SAISD, Central High School welcome new head football coach (2024)

by: Aaron McGuire

Posted: Feb 2, 2024 / 11:59 AM CST

Updated: Feb 2, 2024 / 11:59 AM CST

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — The San Angelo Independent School District and Central High School have welcomed a fresh face to their sports scene with the arrival of Mark Smith, the new athletic coordinator and head football coach of Central High School.

In an announcement released on Friday, Feb. 2, SAISD and Central High publicly ushered in Smith.

“We are excited to welcome Coach Smith and his family back to West Texas and, more importantly, to the San Angelo community,” Executive Director of Athletics Coach Rodney Chant said. “Coach Smith has a passion and desire to build our athletes into not only winners on the field and in the classroom but, more importantly, preparing them to be successful in life.”

Smith has over 24 years of experience coaching football at the high school and college level. he most recently served as the defensive analyst for the University of Oklahoma. During his coaching tenure, he has made stops at high schools and universities such as 5A Colleyville Heritage High School, 6A MacArthur High School, 6A L.D. Bell High School, University of Oklahoma, Southern Methodist University, University of Arkansas, Long Island University and University of Colorado.

Coach Smith holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Bachelor of Behavioral Science from Hardin-Simmons University. His many successes and accolades include past-president of the Dallas-Fort Worth High School Coaches Association and election to the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) Board of Directors.

Smith is said to have a philosophy of “comprehensive student-athlete success” that focuses on ensuring that students are successful both on and off the field.

“I believe we can achieve an ‘AND’ scenario when it comes to comprehensive student-athlete success,” Smith said. “Receiving a world-class education AND competing in a competitive championship football program AND being engaged in a supportive greater community, AND having the opportunity to grow personally. We will create this atmosphere where ‘AND’ is the conjunction in our vocabulary for comprehensive student-athlete success and not ‘OR.’”

Smith’s off-the-field coaching is for more than just academics, however. SAISD stated that he believes in building leadership and life skills, “including positive attitudes, genuine kindness and showing respect to gain respect.” This coaching style takes a nurturing approach when it comes to teaching, one that adapts to the learning styles of the students while also engaging players and encouraging them to take ownership.

To fill the role of CHS athletic coordinator and head football coach, SAISD worked alongside Dr. Curtis Culwell, a former superintendent in Lubbock and Garland, Texas, as well as a long-time member of the university Scholastic League Legislative Committee. SAISD and Dr. Culwell considered several noteworthy candidates before selecting Coach Smith.

SAISD also welcomes Smith’s wife, Michelle Smith, and his three children, 19-year-old Makenna, 15-year-old Micah and 6-year-old Mailey Kay.

“We welcome Coach Smith and his family to San Angelo and back to West Texas,” SAISD said. “San Angelo ISD and Bobcat Athletics are excited to usher in a new era under Coach Smith’s leadership.”