Brad Smith began his career at Lisbon High School in Lisbon, Iowa, in 1978 and led his teams to seven traditional state championships (1980, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990) in 13 seasons. He became head coach at City High School in Iowa City, Iowa, in 1991 and led his teams to three traditional state championships (1992, 1999 and 2002) in 21 seasons. Smith returned to Lisbon in 2012 and is in his 39th season as a coach. In 2017, he won his 11th state team title, tying the Iowa record for most traditional state team wrestling championships held by Siddens. He has coached four four-time state wrestling champions, which is more than any other coach in Iowa history.

Mr. Smith was a two-time unbeaten Illinois state champion, a two-time prep All-American, and a Junior Olympic Champion. At the University of Iowa he was a four year letter winners, a 1976 NCAA champion, and wrestled on two national championship teams. He is one of Iowa's top prep coaches, leading Lisbon and Iowa City, City High to statewide prominence. In 13 seasons at Lisbon (144-40-4) and 20 years at Iowa City High (319-1201, his teams are 463-160-4 dual matches, which is third best all-time. His teams at the two schools combined for a total of 10 traditional state titles, second highest in Iowa coaching annals. They have also finished second nine times. In addition his teams earned five State Team Dual Meet Championships A multiple winner of district coach-of-the-year honors, he was Iowa coach-of-the-year in 1986 and named National Coach-of-the-Year in 1990 when his Lisbon team won its third straight championship and seventh overall under his guidance, plus three State Dual Team Championships. In 33 seasons, he has coached 219 state qualifiers with 123 medal winners including 41 state champions. Eight of his athletes have been high school All-Americans and five were national champions at the NCAA, NAIA, and Junior College levels. A member of numerous halls of fame, including a 2011 IHSAA induction, he and his wife Connie reside in Iowa City where they have raised three sons - Jacob, Cody and Colton. He is a teacher at City High. After resigning at Iowa City, City High, this winter he will be returning to his first post at Lisbon.