Rock Bridge football hires Mizzou legend, former NFL player Justin Smith to coaching staff
A Missouri football legend and former NFL player will coach in Columbia this fall.
Rock Bridge football has hired Justin Smith to its coaching staff, the school announced. Smith will coach defensive ends for the Bruins.
New Bruins head coach Matt Perkins told the Tribune that Smith has ties to the school with his son a year away from attending Rock Bridge and wanted to get involved.
Smith is a Class of 2022 Missouri Sports Hall of Famer.
As a star defensive end at Missouri, Smith was a first-team All-American in 2000 and a two-time All-Big 12 first-team selection. Smith left Missouri as the Tigers' all-time sacks leader with 22 1/2. He set that record in only three seasons.
Smith declared for the NFL Draft after his junior season and was the fourth overall selection by the Cincinnati Bengals.
He played 14 seasons in NFL with the Bengals and San Francisco 49ers. During his career, he recorded 87 sacks and 17 forced fumbles. Smith was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time NFL first-team All-Pro.
Smith will face Jefferson City, his alma mater, this season as the Jays' Central Missouri Activities Conference rival. During his career at JCHS, Smith earned all-state honors and was a two-time all-district choice.
Smith was announced as part of Rock Bridge unveiling its football coaching staff Saturday. The new staff will feature Kole Hinton and Ethan Smith as offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively.
The Bruins open the 2022 season Aug. 26 at Park Hill South.
Chris Kwiecinski is the sports editor for the Columbia Daily Tribune, overseeing University of Missouri and Boone County sports coverage. Follow him on Twitter @OchoK_ and contact him at CKwiecinsk@gannett.com or 573-815-1857.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Mizzou legend Justin Smith to join Rock Bridge football staff
