Will Smart, who just earlier this decade wrapped up his collegiate playing career at Wake Forest, is headed to the NFL after just two seasons as a college assistant coach.
Smart, who first served as a graduate assistant under Dave Clawson at his alma mater and then spent the 2025 season on Clark Lea’s Vanderbilt Commodores staff, is going to the NFL to join the defensive staff of the Green Bay Packers.
At Vanderbilt last season, Smart served as a defensive pass rush specialist for the Commodores, who won a school-record 10 regular season games.
He’ll join the defensive staff of new Green Bay defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
Smart was forced to medically retire during his playing career at Wake Forest and remained with the Demon Deacons as a student-assistant coach. He then transitioned into paid coaching status within the Wake program.
Gannon was hired within the past few weeks to serve as defensive coordinator after Jeff Hafley landed the head coaching job for the Miami Dolphins.Â