Penn State football has hired Northwestern defensive line coach Christian Smith in a defensive assistant role, the team announced on Friday afternoon. Smith will primarily coach the edge rushers for the Nittany Lions.

Smith wrapped up his third season with the Wildcats in 2025. He was selected to the American Football Coaches Association 35 under 35, which recognizes future leaders in football coaching.

Before his time on Northwestern’s staff, Smith spent six years at South Dakota State, winning the 2022 FCS National Championship. He led the Jackrabbits’ defense to 88.1 rushing yards allowed per game, first in the FCS. They also finished fourth in sacks with 39.

Throughout Smith’s four years as defensive line coach with the Jackrabbits, they held opponents to 16.58 points per game and 106.4 rushing yards per game.

Smith played defensive end for the Toledo Rockets from 2010 to 2013, where he ended his collegiate career with 80 tackles, five sacks, and four forced fumbles. Matt Campbell was elevated to head coach ahead of the 2012 season, where he stayed put until taking the Iowa State job after 2015.

Campbell brought Smith on as a graduate assistant in Ames, Iowa, where his role consisted of defensive line and outside linebackers work. He’s now ready to take on a similar role on Campbell’s first Penn State staff.