CHAD SMITH
Coach Chad Smith is originally from Hillsboro, Oregon where he started wrestling at the age of 10 for USA Cobra Wrestling Club under the tutelage of Coach Marc Sprague, who is an Oregon State Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee, producing multiple Olympian wrestlers, like UFC veteran and a USA Greco-Roman Olympic Team Coach, Matt Lindland. Coach Smith wrestled for Hillsboro High School, coached by Ron James, who is also an Oregon State Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee. After graduating, Coach Smith honorably served in the United States Marine Corps where he learned great leadership and discipline skills perfectly suited for wrestling and MMA coaching.
For 20+ years, Coach Smith has taught wrestling to all ages and different skill levels from youth to adults. In 2011, he started applying his wrestling knowledge to the sport of MMA, when he was asked to help prepare the former King of the Cage Champion, Brian Sesma.
In 2013 Coach Smith moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and briefly afterwards started working with the UFC legend Diego "The Nightmare" Sanchez, getting him ready for his upcoming UFC fight. His knowledge for wrestling did not go unnoticed, and soon after, he began teaching wrestling classes for Coach Mike Winklejohn's family gym, Wink's Gym MMA & Fitness.
Now, as a head wrestling coach at Jackson Wink MMA Academy, Coach Smith applies his wrestling knowledge to overall athlete development at our academy. He directly works with Carlos Condit, Jon Jones, Holly Holm, and many other professional and amateur MMA athletes.
Coach Smith is also a personal trainer to the United States Special Forces. He likes to apply this experience to his wrestling coaching, which have similar aspects, like high level physical and mental training practices. As a 16-year Certified Personal Trainer, Coach Smith uniquely ties in his knowledge of fitness, nutrition and wellness to provide a full circle approach to fight preparation.
Coach Chad and his wife Laurie have a daughter and a son. In his leisure time, Chad enjoys watching his daughter play soccer and spending time on the golf course.
