Darrius Smith Position: Running Backs Coach Experience: Sixth Season Alma Mater: Frostburg State ('95)

Darrius Smith begins his sixth year as a Villanova assistant in 2012. Smith will coach the Wildcat running backs and his recruiting area will consist of Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and Washington, D.C.

In 2010, Smith guided junior running back Aaron Ball to third team All-CAA honors for the second consecutive season. Ball finished his Villanova career second in school history in rushing yards with 2,916. In 2008, Smith was instrumental in helping Ball become just the third Wildcat back in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Ball finished 2008 with 1,081 yards rushing and a team-best 13 touchdowns. For his efforts in 2008, Ball was named second team All-CAA.

In his first season on the Main Line in 2007, Smith guided two Wildcats to All-Conference distinction. Senior tight end Matt Sherry was a first team All-CAA choice, while running back Matt Dicken was a third team honoree. Sherry was also chosen in the NFL Draft as he was a sixth round selection of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Smith arrived at Villanova from Northeastern University where he coached from 2004-06. After coaching wide receivers his first year at Northeastern, he served as the team's running backs coach the last two seasons. Prior to his stint at Northeastern, Smith was the running backs at James Madison from 2002-04. During the summer of 2005, he earned a NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Before his James Madison experience, he was at the University of Idaho from 2001-02 as a defensive graduate assistant. His other coaching stops include Indiana University of Pennsylvania (2000-01), New Mexico Highlands University (1995-00) and Frostburg State University (1994-95).

As a player, Smith was a three-year starter at defensive back at Frostburg State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education. During his career, he tallied 15 career interceptions and led his team to a record of 33-11 record.

Smith is single and resides in Royersford, Pa.