PITTSBURG — Pittsburg State University head football coach Tom Anthony announced today (Dec. 2) that assistant coach Mark Smith has been elevated to the role of the Gorillas' offensive coordinator.

Smith has served as wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator on the Pitt State staff the past two seasons (2024-25). In addition to serving as offensive coordinator, Smith also will coach the Gorillas' quarterbacks.

Smith returned to his alma mater after serving as head football coach at Frontenac High School the previous 12 seasons. He fashioned a 94-38 (.712) record during his tenure, leading the Raiders to the Kansas Class 4A-II state runner-up finish in 2017 and the Kansas Class 3A state runner-up finish in 2021. His teams reached the state quarterfinals, or beyond, eight times.

The Pittsburg native and St. Mary's-Colgan High School product compiled a 24-6 record as Pitt State's starting quarterback between 2006-08. He twice earned honorable mention NCAA Division II All-America honors, passing for 5,190 yards and 40 touchdowns and rushing for 2,364 yards and 29 scores.

Following his playing career, Smith served as a graduate assistant at Pitt State during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. He was inducted into the PSU Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2024.

With Smith's promotion into the OC position, assistant coach Gregg Hollins will now serve as the Gorillas' wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator. He previously served as tight ends coach and special teams coordinator. Hollins will retain his special teams coordinator duties.

"Mark Smith is poised for this moment to lead our offensive staff," Anthony said. "We have enjoyed a great deal of success on the offensive side of the ball the past two years, and I think Mark's leadership and passion for Gorilla football will help push our team to even greater heights moving forward."

Pitt State, the No. 6 ranked team in NCAA Division II, just completed the 2025 campaign with a 10-3 record Saturday (Nov. 29) after falling in the second round of the D2 playoffs to No. 2 Harding University, 37-21, at Searcy, Ark. The Gorillas captured a share of the 2025 MIAA Championship, the program's third conference crown in four seasons, and Pitt State made its fourth consecutive trip to Division II postseason play.