UPDATED May 7, 2026
AJ Smith was named running backs coach and director of player personnel by first-year head coach Terrence Isaac in March of 2026.
Smith comes to Detroit after spending the last two seasons (2024-2025) as linebackers coach at Rochester Community and Technical College.Â
In his first year at RCTC in 2024, Smith mentored a pair of NJCAA All-Region 13 selections in Javieane Stevens and Trei Ginn. Stevens recorded a team-leading 65 tackles (51-14) in 10 games, including 16.5 sacks, along with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.  Meanwhile, Ginn had 43 tackles (40-3) including 7.5 sacks, two interceptions, two pass break-ups and a blocked kick.
In addition, he tutored Second Team All-MCAC (Minnesota College Athletic Conference) honoree Noah Courington, who notched 38 tackles (33-5) plus had two forced fumbles.
In 2025, RCTC won eight consecutive games before falling in the MCAC title contest. Â That season, Smith guided Courington to a Second Team All-MCAC selection after totaling 52 stops (33-19), including eight for loss, while T'Kyerian Gray was an Honorable Mention All-MCAC recipient after leading the Yellowjackets in tackles with 66 (50-16).
Smith earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a minor in Sports Management from Southern New Hampshire University in 2026.
He played both running back and linebacker at Thorsby High School in Thorsby, Ala., and earned First Team All-Country recognition at both positions. Smith started at both spots each of his last three seasons, helping the Rebels to three consecutive playoff appearances.
During his post-graduate year with the JPG Hawks in Birmingham, Ala. during the 2022 season, Smith received an invitation to play in the Post-Grad Recruits Bowl.
A native of Clanton, Ala., Smith and his wife Rylie reside in Metro Detroit.
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