Clinton Smith, Jr., who served as the quarterbacks coach and director of football operations for the past year at Tuskegee, was moved to receivers coach and added the role of recruiting coordinator to his duties with under head coach Aaron James for 2025.
Last season, Smith transitioned back to coaching quarterbacks, a spot he had not held since the 2021 season at Miles. Smith mentored a group that showed growth throughout the season, improving their decision-making and efficiency. Tuskegee’s quarterbacks combined for a solid year under center, contributing significantly to the team’s offensive production. The Golden Tigers threw for a total of 1,993 yards and 15 touchdowns, completing 150 of 283 pass attempts with nine interceptions for a 53.0 percent completion rate and an average of 181.2 passing yards per game. Leading the way was junior quarterback Raequan Beal, who started all 11 games. Beal completed 110 of 202 passes (54.5 percent) for 1,511 yards and 14 touchdowns while throwing seven interceptions. He averaged 137.4 passing yards per game and finished the year with a quarterback efficiency rating of 133.23.
In 2023, Smith expanded his role, adding Director of Football Operations to his responsibilities while continuing to coach wide receivers. The Golden Tigers finished 7-3 overall and 6-2 in the SIAC. Despite injuries and quarterback changes throughout the season, the receivers remained a strength of the team. Meeks again led the unit, recording 745 yards and five touchdowns, while Corey Petty added 508 yards and two scores. The team’s passing offense tallied 1,996 yards on the year.
In his first season with the Golden Tigers, Clinton Smith Jr. served as the wide receivers coach for Tuskegee. The Golden Tigers went 8-3 overall and 6-0 in SIAC West Division play. Under Smith’s guidance, the receiving corps flourished, highlighted by Antonio Meeks, who led the team with 692 receiving yards and six touchdowns, averaging over 22 yards per catch. The team’s passing offense accounted for 1,932 yards and 16 touchdowns, playing a pivotal role in securing a berth in the SIAC Championship game. Smith’s work helped develop a consistent and explosive aerial attack, contributing to one of the most balanced Tuskegee offenses in recent years.
In his lone season with the Golden Bears, Smith helped the program earn their third consecutive Western Division crown before falling in the SIAC Championship game. Under Smith’s direction, the Miles quarterbacks produced over 2,000 passing yards and 19 touchdowns while completing 54.7 percent of their passes. The lead quarterback, Claude Newell, passed for 1,328 yards and 10 touchdowns with a 143.1 passer rating across 10 games. He was supported by backup Claude Newell III, who completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 240 yards and two scores in just two games. Together, the quarterback room had a combined 135 completions on 247 attempts for 2,042 yards, 19 touchdowns, and only six interceptions, averaging over 185 passing yards per game.
Prior to joining Miles, Smith proved to be a prominent high school coach in the state of Alabama after six years as the head coach at Hillcrest-Evergreen (Ala.) High School where he led the Jaguars to six straight Alabama 3A Playoff appearances. Smith and his staff won the 3A State Championship in 2017 after defeating Randolph County, 26-14, setting school records for wins and points scored in a season.
Smith compiled a 48-29 record at Hillcrest-Evergreen and was also named the Conecuh County Coach of the Year and H.O.P.E. Organization Coach of the Year in 2015, while being named the NFHS Coach of the Year for the state of Alabama in 2018. The Jaguars had only had eight winning seasons total since 1989, yet had 18 All-State players in the six years under Smith, while twenty-six players went on to sign college scholarships.
Prior to his return to Hillcrest-Evergreen, He spent one season as the offensive coordinator at George Washing Carver (Ala.) Senior High School in 2013 where he helped lead the Wolverines to a 10-3 record and to the 6A State quarterfinals round in the playoffs. Carver finished the year averaging 32.5 points per game and saw 23 seniors sign national letters of intent.
Smith spent the previous seven years as an assistant coach for football and baseball at Hillcrest, including the final three as the offensive coordinator. The Jaguars baseball program also earned their first playoff appearance in school history in 2013 under his leadership.
After beginning his collegiate career at Murray State, Smith returned to his home state to play quarterback for Alabama State (2003-05) where he helped win back-to-back SWAC Western Division titles, along with winning the conference in 2004 after defeating Southern, 40-35. He was also a part of the Hornet baseball program in 2006, and fielded offers from two semiprofessional football teams – Montgomery Bears (2007) and Birmingham Warriors (2012) before going into coaching full time.
The native of Choctaw County was a four-year letter winner (1997-2001) for the Tigers where he played baseball, basketball and football. He is still the only quarterback from Choctaw County High School to earn All-State honors.
Smith is a two time graduate of Alabama State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 2007 and a master’s in physical education in 2010.
He and his wife, Kemeshia, have three children, Kirsten, Clinton III, and Kinsley.
