CRAIG SMITH is in his fourth season since returning to Christopher Newport University as the Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receivers coach of the Captains. Smith re-joined the football staff when Paul Crowley took over as Head Coach in 2022, and will be in his sixth season overall at CNU as the Captains celebrate 25 years of football in 2025.
Smith has led a powerful CNU offensive attack in recent years, led by quarterbacks Matt Dzierski and Connor Barry; running backs Gunner White and Jordin Lennon; and wide receivers Colin Hart and Trey Hayes. CNU's point production improved from 27.7 per game in 2023 to 36.9 in 2024. The Captains also went from 141.2 to 180.8 yards per game rushing, and 196.9 yards passing per game to 238.6 yards per game in the same time period. His offensive unit in 2023 helped lead the Captains to their first title in the New Jersey Athletic Conference.
Smith was first a part of the CNU staff in 2013 and 2014, when he was initially safeties coach and then became wide receivers coach, helping the Captains claim a USA South title in 2014.
Before returning to CNU, Smith spent time on the staff at his alma mater, Bridgewater College, where he was the Passing Game Coordinator on offense and Co-Special Teams Coordinator. He also held the role of Recruiting Coordinator for the Eagles in the 2019 season. Smith helped Bridgewater football return to the NCAA tournament in 2019, when the Eagles went 10-1 to clinch the ODAC championship.
Smith won four ODAC championships as a student-athlete with the Eagles, from 2002 through 2005. Bridgewater went 50-10 over his time with the program, reaching the NCAA semifinals in 2003 and NCAA quarterfinals in 2002 and 2005.
Smith's coaching career includes four years in Rocky Mount at North Carolina Wesleyan, where he was the Special Teams Coordinator, Wide Receivers Coach and Strength & Conditioning Coordinator. Smith has coached two All-American wide receivers, Rudy Rudolph of Christopher Newport, and Malik Adams of North Carolina Wesleyan..
Smith's resume also includes three years at Bluffton University, where he eventually rose to the position of Offensive Coordinator in 2012. He coached quarterbacks, receivers, and special teams while directing strength & conditioning, operations and the passing game. He also was the Special Teams Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach at John Carroll University in Cleveland Ohio, from 2008 to 09, and coached safeties at Saint Vincent College in 2007.
Smith received his bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science from Bridgewater in 2006.
