Blake Smithback is in his second season as the Illinois football program's offensive front assistant in 2026. Smithback joined the Illini in 2025 from Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he was an assistant coach for three seasons from 2022-24.

In his first season in Champaign, Smithback helped Illinois to nine wins, a victory in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl, and a final ranking of #25 in the Coaches Poll. He helped the Illini offense average 29.4 points per game, the Illinois' fifth-best offense in program history. The offensive line was highlighted by All-Big Ten First Team selection J.C. Davis and All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honoree Josh Gesky, who helped the Illini to a final ranking of #25 in the Coaches Poll. 

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.