Blake Smithback is in his first season as the Illinois football program's offensive front assistant in 2025. Smithback joined the Illini from Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he was an assistant coach for three seasons. 

Smithback started his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2022 before being promoted to tight ends and fullbacks coach in 2023. Over three seasons at Whitewater from 2022-24, Smithback helped the team to 25 wins and two Division III Playoffs berths. 

A native of Waunakee, Wisconsin, Smithback was a Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-State First Team selection as a senior at Waunakee High School. He went on to play five seasons of college football at Wisconsin from 2017-21, earning four Academic All-Big Ten honors. 

His father, Jon, has coached high school football in Wisconsin for over 30 years. 

Smithback graduated from Wisconsin in 2021 with a double major in accounting and management & human resources.