Smith often hired his former players as his assistant coaches.
Walter Gordon who played on both offensive and defensive lines and became a third-team All American in 1918.
Shortly after graduating, he was hired as an assistant coach and likely became the first African-American coach at a predominantly white college or university.
Similarly, after graduating Brick Muller was hired by Smith to coach the defensive ends.

Smith's coaching tree includes:
Ernest Cozens
Charles F. Erb
Walter A. Gordon
Edwin C. Horrell
Leroy Mercer
Brick Muller
Alvin Pierson
Nibs Price
Crip Toomey
Smith often hired his former players as his assistant coaches. Walter Gordon who played on both offensive and defensive lines and became a third-team All American in 1918. Shortly after graduating, he was hired as an assistant coach and likely became the first African-American coach at a predominantly white college or university. Similarly, after graduating Brick Muller was hired by Smith to coach the defensive ends.
Smith's coaching tree includes:
Ernest Cozens
Charles F. Erb
Walter A. Gordon
Edwin C. Horrell
Leroy Mercer
Brick Muller
Alvin Pierson
Nibs Price
Crip Toomey
Andy Smith (American football)