As Florida A&M's search drags on it perpetuity for that school's replacement to former head coach Willie Simmons, the Rattlers are poised to lose another key member of their highly successful coaching staff.
Sources tell FootballScoop that Ryan Smith, the FAMU defensive coordinator for the past several seasons, is leaving to run the defense for new Murray State head coach Jody Wright.
It's a move that upon its finalization further strengthens Wright's inaugural Racers staff; both Wright, at South Carolina, and Smith, formerly at Florida, have SEC experience.
Smith worked in the recruiting department at Florida under former Gators and current Central Michigan head coach Jim McElwain.
A former letterwinner at Valdosta State, Smith carved a successful high school coaching career in Florida before he transitioned to the collegiate game on McElwain's staff.
He then climbed from defensive assistant under Simmons at FAMU to defensive coordinator by 2020 and then added the role of associate head coach last year.
The Rattlers closed 2023 12-1 and triumphed over Howard University in the Celebration Bowl.
In so doing, Smith was a finalist for FootballScoop's 2023 FCS Coordinator of the Year.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest coaching news.