Texas Tech is finalizing a deal to hire Jacquies Smith as its new outside linebackers coach, per a report from On3’s Pete Nakos. RedRaiderSports.com can confirm Texas Tech’s interest in Smith.
Smith has spent the past two seasons as the Atlanta Falcons’ outside linebackers coach. He oversaw the development of James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker, who combined for 16 sacks as rookies during the 2025 season. The move would give Texas Tech an NFL position coach with recent experience developing edge talent at the highest level.
Prior to his time with the Falcons, Smith spent the 2023 season at Texas as an assistant edge coach.
He previously served as a defensive quality control coach at Louisiana-Lafayette from 2019-22 and coached linebackers at Episcopal School of Dallas from 2016-18.
Smith played his college football at Missouri, earning Second-Team All-Big 12 honors as a senior. Though undrafted, he appeared in 37 career NFL games before transitioning into coaching.
Smith is expected to replace C.J. Ah You, who recently accepted a position with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A Dallas native and South Oak Cliff product, Smith would give Texas Tech another strong recruiting presence in the talent-rich DFW area.
From his Atlanta Falcons bio.
“Jacquies Smith was named the Atlanta Falcons’ outside linebackers coach on Feb. 22, 2024.
In 2024, Smith helped the Falcons pass rush to 31 total sacks and 71 quarterback hits on 184 pressures on the season. Atlanta’s defense had the longest active streak in the NF: of recording three-or-more sacks in a game, having hit the mark in each of the Falcons four matchups from Weeks 13-16.
Under Smith’s leadership, OLB Arnold Ebiketie recorded the fifth-most sacks in the NFL over the final six weeks of the season, totaling five sacks in Weeks 13-18. Ebiketie matched his career-high in sacks from the 2023 season with six total and 12 quarterback hits.
Smith joined the Falcons after spending the 2023 season as an assistant edge coach at Texas, where he helped the Longhorns defense to rank second in the Big 12 in sacks (32) and tackles for loss (85). Prior to joining the staff at Texas, Smith specialized in pre-draft training for draft-eligible players.
Smith played five seasons (2014-18) in the NFL, appearing in 37 games (18 starts) for the Buccaneers, Lions and Raiders. Over his career, Smith recorded 43 tackles (30 solo), 26 quarterback hits, 13.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, three passes defended and one defensive touchdown.
As a defensive end at Missouri, Smith played four seasons (2008-11) for the Tigers, recorded 142 tackles (77 solo), 21 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, nine passes defended, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns (one interception and one fumble recovery). In 2020, Smith earned second-team All-Big 12 honors after registering 32 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.”
Join the conversation with other Red Raiders on the Inside The Double T forum.
Subscribe today to get the most in-depth Texas Tech sports and recruiting coverage.
Follow us on X: @RedRaiderSports
Like and follow us on Instagram @rrs_rivals & like us on Facebook.