Eastern Kentucky University Athletics

Maxwell Smith was hired as EKU's quarterbacks coach in February 2023.

In Smith's first season, quarterback Parker McKinney was named First Team All-UAC with 3,033 yards passing with 20 touchdowns adding to his all-time school records in both categories. McKinney finished his career with 12,751 yards passing with 94 touchdowns with a completion percentage of 63.

McKinney finished fourth in all of FCS football on the year in total offense averaging 296.2 yards per game and 25th in points responsible with 142.

McKinney threw for over 200 yards in all but two games on the year, with one of those coming against Cincinnati of the Big XII. McKinney also recorded at least one touchdown pass in every game in 2023.

Before arriving in Richmond, Smith served as the quarterbacks coach at Heidelberg University for two seasons. Under Smith's tutelage, Heidelberg quarterback Drew Sims ranked in the top-10 nationally in yards per completion in 2021 and 2022. Sims was also an All-OAC selection following the 2021 season. 

Prior to joining the staff at Heidelberg, Smith coached for three seasons at Kentucky as a grad assistant.  

As a player, Smith started 11 games at quarterback for Kentucky. In 2013, he led the Wildcats in passing, throwing for 1,276 yards and nine touchdowns against just one interception. Smith was a Freshman All-SEC performer in 2011, setting a UK school record for most passing yards by a true freshman with a 283-yard performance against Ole Miss. 

Smith transferred to San Diego State in 2015 and won the starting job for the Aztecs. The Granada Hills, Calif., native threw for 1,529 yards and 13 touchdowns while setting an SDSU record by going 10 consecutive games without throwing an interception. As the starter, Smith guided the Aztecs to seven consecutive wins as SDSU captured the Mountain West Conference championship and won the Hawaii Bowl.