Texas Tech University Athletics
Smith joins Texas Tech staff as outside linebackers coach
February 13, 2026 | Football
Former NFL position coach arrives at Texas Tech following two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire went to the NFL ranks for the second time to fill a vacancy on his coaching staff Friday with the hiring of former Atlanta Falcons outside linebackers coach Jacquies Smith to the same position with the Red Raiders.
Smith arrives at Texas Tech with experience as both a player and coach at the NFL level after spending the past two seasons on the Falcons' staff. A five-year NFL veteran as a player, Smith has also worked at the collegiate level, beginning his coaching career as a graduate assistant on the Texas staff in 2023.
"We're excited to welcome Coach Smith to our program and continue our efforts in producing dominant outside linebackers," McGuire said. "He has not only played this game at the highest levels but has coached it as well, making him a great fit to join our program as we build upon the defensive success from this past season."
The Falcons set a franchise record with 57 total sacks during the 2025 season thanks in part to rookie outside linebacker James Pearce Jr., who led the team with 10.5 sacks. Pearce, the Falcons' first round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, easily led all rookies for sacks to go along with 26 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits, making him one of five finalists for Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
His successful debut placed Pearce in a select category historically as his 10.5 sacks were the most for an NFL rookie since former Cowboys outside linebacker Micah Parson had 13 in 2021. In fact, Pearce became only the 23rd rookie since sacks became an official NFL individual stat to record at least 10.5 sacks in a season. He was the youngest Falcon in franchise history to reach 10.0 sacks in a season.
Smith developed a young Falcons outside linebackers room during his first season in 2024 as Atlanta's pass rush totaled 31 sacks and 71 quarterback hits on 184 pressures. Atlanta's defense recorded the longest active streak in the NFL that season with three-or-more sacks in a game, having reached that mark in each of the Falcons' Week 13-16 matchups.
Arnold Ebiketie, a 2022 second round pick by the Falcons before Smith's arrival, turned in his best season to date under his guidance in 2024, recording the fifth-most sacks in the NFL over the final six weeks of the season. Ebiketie notched five sacks during that span, pushing his season total to six, which matched his career high.
Smith joined the Falcons after spending the 2023 season as a graduate assistant at Texas where he assisted with the edge rushers. Texas played in the College Football Playoff that season behind a strong pass rush that ranked second in the Big 12 with 32 sacks and 85.0 tackles for loss.
Prior to joining the staff at Texas, Smith specialized in pre-draft training for draft-eligible prospects, passing along his own experience from a successful NFL career of his own. He worked with the likes of Travon Walker, the top overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, as well as Will Anderson Jr., who was selected No. 3 overall a year later, during his time as a trainer.
Smith played five seasons in the NFL, appearing in 37 games for the Buccaneers, Lions, Cardinals and Raiders from 2014-18. He began his NFL career on the practice squads for the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills from 2012-13 before breaking into the starting lineup with the Buccaneers a year later with 6.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. Smith ultimately recorded 43 tackles, 26 quarterback hits, 13.5 sacks, 10.0 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, three pass breakups and one defensive touchdown over his NFL career.
Smith previously starred at Missouri from 2008-11 prior to his NFL career where he was a two-time All-Big 12 selection and team captain. He finished with 142 tackles during his four-year career, including 21.0 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks, to go along with nine passes defensed, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns for a Missouri program that had two 10-win seasons and totaled 36 wins during that span.
Smith, a native of Dallas and graduate of South Oak Cliff High School, earned his degree from Missouri in 2011.
JACQUIES SMITH COACHING EXPERIENCE
2024-25 – Atlanta Falcons Assistant Coach (Outside Linebackers)
2023 – Texas Graduate Assistant (Outside Linebackers)
PRONUNCIATION
Jacquies Smith – jah-QWEESE
