Raised in Daytona Beach, Florida, Smith played linebacker at Father Lopez Catholic High School, earning all-state honors.

Smith briefly played professionally for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League for the 1982 season before retiring as a player.

The first loss of the year against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was mitigated by winning Smith's first coach's challenge, on the spotting of the ball after a Roddy White reception in the third quarter, giving the Falcons a first down and keeping the drive alive.

[4] In 2009, Smith and the Falcons overcame a difficult schedule and several key injuries (to QB Ryan and RB Turner) to end with a 9–7 record and second place in the NFC South.

In 2011, the Falcons finished 10–6 and qualified for the playoffs,[7] but they lost in the Wild Card round to the eventual Super Bowl XLVI champions, the New York Giants.

In 2013, the Falcons slumped to a 4–12 record,[13] and Smith was eventually named the head coach of the North Team in the 2014 Senior Bowl.

[14] On December 28, 2014, multiple media outlets reported that the Falcons had hired Korn Ferry, a reputed firm, to assist in finding potential candidates to replace Smith should he be fired.

[18] In January 2020, Smith coached Team Aina in the Hula Bowl, a college football postseason all-star game.