Murray State University Athletics
Wright Adds Coordinators to 2024 Coaching Staff
2/2/2024 1:44:00 PM | Football
Jimmy Ogle named Co-Offensive Coordinator, Ryan Smith named Defensive Coordinator
Murray State head football coach Jody Wright announced the hiring of Jimmy Ogle and Ryan Smith on Friday morning. Ogle and Smith become the first two additions to Coach Wright's staff as Ogle will serve as co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach, while Smith will serve as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.Â
Jimmy Ogle- Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends
Ogle joins the Racers after seeing unprecedented success at Jacksonville State across two decades. Serving from 2000-21 on the Gamecocks offensive staff, Ogle worked as the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach throughout the most successful span in program history from 2015-21 and was on staff for eight Ohio Valley Conference Championships and 10 FCS playoff appearances.
"I'm fired up to add Jimmy Ogle to our staff, he is someone that coached me in college and I have also coached with," Coach Wright said. "He is a man of the highest character and has over 20 years of coaching experience at a championship level. He has coordinated some of the top offenses in FCS in his career at Jax State, is an excellent recruiter, and has a tremendous track record of developing players. His wonderful wife Kaci and his family will be a tremendous addition to staff."
Throughout his time as offensive coordinator, JSU won a remarkable five OVC Championships and made an appearance in the FCS National Championship Game in 2015. During Ogle's tenure, his team's finished with a national ranking in the top-15 six times from 2014-20 and five times inside the top-10.Â
From 2014-20, Ogle's offense led the OVC in total offense on six different occasions while leading the league in rushing four times and JSU averaged over 400 yards per game in all but one of those seasons.Â
Prior to serving as the offensive coordinator, Ogle oversaw one of the most prolific running back units in the nation at JSU. As the running backs coach from 2001-14, Ogle led the Gamecocks rushing attack that led the OVC in nine seasons and set a school record with 300.7 rushing yards per game in 2015 and 510.8 total yards per game in 2014. Â
With an emphasis on recruiting and player development, Ogle has coached 26 All-Americans and 40 All-Conference players in his illustrious career. Coaching ten 1000+ yard rushers, Ogle oversaw the development of JSU and OVC greats Rondy Rogers, Two-time Super Bowl champion Kory Chapman, and All-Americans Oscar Bonds, Clay Green, Demarcus James, Eli Jenkins, Troymaine Pope, and Roc Thomas.
Troymaine Pope particularly stands out among the best that Ogle coached. His 1788 yards in 2015 set JSU and OVC records on his way to FCS Running Back of the Year and All-American honors. Chapman saw success in the professional game with Super Bowl wins with the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots.
Before his stint at Jacksonville State, Ogle spent time both as a player and student assistant for the Tennessee Volunteers. As a player, Ogle played long snapper and helped the Vols to wins of the Fiesta, Citrus, and Hall of Fame bowls. After his playing career, he served as a student assistant for quarterbacks and tight ends at UT from 1994-97 working with all-time great Peyton Manning. The Vols would go on to win the 1994 Gator Bowl, back-to-back wins in the Citrus Bowl over Ohio State in 1995 and Northwestern in 1996. In 1997, Tennessee won the SEC championship with a win over Auburn.Â
Ogle and his wife, Kaci, have one daughter, Abbie, and one son, Jim.Â
Ryan Smith- Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Smith comes to the Racers after leading one of the most dominant defenses in the nation at Florida A&M. Working from 2018-23 at FAMU, Smith was linebackers coach, recruiting coordinator, and director of player personnel before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2020.
"Ryan Smith is a phenomenal addition to our coaching staff, I'm excited to be reunited with him as our Defensive Coordinator," Coach Wright said. He has been the leader of one of the best defenses in FCS the past several seasons, and we are excited to have him join us here at Murray State. Ryan is a relentless recruiter and has tremendous relationships in our recruiting footprint. He has developed many NFL players in his time in the SEC and at FAMU. His wife Tracey and family will be great additions to the Murray State family."Â
The Rattlers defense has been among the nation's best since Smith took over the unit, solidified by the 2023 team that ranked second in total defense nationally, allowing just 260 yards per game. FAMU finished in the top-10 nationally in sacks, red zone defense and passing defense and top-five nationally in interceptions, rushing defense, defensive touchdowns, tackles-for-loss, scoring defense, third down defense, and defensive pass efficiency.Â
Florida A&M went 12-1 in 2023 and took home the SWAC title and won the Celebration Bowl over Howard. In 2022, FAMU picked up a 9-2 record as the Rattlers ranked top-25 nationally in five defensive categories and top ten nationally in three. In 2021, Smith helped lead one of the best defenses in Rattlers' history as they ranked top-25 nationally in 15 different categories and top-10 in nine categories.
Smith played a vital role in developing multiple All-Americans and a Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year) winner in Isaiah Land who led the nation in sacks (19) and tackles-for-loss (25.5). Smith coached Isaiah Major who earned SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and Stats Perform Second Team All-American honors in 2023 and also helped in the development of current Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell.
Prior to his time at FAMU, Smith worked at Florida as the assistant recruiting coordinator from 2016-18. During his tenure with the Gators, Smith helped recruit three straight top-15 classes nationally.Â
In 2015, Smith worked under legendary coach Nick Saban as an offensive quality control coach for Alabama. In his year with the Crimson Tide, they won the College Football Playoff National Championship and current All-Pro running back Derrick Henry won the Heisman Trophy.
Before joining the collegiate coaching ranks, the Perry, Fla. native served as the head coach of three high school football programs in Florida.
Smith played football at Valdosta State as a defensive lineman and earned his bachelor's degree in Physical Education Fitness. He became a student assistant coach in 1999.
Smith is married to his wife, Tracey and they have two children, Brady and Jordan.
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Murray State Football season ticket deposits are now being accepted for the 2024 season for just $20 each. For more information, contact the Murray State Ticket Office at (270) 809-3000.
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