​Former Notre Dame star linebacker Jaylon Smith is making a jump into the high school coaching ranks in a big way.A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was named the interim head football coach at North Side High School on Monday, according to a report by WANE 15. Current Irish safety Brauntae Johnson is a 2024 graduate of North Side High School. Johnson’s career totals included 139 receptions for 2,286 yards and 41 touchdowns for the Legends.Fort Wayne Community Schools superintendent Mark Daniel announced in a letter to parents that Smith replaced David West, who is also no longer the North Side high school principal after seven years.A reason for Daniel’s and West’s sudden departure have not been disclosed. The Legends lost 19-0 to East Noble in their season opener on Friday.“Jaylon Smith will fill the head coach duties for now, with Larry Davis serving as assistant head coach. They will be supported by the assistant coaches,” said FWCS communications manager Scott Murray in a statement to WANE 15.Smith is a 2013 graduate of Bishop Luers High School, which is about five miles south of North Side. Smith’s senior campaign saw him win the Mr. Football award for Indiana and became the recipient of the 2012 Butkus Award, which is given to the best high school linebacker in the country.Defensively, Smith recorded 72 tackles (19.5 tackles for loss), eight sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and seven pass deflections as a senior for the Knights.Smith went on to play three seasons at Notre Dame, where he notched 292 total tackles (24.5 tackles for loss), 4.5 sacks, an interception, and three forced fumbles. Smith became a Consensus All-American in 2015.After being picked 34th by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2016 NFL draft, Smith played for the Cowboys, the Green Bay Packers, the New York Giants, the New Orleans Saints, the Las Vegas Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2016 to 2025.Smith was a Pro Bowler for Dallas in 2019.Former Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith will be the interim head coach at North Side…the alma mater of Brauntae Johnson. https://t.co/vV4Zr3N9jbpic.twitter.com/pocFW6pw5f— Matt Freeman (@mattfreeman05_) August 24, 2026Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.Follow Kevin on X: @KevLSmittieThis article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Former Notre Dame superstar linebacker hired to coach Indiana HS