BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – LIU football head coach Bryan Collins has announced the addition of two new staff members within the Sharks program: Super Bowl champion Jim Cordle, who will serve as the Offensive Coordinator, and Mark Smith, who will be the team's new Defensive Coordinator.

Smith joins the Sharks from the University of Arkansas, where he served as Defensive Backs Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. In two seasons, Smith mentored three defensive backs that have moved on to professional football, including 2019 NFL Draft Pick Kamren Curl. In his first full recruiting cycle as Recruiting Coordinator, Smith and the Arkansas staff achieved the highest ranked recruiting class in program history, at 23rd nationally. Prior to Arkansas, Smith spent three seasons at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Smith was an offensive assistant in 2015 and 2016 and a defensive assistant in 2017, all while serving as the programs Director of Recruiting. He joined the Mustangs with experience at both the college and high school levels, having served as a defensive assistant at the University of Oklahoma, and as a high school head coach in Texas at L.D. Bell.
 
For more on Coach Smith's experience, click here.
 
Cordle, a Super Bowl Champion, comes to LIU from Urbana University, where he spent three seasons as an assistant coach, including two as the team's offensive coordinator. Prior to Urbana, Cordle served as a graduate assistant for two seasons at Ohio State. Cordle played four seasons in the National Football League with the New York Giants, where he saw action in 36 games and made seven starts on the offensive line. The Lancaster, Ohio native was part of the Giants' Super Bowl XLVI championship team. Cordle was also a three-year starter on Ohio State teams that won Big Ten championships in 2007, 2008 and 2009. He started 33 times during those three seasons and played in 41 games combined at left tackle, left guard, center and right tackle.

For more on Coach Cordle's experience, click here.

ON COACH SMITH
Brent Venables (Defensive Coordinator, Clemson):
"Mark Smith is one of college football's brightest defensive coaches. He brings passion, attention to detail, and an incredibly strategic mind as one of the games up and coming innovators. What makes Mark special is that he is a terrific communicator with young people. He is a modern coach, and a relationship-driven Coach. He is genuine and authentic, and that is why his players love him."
 
Chad Morris (Offensive Coordinator, Auburn):
"LIU not only has added a great football coach to the staff, but they have gained a great family that will love and support the university, community, and players. I consider Mark Smith to be one of the top young minds in college football. His overall knowledge of football and recruiting will be a great asset to the program. You won't find a coach that will be more dedicated and work any harder than Coach Smith."
 
ON COACH CORDLE:
Greg Studrawa (Offensive Line Coach, Ohio State):
"Coach Jim Cordle has an exceptional passion for the game. He does a tremendous job developing offensive linemen."

Tyler Haines (Former Head Coach, Urbana University):
"Jim is a great father as well as coach. He treats his players like his sons. He has a sharp offensive mind and he understands space and angles. He was an excellent recruiter for us."