Tesfa Smith started his second stint with the Cardinal football coaching staff in 2007, where he was responsible for the running backs, a position he held from 2002-04.  For the past two season coach Smith has coached the linebacker position, which he last coached in 2001 for the Cardinals.  

Over the past three seasons Smith has developed one of the best linebacking units in the nation.  In 2012 Grant Caserta earned All-GLIAC honor and was named a Capital One Academic All-American.

Smith recently was the defensive coordinator at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois.He also was responsible for film breakdown and compiling data for defensive scouting reports and served as the academic advisor for the football team.

Smith was at SVSU from 1999-04, coaching linebackers, running backs and tight ends. Smith played his college ball at Lakeland College and was a four-year starter at linebacker. He was a two-time all-conference performer and was named conference defensive player of the year as a junior and senior.

Smith received his Bachelor’s Degree from Lakeland College in Marketing and International Business with a minor in Spanish. He has also completed his Master’s Degree at Saginaw Valley State in May 2001 with an emphasis in Business Administration.  Smith and his wife Brooke reside in Saginaw, Mich. with their twin daughters Adalie and Amari.