Jerry Smith graduated from Crossville High School. Smith accepted his first head coaching position at Gaston High School in 1977. He led the Bulldogs for the next nine years. Smiths 1984 team finished the regular season undefeated before falling in the second round of the playoffs.

Following the 1985 season, he stepped down at Gaston to accept the head football job at Sardis High School. Smiths 1988 Lions completed a perfect 10-0 regular season before once again losing in the second round of the state playoffs.

After three year at Sardis, Coach Smith returned to his alma mater, Crossville High School, for the 1989 season. In five seasons at Crossville, his teams went 25-28 with two playoff appearances.

Following the 1993 football season, Smith returned to Sardis for another five year run but the previous success at the school did not return. His last two teams in 1997-98 finished 0-10 as he closed out his head coaching career.

Coach Smiths overall football record is 120-109 in 22 seasons as a head football coach in Alabama. His teams won four area titles and made eight playoff appearances.