Robb Smith is in third season on the Rutgers sideline. Smith will serve as special teams coordinator for the third campaign and will return to coaching the linebackers.
Smith previously coached the cornerbacks last year after spending the 2009 season leading the outside linebackers. The Scarlet Knights have consistently excelled in special teams under the direction of Smith.
In his first season, the Scarlet Knights enjoyed measured success with Smith as the special teams coordinator. After a 2008 season in which RU did not have a special teams touchdown, Rutgers collected four in 2009 on three kick returns and a punt return. The special teams unit also recorded six blocked kicks.
Over the past two seasons, RU has recorded a total of 15 blocked kicks and seven punt/kickoff return touchdowns. The Scarlet Knights combined for just seven blocked kicks and one TD return in the two seasons prior to Smith arriving 'On the Banks'.
Smith joined Rutgers after a seven-season stint on the Maine coaching staff, serving as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator during the end of his tenure with the Black Bears. In addition to his role as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach, Smith also coached the team's linebackers.
Under Smith, Maine was ranked in the top third nationally in the Football Championship Subdivision in total defense in each of his three seasons as defensive coordinator. Smith earned the promotion to assistant head coach after leading one of the finest defenses in the nation in 2006. In his first season as the defensive coordinator, the "Black Hole" defense ranked among the top five nationally in several categories, including: rush defense (first), total defense (second), sacks (third), scoring defense (fourth) and tackles for loss (fifth).
Before joining the staff at Maine, Smith worked as a quality control/defensive graduate assistant at Iowa from 1999-2001. He was with the 2001 Hawkeye squad that defeated Texas Tech in the Alamo Bowl, 19-16.
A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Smith played at Allegheny College from 1993-97 and was a three-year letterwinner at strong safety. Smith earned his B.A. degree in economics from Allegheny in 1997. He also earned a masters degree in communications from Iowa in 2002. Smith and his wife, Amy, are the proud parents of two sons, Charlie and Jack.
