Coach Smart played football at Truckee High School from 1990-1994. During his senior year of high school, he was selected as an All-State linebacker on the 1993 State Championship team. After high school he went on to play at Sierra College where he earned the recognition of an All-Conference player as an offensive guard. He continued his college football career at Minot State University, ND where he earned recognition for first team All-Conference. While at Minot State he earned a BS degree in Business Management. After college he moved to Kona, HI and played semi-pro on the Kona Razorbacks football team as an inside linebacker. His team won the Tsunami Bowl in 2003. Coach Smart coached youth football in Minot, ND for one year and eleven years in Truckee, CA. He currently lives in Truckee with his wife and three children and is a Captain for Truckee Fire Protection District.