In an exciting development for the Green Bay Packers, reports from FootballScoop reveal that they have brought on board Will Smart, a former pass-rush specialist from Vanderbilt, to join their defensive coaching staff under the guidance of defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Although the specific nature of Smart's role within the team has not yet been disclosed, it is common for younger coaches transitioning from college football to take on positions such as defensive quality control coaches or assistants who support positional coaches rather than assuming full-fledged coaching roles right away. This hiring comes in the wake of the Packers losing their previous defensive quality control coach, Wendel Davis, who accepted a position with the Miami Dolphins. As such, Smart could potentially be stepping into Davis’s former role.
At present, the Packers' defensive line coaching staff includes assistant coach Vince Oghobaase. Oghobaase was recruited from Boston College, thanks to former defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Interestingly, it has not been reported that the Dolphins, now managed by Hafley, have lured Oghobaase away, which is noteworthy given the movement of other defensive personnel. Furthermore, there have been no announcements regarding Oghobaase’s dismissal from the Packers, either. The team’s primary defensive line coach is DeMarcus Covington, who also serves as the run game coordinator. Covington stands out as a significant link between the coaching philosophies of Hafley and Gannon.
Smart’s football journey included playing at Wake Forest from 2019 to 2021, until he had to medically retire from competitive play. He embarked on his coaching career in 2024 as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, where he gained invaluable experience. Just last year, he was elevated to his first on-field coaching position, marking an important milestone in his professional development.
The 2025 season saw the Vanderbilt Commodores achieving remarkable success, finishing with a record of 10-3, including a 6-2 mark in the SEC. This accomplishment represents the best SEC performance for the team since World War II, along with their inaugural season achieving double-digit wins. Importantly, Smart's transition to the NFL is not an isolated case; another Vanderbilt assistant, Jimmy Thompson, who coached the nickel backs, also secured a position with the Los Angeles Chargers. This is particularly relevant because the Chargers employ a quarters-based defensive system, similar to what Gannon is expected to implement in Green Bay.
