Miles Smith enters his second season as the linebackers coach for the Houston Texans in 2022. He joined the Texans after spending three seasons at the University of Illinois as the linebackers coach (2019-20) and defensive backs coach (2018).
In 2021, Smith worked with LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, who set career-highs in tackles (106), tackles for loss (13, tied for first among NFL inside linebackers) and sacks (3.0). In Week 13 vs. Indianapolis (Dec. 5), Grugier-Hill set a Texans single-game record with 19 total tackles while adding one sack and three tackles for loss. Smith also mentored LB Christian Kirksey, who finished second on the team with 93 tackles and recorded a career-high eight passes defensed.
While coaching for the Fighting Illini in 2020, Smith worked closely with LB Jake Hansen, who earned All-Big Ten second team honors from the media and third team honors from the coaches after logging 68 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. Hansen was one of four different Illini linebackers to log at least 1.0 sack on the season.
In 2019, Smith's linebacker group at Illinois was one of the most productive in the Big Ten. Hansen led the nation with seven forced fumbles and was named a Butkus Award semifinalist, an award given annually to the top linebacker in college football. LB Dele Harding led the Big Ten in tackles (153), finishing second in the nation and marking the sixth-highest single-season total in school history.
As the defensive backs coach in 2018, Smith worked closely with true freshman DB Jartavius Murray who notched 42 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions. The Illini's 15 interceptions were tied for 18th in FBS and third in the Big Ten on the season.
Smith began his coaching career as a defensive quality control coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014 and 2015. Both Gerald McCoy (2014-15) and Lavonte David (2015) earned Pro Bowl appearances during his time with the Buccaneers as part of a defense that improved into a top-10 unit in 2015.
Smith graduated from Lake Forest (Ill.) College in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in history.
Smith was born in Mesa, Ariz. and he and his wife, Kara, reside in Manvel, Texas, with their daughter, Olivia. His father, Lovie, is the head coach of the Houston Texans.
2021-22 Linebackers Houston Texans
2019-20 Linebackers Illinois
2018 Defensive Backs Illinois
2014-15 Defensive Quality Control Tampa Bay Buccaneers
