A 1954 graduate of East Waterloo (Iowa) High School, Jack Smith lettered in baseball, football and wrestling.

He won the 154-pound state title and helped East win its first-ever Iowa state championship in 1953. He and Ken Salyer were Hall of Fame coach Davis "Dave" Natvig's first two state champions. Jack went on to played football and wrestle for the University of Northern Iowa.

After college, he took a teaching/coaching position at Sigourney (Iowa) High School. He started the wrestling program and led the team for 25 years, posting a dual meet record of 215-34-2. Nine of his teams had undefeated seasons and five placed in the top three at the state tournament. He coached 84 state qualifiers, 37 place-winners and five state champions.

Jack was named the 1980 Class AA Coach of the Year and was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1990.