A closer look at Robb Smith, who will be Penn State’s co-DC in the Peach Bowl

16/12/2023

Penn State safeties coach and interim defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter answers questions during Peach Bowl media day on Dec. 15, 2023. Joe Hermitt | [email protected]

STATE COLLEGE – Penn State will have co-offensive coordinators and co-defensive coordinators for the Nittany Lions’ Peach Bowl game with Ole Miss on Dec. 30 in Atlanta.

Co-offensive coordinators Ty Howle and Ja’Juan Seider, you know by now. They were elevated to coordinator status shortly after Penn State coach James Franklin fired OC Mike Yurcich following the Lions’ 24-15 loss to Michigan at Beaver Stadium.

Howle is also PSU’s tight ends coach and Seider is the team’s running backs coach. They coordinated the offense in the Lions’ late-season wins over Rutgers and Michigan State.

Following Manny Diaz’s departure to take the Duke head coaching job earlier this month, Franklin has opted to take a similar approach with the DC position for the bowl game while he continues his search for Diaz’s permanent replacement.

As expected, PSU safeties coach Anthony Poindexter will be involved in coordinating the defense against Lane Kiffin’s Rebels. Poindexter previously was a defensive coordinator at UConn from 2014 through 2016.

Poindexter will have help.

Franklin announced Friday he will elevate analyst Robb Smith to co-DC along with Poindexter.

Smith, a native of Pittsburgh, had previously served as a defensive coordinator at Duke (2022), Rutgers (2020-21), Minnesota (2017-18) Rutgers and Arkansas (2014-16).

“Robb became available, Robb’s from Pennsylvania,” Franklin said when asked about Smith, who was also in his first year as an analytics coordinator for the Lions in 2022.

“We have a number of people in common that he trusts that knows me and that I trust that knows him.

“And then he’s been a defensive coordinator at Duke, he’s been a defensive coordinator at Minnesota, he’s been a defensive coordinator at Rutgers, he’s been a defensive coordinator at Arkansas.”

Franklin also cited Smith’s familiarity with the inner workings of the PSU program and, specifically, the way Diaz ran the Lions’ defense.

PSU finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in FBS in fewest yards allowed per game (223.3).

“He’s got a track record, he understands our program, the culture,” Franklin added of Smith.

“Although he was more with the offense this year (during the regular season). He’s got a pretty good understanding of what we do on defense, that’s part of it, as well, right?

“Do we want to just continue exactly what we’re doing or do you go outside and there may be a few tweaks? (It’s) no different than there were with Manny (Diaz), transitioning from (former PSU DC) Brent (Pry).”

Franklin continued: “Whenever you’re able to get these types of people into your building, there’s value in it. But then it also creates some opportunities, when possible, to promote from within.

“As long as … they check enough of those boxes, based on the person that they’d be replacing.”

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