A standout quarterback for the Bearcats during his playing days, Aaron Smetanka was hired as the third head coach in the Saint Vincent College football team’s modern era on Dec. 5, 2018. He completed his fourth season as head coach in 2022, and holds a 15-20 career record.
In 2022, the Bearcats finished 5-5 overall and 5-3 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference, with the five conference wins the team's most since 2011. The Bearcats scored 37 touchdowns and averaged 28.6 points per game, both third best in the PAC. Eight Saint Vincent players earned All-PAC accolades, highlighted by junior receiver/return specialist Molayo Irefin. Irefin, who led the PAC in kick return (27.2) and punt return (15.9) average, recorded the longest punt return in the team's modern era with an 85-yard touchdown in the season-opener against Stevenson, before posting a 100-yard kick return touchdown in a week nine victory over Waynesburg. Irefin also ranked second in the PAC in receptions (62) and touchdown receptions (8) and third in receiving yards (732). Along with his All-PAC honor, Irefin was also named First Team All-Region and Third Team All-America by D3football.com, becoming the first SVC football All-American since 1960. Quarterback Brady Walker led the PAC with 21 touchdown passes and 165 completions, while ranking third with 2,015 passing yards. Defensively, cornerback Ahmad Shaw was named Second Team All-PAC after picking off a team-high four interceptions.
In 2021, Smetanka led the Bearcats to just their second postseason appearance since the team’s 2007 rebirth, as they took part in the ECAC James Lynah Bowl. The Bearcats closed the season with five wins, tied for the second most in the team’s modern era. The Bearcat offense scored 30 or more points in five different games and averaged 361.3 yards per game to rank fourth in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. The Bearcat defense also ranked in the top five in the PAC in yards allowed, while their 18 interceptions ranked second in the conference and 16th in NCAA Division III.
Walker threw for 2,721 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2021, finishing his junior season as the team’s all-time record holder in career touchdown passes (37) and passing yards (4,200). Irefin set a program record with 919 receiving yards and ranked second in the PAC in receptions (68), while he led the PAC in kick return average (23.5 yards) and all-purpose yards (174.90/gm), which ranked fifth nationally.
Defensively, graduate student Cam Norris recorded 7.0 quarterback sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss, while junior Ahmad Shaw and rookie Marvelle Cromerdie each intercepted three passes. Walker, Irefin and Norris were among a seven Bearcats who earned All-PAC honors, while safety Kyle Coombe, who recorded 51 tackles and three interceptions, was named First Team CoSIDA Academic All-District™.
In 2021, Smetanka guided the Bearcats to a 2-2 record during an abbreviated 2020-21 season that was played in the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the four games, punctuated by a 35-6 victory over Bethany in week two and a 56-26 home win in the season finale against Waynesburg, the Bearcats ranked third in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference in both scoring offense (29.8 points/gm) and total offense (382.5 yards/gm). Defensively, the Bearcats’ allowed just a 44.4 percent conversion rate on third down, ranking second in the PAC, while they finished fourth in the league with six quarterback sacks.
Individually, 10 players earned All-PAC honors, highlighted by center Colton Belmont’s First Team selection and Second Team picks Mike Stasko (RB), David Marshall (RB), Cam Norris (OLB) and Jared Gonzalez (P). Belmont was also recognized with All-Region honors by D3Football.com, while Stasko rolled up 370 rushing yards and four touchdowns to end his career as the Bearcats’ modern era all-time leading rusher with 1,877 yards.
In 2019, Smetanka’s first year at the helm, the Bearcats recovered from an 0-4 start to win three of their final six games. He recorded his first victory on Oct. 12 with a 41-18 decision at PAC rival Thiel, while the Bearcats ended the season on a high note with a 27-10 home win over Bethany College.
Seven SVC players were honored with All-PAC recognition following the conclusion of the 2019 team, including First Team selection Christian Witchey (punter) and Second-Teamers Belmont and Stasko. Stasko set new team records with 907 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, while linebacker Izaak Gray recorded six quarterback sacks to graduate as the team’s all-time career leader with 16.5 QB takedowns.
Smetanka rewrote the record books during his career as the Bearcats’ quarterback, before going on to play professionally for the Erie Explosion of the Continental Indoor Football League. Smetanka’s coaching career began in 2012, and it includes a three-year stint as an assistant at Saint Vincent, while he served as head coach at Greensburg Central Catholic High School in 2017 and 2018.
A two-year starter under center for the Bearcats (2010-11), Smetanka ranks among the program’s modern-day career record-holders in passing yards (4,117), attempts (536), completions (331), and touchdown passes (31). Voted the team’s offensive most valuable player in both 2010 and 2011, Smetanka was also a First Team All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference selection in each season. As a senior and team co-captain in 2011, Smetanka led the Bearcats to their most successful season since the team’s rebirth, as they went 6-4 in the regular season and qualified for the Eastern College Athletic Conference’s Southwest Bowl. In 2014, Smetanka was named to the PAC’s 60th Anniversary All-Time Team, which recognized the top football players in the conference’s long history.
After graduating from SVC, Smetanka began his coaching career as the quarterback coach at Peters Township High School for the 2012 season. Following a one-year stint, he returned to his alma mater to join the Bearcat coaching staff as quarterback coach, a position he held for three seasons. Smetanka held a variety of responsibilities in this role, as in addition to coaching the team’s quarterbacks, he was heavily involved in recruiting, scouting, and breakdown of game film, while also providing positive guidance and mentorship to the Bearcat players.
During his first stint on the Saint Vincent staff, Smetanka also starred under center for the Erie Explosion from 2013-14. As a rookie in 2013, he guided the team to a perfect 10-0 record and the CIFL title. A year later, Smetanka was named the Continental Indoor Football League’s Offensive Player of the Year, leading the Explosion to a 9-2 record and their second consecutive league championship.
After spending the 2016 season on the staff at Chartiers Valley High School as passing game coordinator and quarterback coach, Smetanka was named the head coach of Greensburg Central Catholic in January 2017. He oversaw all aspects of the Centurion football program, as in addition to his head coaching role, he coordinated both the offense and special teams, while also serving as quarterback coach, strength and conditioning coach and equipment manager. During his time at GCC, a total of 21 Centurions were named all-conference.
In addition to his coaching experience, Smetanka has been a coach and speaker for the Coaching Boys into Men program for the past two years, an initiative aimed at promoting healthy relationships, building leadership skills and decreasing violence among high school boys. Smetanka was chosen as a featured speaker at the 2018 Coaching Boys into Men Summit, and was named the national MVP Coach of the Year, earning recognition from the United Way in its 2018 annual report.
A native of Allison Park, Pennsylvania, and graduate of North Catholic High School, Smetanka earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Saint Vincent’s Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government. He and wife Courtney are the proud parents of son Carter and daughter Kennedy.
