Offensive coordinator Chris Smith has stepped down from his role with the Holy Cross football team to accept a position with the New York Giants, where he will serve as an assistant offensive line coach.
"There is no place more special in the world for my family and me than Holy Cross," Smith said. "I cannot express enough gratitude for all that I have been given on The Hill — Holy Cross is at the foundation of all that I have gained as a football player and coach, and it is at the center of who I am today.
"My family and I will forever be Crusaders. We are unbelievably grateful for all that Worcester has given us and for how this school and city have shaped our lives. Holy Cross is the best place in the world to play college football — and we cannot wait to watch this team contend for a national championship this fall."
Smith helped guide Holy Cross to four straight Patriot League championships and NCAA football championship subdivision berths. In his first season as offensive coordinator in 2022, Smith helped lift the Holy Cross offense to new heights as the Crusaders set a program record for wins (12) and advanced to the NCAA FCS quarterfinals for the first time since 1983. The Crusaders ranked first in the nation in turnovers lost (6), fumbling just once. Holy Cross additionally ranked second in FCS in yards per completion (16.2), sixth in rushing offense (245.1 yards per game) and eighth in scoring offense (37.4 points per game). Twelve Crusaders earned All-Patriot League honors on offense, and for the first time in program history, two Holy Cross players (Peter Oliver and Matthew Sluka) rushed for over 1,000 yards in one season.
In Smith's tenure guiding the Crusaders' offensive line, Holy Cross has been widely respected as having one of the top offensive lines in all of FCS; in 2022, the Crusaders had all five of their starting offensive linemen earn All-Patriot League honors, and left tackle Luke Newman and center Nick Olsofka both earned All-America honors.
Smith is a 2009 graduate of Holy Cross and was a four-year starting center for the Crusaders. He earned second team All-Patriot League honors as a senior, and still holds the school record for the most consecutive games started (45). Smith was a four-time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll selection and was a semifinalist for the 2009 William V. Campbell Trophy, given annually to the nation's top scholar-athlete.
"I couldn't be more grateful to have spent the last five years coaching with Chris – he bleeds purple and truly embodies all that it means to be a Crusader," said Holy Cross head coach Bob Chesney. "Day in and day out, his passion for this school translated directly to new levels of success for this program. We couldn't be prouder of him, and we're thrilled for him, Natalie, Calvin and Nellie as they embrace this new opportunity. We cannot wait to watch his career continue to flourish."
Holy Cross will announce its full coaching staff for the 2023 season when it has been completed.
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