San Angelo Central Introduces New Head Football Coach

SAN ANGELO, TX - The San Angelo ISD and Central High School announced Coach Mark Smith as the new Athletic Coordinator for Bobcat Athletics and Head Football Coach Friday, Feb. 2. 

According to information provided by the school, Coach Smith has more than 24 years of experience coaching both high school and college football, and most recently served as the Defensive Analyst for the University of Oklahoma. 

“We are excited to welcome Coach Smith and his family back to West Texas and more importantly to the San Angelo community,” said Executive Director of Athletics Coach Rodney Chant. “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.”  

Coach Smith is no stranger to our West Texas community as he grew up and attended college in Abilene, Texas. 

During his coaching tenure, he has made stops at high schools and universities such as 5A Colleyville Heritage High School, 6A MacArthur High School, and 6A L.D. Bell High School, University of Oklahoma, Southern Methodist University, University of Arkansas, Long Island University, and University of Colorado. 

Coach Smith’s philosophy is “comprehensive student-athlete success” focused on building students who are successful on and off the field. 

“I believe we can achieve an ‘AND’ scenario when it comes to comprehensive student-athlete success,” Coach 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.’”  

While on and off the field, Coach Smith’s coaching style is more than just building solid athletes. 

He also believes in building leadership and life skills including positive attitudes, genuine kindness, and showing respect to gain respect. 

Coach Smith takes a nurturing approach to teaching and adapts to each student’s learning style while also engaging players and encouraging them to take ownership, according to the school.   

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 Board of Directors. 

San Angelo ISD worked with Dr. Curtis Culwell, in the search to fill the Central High School Athletic Coordinator/Head Football Coach position. 

Dr. Culwell is a former Superintendent in Lubbock and Garland, Texas, and a long-time member of the University Scholastic League Legislative Committee. 

San Angelo ISD and Dr. Culwell considered several noteworthy candidates before selecting Coach Smith. 

The Bobcat football staff and players were informed of Coach Smith’s selection in a team meeting on the morning of Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. 

Coach Smith and his wife, Michelle, have 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,” the school district stated in a press release. “San Angelo ISD and Bobcat Athletics are excited to usher in a new era under Coach Smith’s leadership.”