Bill Smith played football at Russellville High School where he was named All-State as a punter/kicker his junior and senior seasons (1966-67). Smith later received his degree from the University of North Alabama.

Smiths first head coaching job came at Mount Hope High School in 1975. His first three teams went a combined 4-26 before he jumped at the chance to move to Hackleburg in 1978.

He remained with the Hackleburg program for eleven season. Smiths 1983 Panthers finished the season with an 11-1 record. Smiths teams at Hackleburg won four area titles and advanced to the state playoffs five times.

Coach Smith moved to Red Bay in 1989 for a three season stint that produced a 31-5 record with three playoff appearances and three region championships. His 1990 squad reached the semi-finals of the playoffs.

Phil Campbell was the next stop for Coach Smith where his Bobcat teams went 18-24 over the next four years. Sulligent came calling in 1997 and Smith answered with three good years and two more playoff spots.

After serving as the head coach at Vina (2000-2009) and Tharptown (2010-2014), Coach Smith had put in almost forty years as a head football coach in Alabama. His overall football coaching record is 178-230 during his tenure as a head coach. Thirteen of his teams won area and region titles and qualified for the playoffs.