Central Michigan University Athletics
Jenna Smith Tabbed for DeCosemo’s Inaugural Staff
2/18/2026 9:29:00 AM | Soccer
Former assistant of, and successor to, DeCosemo at Aquinas completes 2026-27 coaching trio; Keyton Wheelock retained in position, at CMU since 2021
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Jenna Smith was hired as an assistant coach for Central Michigan Soccer, as announced by Head Coach James DeCosemo this week.
Smith came to Mount Pleasant after four seasons with the women's program at NAIA Aquinas College (MI), where she graduated as a student-athlete in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and sports management. She was the head coach for the 2025 season after three seasons under DeCosemo's leadership from 2022-24.
"Jenna is someone I trust deeply," DeCosemo said. "She understands our standards, our culture, and the level of detail required to develop student‑athletes the right way. We're excited to welcome to Mount Pleasant and can't wait for our players to benefit from her energy and expertise."
Aquinas's 2025 campaign marked the eighth consecutive berth into the NAIA national tournament. Smith led the Saints to a 12-7-1 record and an opening-round victory in the NAIA bracket before falling, 2-0, to top-seed Marian University.
As an assistant at Aquinas, Smith aided DeCosemo to a 55-5-7 overall record, an unblemished 31-0-3 mark in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference, five total WHAC Championship, 10 NAIA All-American selections and the first two appearances in the NAIA tournament quarterfinals in program history in 2022 and 2023.
"Her experience as a head coach has only strengthened the qualities that made her an outstanding assistant during her previous time with me. She's a tireless recruiter, an excellent teacher of the game, and someone who leads with genuine care."
The Milford, Mich.-native transferred to compete for the Aquinas program in 2018 and 2019 after two national tournament berths at NJCAA Schoolcraft College, amassed a 34-9-2 record and the 2018 WHAC Tournament Championship with the Saints. As a senior, she started all 23 matches, tallied 23 points (six goals, 11 assists), two game-winning goals and logged 1,592 minutes on the pitch—second-most among field players.
Smith's hire completes the coaching staff for the 2026 CMU Soccer season as DeCosemo retained the services of assistant coach Keyton Wheelock. Wheelock has been a part of the program as an assistant since January 2021.
"I'm excited to welcome Coach Keyton back onto our staff as we begin this new chapter for Central Michigan Soccer. Having someone who already understands the heartbeat of this program is incredibly valuable as we build forward. I'm confident she'll play a key role in helping us elevate the program.
"Keyton's commitment to our student‑athletes, her detail in coaching, and her steady presence within the previous staff made a strong impression, and I'm grateful to have her experience and energy alongside us again."
Smith came to Mount Pleasant after four seasons with the women's program at NAIA Aquinas College (MI), where she graduated as a student-athlete in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and sports management. She was the head coach for the 2025 season after three seasons under DeCosemo's leadership from 2022-24.
"Jenna is someone I trust deeply," DeCosemo said. "She understands our standards, our culture, and the level of detail required to develop student‑athletes the right way. We're excited to welcome to Mount Pleasant and can't wait for our players to benefit from her energy and expertise."
Aquinas's 2025 campaign marked the eighth consecutive berth into the NAIA national tournament. Smith led the Saints to a 12-7-1 record and an opening-round victory in the NAIA bracket before falling, 2-0, to top-seed Marian University.
As an assistant at Aquinas, Smith aided DeCosemo to a 55-5-7 overall record, an unblemished 31-0-3 mark in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference, five total WHAC Championship, 10 NAIA All-American selections and the first two appearances in the NAIA tournament quarterfinals in program history in 2022 and 2023.
"Her experience as a head coach has only strengthened the qualities that made her an outstanding assistant during her previous time with me. She's a tireless recruiter, an excellent teacher of the game, and someone who leads with genuine care."
The Milford, Mich.-native transferred to compete for the Aquinas program in 2018 and 2019 after two national tournament berths at NJCAA Schoolcraft College, amassed a 34-9-2 record and the 2018 WHAC Tournament Championship with the Saints. As a senior, she started all 23 matches, tallied 23 points (six goals, 11 assists), two game-winning goals and logged 1,592 minutes on the pitch—second-most among field players.
Smith's hire completes the coaching staff for the 2026 CMU Soccer season as DeCosemo retained the services of assistant coach Keyton Wheelock. Wheelock has been a part of the program as an assistant since January 2021.
"I'm excited to welcome Coach Keyton back onto our staff as we begin this new chapter for Central Michigan Soccer. Having someone who already understands the heartbeat of this program is incredibly valuable as we build forward. I'm confident she'll play a key role in helping us elevate the program.
"Keyton's commitment to our student‑athletes, her detail in coaching, and her steady presence within the previous staff made a strong impression, and I'm grateful to have her experience and energy alongside us again."
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