Dan Smith enters his fifth season with the Knights in 2026, having proven as one of the more consistent presences on the team's coaching staff.
Joining the staff days prior to the 2022 fall camp beginning, Smith has coached both the defensive line (2022) and offensive line (2023-present), while serving as the team's equipment and operations manager. Smith has also led several community initiatives, taking his position groups on multiple outreach and service activities.Â
Under his watch, Smith has seen the most consistent leader, developing two All-American offensive linemen in Zach Sibila and Reece Byerly. In 2024 under Smith, Sibila was named to the First Team All-America for the Associated Press, College Sports Communicators Academic Team, and AFCA. In 2025, Reece Byerly earned AFCA First Team All-America honors, with Smith guiding the redshirt-sophomore in his first collegiate snaps to an All-American at left tackle.
Smith has coached 13 MSFA honors on both the offensive and defensive lines, and saw Zach Sibila be named as the MSFA Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2024.Â
The Knights field goal unit, coached by Smith in 2025, had one of the best operations in the NAIA, converting 93 percent of its point after tries while converting six field goals.
Dan and his wife, Anne, reside in the Indianapolis area with their son, Deacon.Â
