Will Smart begins his first season as a defensive quality control coach for the Packers. Smart comes to Green Bay from Vanderbilt University, where he served as a pass-rush specialist for the Commodores in 2025 before being promoted to outside linebackers/edges coach early in 2026.

Will Smart begins his first season as a defensive quality control coach for the Packers. Smart comes to Green Bay from Vanderbilt University, where he served as a pass-rush specialist for the Commodores in 2025 before being promoted to outside linebackers/edges coach early in 2026.

Smart was a part of a Vanderbilt staff in 2025 that helped the Commodores register their first 10-win season in program history as well as a school-record six SEC wins. Following their win over No. 10-ranked LSU on Oct. 18, Vanderbilt's first victory over the Tigers since 1990, the Commodores were ranked No. 10 in the country, the first time they had been ranked in the top 10 of The Associated Press rankings since 1947.

Vanderbilt ranked No. 18 in the country in run defense last season, allowing an average of 108.2 yards per game that was its top mark since 1997 (106.3 ypg). The Commodores limited their opponents to 100 or fewer rushing yards in seven of 13 contests and allowed an average of 3.7 yards per carry. Edge rusher Miles Capers led the team with a career-high 4½ sacks and a career-best 9½ tackles for a loss.

Smart spent the previous three seasons at Wake Forest, where he served as a graduate assistant for one season (2024) and a student assistant for two seasons (2022-23). In 2024, the Demon Deacons had 10 different players register an interception, tied for No. 7 in the country and tied for the second most by Wake Forest dating back to 1976. In 2023, DL Jasheen Davis ranked No. 3 in the ACC in tackles for a loss with a career-high 17.

In 2022, Smart was part of a staff that helped the Demon Deacons post an 8-5 record and a win in the Gasparilla Bowl over Missouri. Smart worked with DL Kobie Turner in 2022, who posted 38 tackles (21 solo), two sacks and three forced fumbles and went on to be drafted in the third round (No. 89 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft by the L.A. Rams.

Smart played on the defensive line at Wake Forest (2019-21) for three seasons, appearing in five career games and posting five tackles, two tackles for a loss and a sack before injuries forced him to medically retire. During his time as a player, he was twice selected to the ACC Academic Honor Roll.

Smart was born on Dec. 13, 2000, in Morristown, N.J.