Saginaw Valley State University

Tesfa Smith started his second stint with the Cardinal footballcoaching staff in 2007, where he was responsible for the runningbacks, a position he held from 2002-04.  For the past twoseason coach Smith has coached the linebacker position, which helast coached in 2001 for the Cardinals.  

Over the past three seasons Smith has developed one of the bestlinebacking units in the nation.  In 2012 Grant Caserta earnedAll-GLIAC honor and was named a Capital One AcademicAll-American.

Smith recently was the defensive coordinator at MacMurrayCollege in Jacksonville, Illinois.He also was responsible for filmbreakdown and compiling data for defensive scouting reports andserved as the academic advisor for the football team.

Smith was at SVSU from 1999-04, coaching linebackers, runningbacks and tight ends. Smith played his college ball at LakelandCollege and was a four-year starter at linebacker. He was atwo-time all-conference performer and was named conferencedefensive player of the year as a junior and senior.

Smith received his Bachelor’s Degree from Lakeland Collegein Marketing and International Business with a minor in Spanish. Hehas also completed his Master’s Degree at Saginaw ValleyState in May 2001 with an emphasis in Business Administration. Smith and his wife Brooke reside in Saginaw, Mich. with theirtwin daughters Adalie and Amari.