REPORT: Georgia Tech expected to hire TCU RB coach Jimmy Smith
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The offseason is a carousel for both players and coaches. TCU has already seen offensive coordinator Kendal Briles leave for South Carolina and the Horned Frogs moved quickly to replace him, hiring former UConn offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis. Another TCU assistant coach is reportedly on the way out as well, with Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports indicating that Georgia Tech is angling to hire running backs coach Jimmy Smith. Pete Nakos of On3 also reported the news about Smith, who came to TCU after serving as an assistant at Arkansas.
Smith joined the Horned Frogs in March 2024 as a replacement for Anthony Jones, who left TCU to work for USC after two seasons with head coach Sonny Dykes. Smith was a running backs coach for four seasons at Arkansas, where he working alongside Briles, who served as the team’s OC before arriving in Fort Worth. Smith, who worked at Georgia State in 2019, spent 12 years as a high school football coach in the Atlanta area.
Should Georgia Tech proceed with the move, Smith’s departure would mean TCU has to hire its third running backs coach since Dykes took over the program after the 2021 season. Under Smith, former TCU running back Emani Bailey sprinted for over 1,200 yards in 2023, when the Horned Frogs went 5-7. The Horned Frogs struggled to run the ball effectively in 2024, ultimately losing starting running back Cam Cook to the transfer portal. Cook went for 1,659 yards and 16 touchdowns on 295 carries at Jacksonville State this season.
TCU fared better on the ground in 2025, with sophomore Jeremy Payne closing out the year in strong fashion and finishing with 623 yards and five scores on 110 carries (5.7. yards per carry). The Horned Frogs also added a veteran transfer in former UTSA running back Kevorian Barnes, who ran for 443 yards and three scores on 97 carries (4.6 yards per carry) despite being limited to seven games because of injuries.
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