In an intriguing coaching move, sixth-year head coach Shane Beamer has rounded out his staff with the addition of special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley. This development, shared by ESPN’s Pete Thamel, marks Smiley’s return to the sidelines after a year away from coaching.
Smiley brings a wealth of experience from his eight-year tenure with the Buffalo Bills. Initially serving as an assistant special teams coordinator, he was promoted for the final three seasons before parting ways after the 2024 season. While reports suggest he spent the 2025 season at Penn State, he doesn’t appear on their official roster.
Smiley’s coaching journey began at Dartmouth in 2005, where he worked as an assistant quarterbacks and specialists coach. He steps in to fill the shoes of Joe DeCamillis, who recently departed to join the Las Vegas Raiders. This transition had been in the works for about a week, prompting Beamer to actively seek a replacement even before DeCamillis’ move was officially announced.
With Smiley on board, Beamer’s staff gains a seasoned strategist poised to make an impact. Fans will be eager to see how this change influences the team’s performance on special teams moving forward.