Smelser Named Full-Time Coach At SAU

Magnolia, AR—Jason Smelser, a graduate assistant on the 2000 Southern Arkansas University football staff, has been promoted to full-time running backs coach for the Muleriders. The position was created when Jason Sanders, the defensive line coach last season, resigned to accept the head coaching position for the Stamps High School Yellowjackets. Sanders is a native of Stamps.

Smelser was a student assistant at SAU in 1999, coaching running backs. A graduate of SAU, Smelser had an outstanding collegiate career with the ‘Riders. He was a four-year letterman and three-year starter from 1995 to 1998. In 1997, Smelser was a vital part of SAU’s GSC championship drive in route to the NCAA Division II playoffs. He captured All-GSC honors in ’98.

Smelser played high school football at Monroe, La., Ouachita Christian but began his career at Magnolia Junior High. He received his B.S.E. in Kinesiology in May, 2000, and will complete his Master’s in August in Kinesiology. His wife, Wendy, is completing her undergraduate studies at SAU in Elementary Education. The Smelser’s have a daughter, Madison Marie, born March 30, 2000.

Sanders spent only one year as a full-time coach with the ‘Riders, but was a graduate assistant in 1999 when SAU finished with an 8-2 record. He completed his Master’s in Kinesiology degree while working on the ‘Rider staff. He previously turned down an assistant’s position in high school to remain with SAU.

He had previously worked for three years on the ‘Rider staff as a graduate assistant. He coached running backs when the ‘Riders won the GSC championship in 1997. In 1998, he coached at Texarkana, Tex., Pleasant Grove High School.

He graduated from SAU in 1998 with a B.S.E. degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Biological Science. He finished with a 3.65 grade-point average.

Sanders married the former Lori Higgs of New Boston, Tex., July 22, 2000, who will continue her education at SAU.

A new defensive line coach will be named at a later date.