Texas Tech Hires Jacquies Smith From Atlanta Falcons

Smith to join Red Raiders as new outside linebackers coach

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Texas Tech is finalizing a deal to hire Jacquies Smith, the Atlanta Falcons' outside linebackers coach for the past two seasons, to join the Red Raiders' coaching staff in the same role.

Why it matters

Smith's NFL experience developing edge rushers like James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker, who combined for 16 sacks as rookies in 2025, should help bolster Texas Tech's defense. As a Dallas native, he also brings strong recruiting ties to the talent-rich DFW area.

The details

Smith previously served as a defensive quality control coach at Louisiana-Lafayette from 2019-22 and coached linebackers at Episcopal School of Dallas from 2016-18. He played his college football at Missouri, earning Second-Team All-Big 12 honors as a senior, before appearing in 37 career NFL games. Smith is expected to replace C.J. Ah You, who recently accepted a position with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

  • Smith has spent the past two seasons as the Atlanta Falcons' outside linebackers coach.
  • In 2023, Smith spent the season at Texas as an assistant edge coach.

The players

Jacquies Smith

A Dallas native and South Oak Cliff product, Smith is finalizing a deal to join Texas Tech as their new outside linebackers coach after spending the past two seasons in the same role with the Atlanta Falcons.

James Pearce Jr.

A rookie edge rusher who combined with Jalon Walker for 16 sacks in 2025 while playing under Smith's tutelage with the Falcons.

Jalon Walker

A rookie edge rusher who combined with James Pearce Jr. for 16 sacks in 2025 while playing under Smith's tutelage with the Falcons.

C.J. Ah You

The Texas Tech outside linebackers coach who recently accepted a position with the Pittsburgh Steelers, paving the way for Smith's hire.

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What’s next

Smith is expected to join the Texas Tech coaching staff in the coming days and begin recruiting in the DFW area.

The takeaway

Texas Tech is bringing in an NFL-experienced coach in Jacquies Smith to help develop their edge rushers and bolster the Red Raiders' defense, while also tapping into his strong recruiting ties in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.