vacant positions.
The Rattler football team finished with a 1-10 record in 2015 during
Wood’s first season as head coach.