Michael Smith (running back)

Michael Smith (born August 9, 1988) is an American college football coach and former running back. He is the associate head coach, special teams coordinator, and running backs coach for the University of Northern Colorado, a position he has held since 2024. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL) in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played college football at Utah State. He also played for the New York Jets and the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He also coached for Oregon State, BYU, and Dixie State/Utah Tech.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Smith was selected in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On May 7, 2012, Smith signed a four-year deal with the Bucs to officially join the Buccaneers roster. The deal was worth $2.165 million over four years and included a $66,000 signing bonus.

New York Jets
Smith signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets on August 1, 2014. He was released on August 23.

Ottawa Redblacks
In 2014, Smith signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Coaching career
In 2015, Smith joined Oregon State as a graduate assistant.

In 2018, Smith was hired as a defensive analyst for BYU.

In 2019, Smith was hired as the defensive backs coach for Dixie State. In 2021, he became the defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach. In 2022, he retained his position as defensive pass game coordinator but also became the safeties coach.

In 2023, Smith was hired as the associate head coach, run game coordinator, and running backs coach for Northern Colorado. In 2024, Smith retained his roles as associate head coach and running backs coach but also became the special teams coordinator.