Panthers celebrate strength coach Jed Smith’s two decades of leadership

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- For the past 20 years, Jed Smith has been a constant throughout the careers of countless UNI student-athletes as they entered the weight room, looking to become the best version of themselves.

After two decades as a member of the Panther staff, Smith will depart UNI on Friday, August 1 to begin a new chapter with a new coaching and teaching position at Waterloo Columbus Catholic High School.

"As Jed marked 20 years of service at UNI this summer, the news of his new opportunity is bittersweet," said UNI Director of Athletics Megan Franklin. "Coach Smith has put together a legacy career impacting countless student-athletes' lives as they pursued their dreams of playing sports at the highest level. While Jed has been called to serve in a new role with Waterloo Columbus, he leaves a legacy of transformational impact in student-athlete development in their physical, mental, and leadership skills. Student-athletes were prepared for their respective field of play thanks to the strength and conditioning programming under Jed's instruction. With gratitude, I wish Jed only the best in this next phase of his professional career."

Smith, a Cedar Rapids native, first came to UNI in June 2005 with a wide and varied background in strength training and conditioning. Prior to coming to the Cedar Valley, he was the explosive strength training coach for the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL, while also having assisted in coaching with the Minnesota Wild (NHL), Minnesota Thunder (USL) and the Penn State football program.

Beginning in June of 2002, Smith was an exercise and sports science instructor at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, Minnesota. He also served as the Minnesota USA Weightlifting Regional Training Center director during the same time frame and had several coaching assignments at Rosemount High School, including ninth grade boy's basketball and wrestling starting in 1996.

Smith served as Rosemount's strength training and conditioning coach for all sports from 1997-2002, was head boy's tennis coach from 2000-2002, and coached the school's Olympic weight lifting program from 1999-2002.

While at UNI, Smith helped develop strength and conditioning programs for nearly all Panther teams during his 20 years in Cedar Falls, notably working with numerous UNI football players who went on to play in the NFL, including Trevor Penning, Spencer Brown, David Johnson, Brandon Keith and Chad Rinehart among others.

Smith has remained heavily involved in the sport of Olympic weightlifting. He notably coached former UNI football player, Jason Fiacco, who captured a bronze medal at the 2006 Pan American Weightlifting Championships for Team USA.

An active community member, Smith also helped bring an Olympic Development Center to neighboring Waterloo and in 2007 worked with Cedar Valley Medical Specialists and XL Acceleration to open a non-profit training center in the area. Built with the goal of developing athletes from the grass-roots level up to elite status, it has helped athletes to compete at the national and international levels in the sports of weightlifting and taekwondo.

"I have been truly blessed in my 31 year career as a strength and conditioning coach to spend the last 20 years here at the University of Northern Iowa," Smith said. "It has been filled with wonderful memories, inspiring stories and an abundance of professional development and learning experiences. To the Cedar Valley community, thank you for embracing my wife and me when we came to town. Without you, we would have never chosen to make this our lifetime home. It is the quality of people that make this place special."

"To the administrators, coaches and support staff, thank you for working with me," Smith added. "To the numerous athletes I have had the honor and opportunity to coach, thank you for working with me. To all the students, interns and graduate assistants, again, I thank you for working with me. Finally, to my wife Tammy, thank you the most for your patience and willingness to sacrifice all of your precious time to work with me."

Smith earned a pair of bachelor's degrees from the University of Minnesota-Morris in 1994 and 1995 before receiving his master's in education with an emphasis in strength and conditioning from Hamline University in 2003. Smith currently lives with his wife, Tammy, and their three children, Mason, Maxwell, and Autumn.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT JED SMITH

"On the academic side, Jed's energy and experience has brought valuable real-world insights to our students, both within and outside of the classroom. I wish him the best as he takes on new professional adventures, and want to thank him for the top notch dedication he has provided for so many years to UNI." -Brenda Bass, Dean of the UNI College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

"We celebrate not just a strength coach, but a cornerstone of our program. Coach Jed's dedication, passion, and unwavering support have transformed our athletes, instilling in them the resilience and work ethic that define our team, and developing them into the impact men our communities need. Thank you for every early morning, every late night, and every moment you pushed us to be our best. The impact you made and the life lessons that you taught daily will be felt for years to come. You will always be my friend and a part of our family." - Todd Stepsis, UNI Head Football Coach

"Jed has been an absolute workhorse for our department. From teaching a wide range of strength and conditioning classes to bringing high energy and creativity to the strength and conditioning room each day, his contributions have been invaluable. He will be greatly missed!" - Dr. Fabio Fontana, Head of the UNI Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education

"I want to thank you personally for all that you've done for UNI Football, for being a great friend to me, my family and all the players that we've been a part of throughout our program. We've had some great teams, but think of all the careers and all the development that we've done over the years to get guys opportunities that they have today." - Mark Farley, Former UNI Head Football Coach (2001-24)

"You're a difference maker and your impact will forever go on. You don't just talk about things with our student-athletes, you're living that day in and day out and that just gains so much respect. Our student-athletes see you living it so they buy into it so much more." - Bobbi Petersen, UNI Head Volleyball Coach (2001-Pres.)

"Jed was able to help me fulfill my dream of playing in the NFL and a lot of that was on the physical side, and more importantly on the mental side. It's sad to see you leave the program at UNI, but I'm also excited to see what you can do at Columbus! Best of luck to you going forward!" - Chad Rinehart, Former NFL Guard (2008-14)

"Obviously it's a sad day for the Panthers, but Columbus is getting a good one and I'm excited to see all the young athletes that you impact going forward. You mean a lot to I think all of the athletes that you've touched, but definitely those volleyball girls for the years that I was there. We all love you! " - Karlie Scott, Former UNI Outside Hitter (2016-19)

"What an incredible resource Jed has been for UNI Athletics! I always appreciated how much he was always trying to learn and grow, and he is one of the best guys in his craft. He helped build guys mentally and physically. Gonna miss him!" - Doug Schwab, UNI Head Wrestling Coach (2010-Pres.)

"I'm very appreciative of you and all you've invested into me. I enjoyed our time together and you helping me in getting me bigger and stronger, working with me to change weight classes and to lift in a way that was friendly to my wrestling style. Best wishes!" - Drew Foster, Former UNI Wrestler & NCAA Champion (2014-19)

"Jed wasn't just our strength and conditioning coach. He did so much for our mental conditioning as well. And he always got us fired up! I learned so much more from him and how to motivate not just people around you, but how to be a great leader. They're getting a really good one at Columbus!" - Piper Thomas, Former UNI Middle Hitter (2015-18)

"Congrats on just an incredible career at UNI! You launched new and innovative programs, designed and improved facilities, built relationships and partnerships with the most unlikely people and organizations. But most importantly, you supported student athletes. Take care, my friend, and congratulations!" - Robin Lund, Detroit Tigers Assistant Pitching Coach (2023-Pres.)

"Jed, I just wanted to thank you for all your years as a UNI Panther. The standard you set there will always be the standard. Waterloo Columbus is getting a role model and a leader that will help raise their level of thought and raise their level of performance. You the man!" - Jim Miller, Former Wartburg Head Wrestling Coach & UNI Alum

"I want to congratulate Jed on building some great teams in your career and building some great individuals. You're a guy that can make a difference, and it doesn't have to be in just sports." - Dan Gable, Olympic Wrestling Champion (1972)

UNI Athletics action can be followed all year long on social media on Facebook (UNI Athletics), X (@UNIAthletics) and on Instagram (@uniathletics). Schedules and rosters, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.

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