Terry Smith has been named Penn State's interim football coach in the wake of James Franklin's firing. Here's what to know about the Nittany Lions' new leader.

Now in his 12th year at Penn State, Smith entered this season for his fifth year as associate head coach of the Nittany Lions.

Smith, who was born in Aliquippa and later lived in the Monroeville area, joined Penn State in 2014 as the team's defensive recruiting coordinator and cornerbacks coach. 

During his time at Penn State, Smith has been responsible for helping develop cornerbacks, several of whom were drafted into the NFL including Joey Porter, Jr., Daequan Hardy, Kalen King, and others.

In 2013, Smith became the wide receivers coach at Temple University in Philadelphia, coaching under Penn State alum Matt Rhule, who is now the head coach at the University of Nebraska. 

Prior to making the jump to coaching in college, Smith coached high school football in the Pittsburgh area for over a decade at his alma mater Gateway High School in Monroeville.

During his 11 years at Gateway, Smith led  the team to four WPIAL championship game appearances in a six year span. 

Smith's record at Gateway during his time there as head coach was 101-30. He was inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame in 2018.

As a player, Smith won two WPIAL titles at Gateway and started at the wide receiver position for Penn State for three years, ranking in the top 20 in several career statistics including receiving touchdowns, receiving yards, and catches.

After graduating from Penn State in 1991, Smith played several professional football seasons between the NFL, CFL, and AFL.