Sources tell FootballScoop Pete Sturrsma and the Flying Dutchmen of Hope College are set to bring a top defensive mind that has spent the past several seasons at the high school level to campus as their next defensive coordinator.
Alex Smith, who spent the last two seasons as the defensive coordinator at East Kentwood HS, one of the largest high schools in the state of Michigan, has emerged as the top choice to take over the Hope defense following a national search.
A official announcement, pending the required final clearances, is expected by the end of the week, but could come as early as today.
In just his mid-30's, Smith is a veteran high school defensive coordinator with multiple successful stops in The Mitten State, including Spring Lake, Grand Rapids Christian, and Muskegon Reeths Puffer. He spent one season as the head coach at Holton, leading the team to the playoffs in his lone season at the helm.
The past two seasons he spent helping East Kentwood head coach Ty Spencer lead a resurgence of the Grand Rapids area program. After a 5-5 first season under Spencer, the Falcons had a breakout year in 2025, finishing 10-3 last fall with a deep playoff run to to the Division I semifinals before falling to eventual state champion Detroit Catholic Central. East Kentwood posted a new opportunity on the Falcons staff on High School Scoop yesterday.
A former defensive end at Central Michigan, Smith spent time at the college level at Austin Peay (FCS - TN) early in his coaching career.
Hope is coming off a 9-1 regular season last fall, and had put together an 11-1 campaign in 2024. Under head coach Pete Stuursma the last four seasons, the program is on an impressive upward trajectory, going 28-4 over the last three years.
Last year Hope advanced to the Division III playoffs for the second straight season before they lost a tight 9-7 game to UW-La Crosse in the opening round.
At Hope, Smith will replace Jacob Pardonnet, a former Hope graduate turned defensive coordinator for the program who left for the opportunity to coordinate a Division II defense at Saginaw Valley State (D-II - MI).
Pardonnet, a former three-year starter and two-time All Conference performer for the school, led the team's defense the past four seasons, and over the past two seasons was the architect of a defense that ranked among the top 20 nationally.
In 2024, under Pardonnet, Hope ranked eighth in the nation in rush defense allowing just over 61 yards per game, and also ranked among the top 15 in scoring defense (10th) and total defense (14th). The Flying Dutchmen finished 11-1 that 2024 campaign, went unbeaten in MIAA play, and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time in school history.
While a national search was conducted, the new play caller for the Hope defense continues a trend of Sturrsma finding top coaching talent in his own backyard from the Michigan high school ranks. A decorated former high school head coach himself who won five-straight state titles as the head coach at East Grand Rapids HS (MI), the move continues a stockpile of talented former high school coaches for Stuurs and the Holland-based program that includes former Grandville HS (MI) defensive coordinator KJ Landis - who coaches the safeties, as well as former Comstock Park HS (MI) defensive coordinator and Benton Harbor (MI) head coach Jinks Arnold, who coordinates the special teams and coaches the corners. The offensive side of the ball features former high school head coaches as well in Jim Caserta (Holland Christian and West Ottawa), and Matt Bird (Grand Ledge and Reeths Puffer).
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.