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Benton Smith was born in Kansas City, Mo., and bounced around in the years that followed, living in Pennsylvania, Iowa and North Carolina, before moving to Lawrence in 2006. Along the way, he lived in Sanford, N.C., for a huge chunk of his life and graduated in 2002 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — an institution, he assures die-hard Kansas fans, which he attended primarily for its in-state tuition and journalism program. Shortly after moving to Lawrence, Smith began working part-time at the Journal-World, initially covering youth sports. Next, he covered Free State High athletics and area sports for the J-W, before taking on the position of sports editor for one of The World Company's weekly newspapers, The Mirror, in Tonganoxie. He worked there from 2008 to 2011, until returning to the Journal-World to lead its high school sports coverage. In 2013, Smith took on a new role with KUsports.com, as a digital editor, blogger and writer and that role changed again in 2016, when Smith was promoted to KU football beat writer.
Recent Stories
KU football DBs coach Chevis Jackson signed 3-year term sheet
The first assistant hired by new head coach Les Miles, Chevis Jackson signed a three-year term sheet with Kansas Athletics to become the football team’s defensive backs coach. By Benton Smith
LB Joe Dineen becomes KU football's 1st AP All-American since 2007
Although his days of playing for his hometown college football program are over, the honors continue to roll in for University of Kansas linebacker Joe Dineen. By Benton Smith
Les Miles announces hiring of D.J. Eliot as KU's defensive coordinator
New Kansas football coach Les Miles officially has both of his coordinators in place for his first staff. As reports from the Journal-World and other outlets during the hours leading up to Monday evening’s KU announcement indicated, Miles hired D.J. Eliot, a former defensive coordinator at Colorado and Kentucky, to take on the same position at KU. By Benton Smith
In-state recruits Jayden Russell and Mason Fairchild commit to Les Miles and KU football
Cole Mueller finally has some company on the Kansas football program’s Class of 2019 commitment list. On a busy Sunday for new head coach Les Miles, KU picked up verbal pledges from two in-state recruits: St. Thomas Aquinas defensive back Jayden Russell and Andale athlete Mason Fairchild. By Benton Smith
Benton Smith: Lagerald Vick needs to be good kind of 'bad boy' for KU
Kansas City, Mo. — This Kansas basketball team is undefeated. It’s ranked No. 2 in the nation. Yet its head coach, Bill Self, described the current state of the Jayhawks perfectly following Saturday night’s latest near-loss, a 63-60 victory over New Mexico State at Sprint Center.
KU football OC Chip Lindsey signs on for 4-year deal worth $2.65 million; KU has option for Year 4
OL coach Luke Meadows' deal guaranteed for first 2 years
The Kansas football team’s new offensive coordinator, Chip Lindsey, signed a four-year term sheet with Kansas Athletics when head coach Les Miles hired Lindsey away from Auburn. Lindsey’s deal is worth $2.65 million dollars over the course of four years, with KU having an option it must exercise in order for the final year of the deal to kick in. By Benton Smith
Les Miles and KU football targeting prospects ahead of early signing period
As college football’s December early signing period approaches, new University of Kansas head coach Les Miles and his not yet fully assembled staff have targeted some potential additions for the program’s currently minuscule 2019 class. By Benton Smith
Les Miles hires one-time colleague of new OC to coach KU's O-line
Luke Meadows named Jayhawks' OL coach
New head coach Les Miles now has three of his 10 on-field assistant coaches in place for his first Kansas football staff. Miles announced Friday afternoon he hired Luke Meadows, a former colleague of new KU offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, as the Jayhawks’ offensive line coach. By Benton Smith
Joe Dineen once again a 2nd-team All-American according to SI
For the second year in a row Sports Illustrated named University of Kansas linebacker Joe Dineen to its All-America second team. The redshirt senior defender from Lawrence led the Big 12 in tackles (147) and ranked fourth among all FBS players with 12.3 tackles per game. By Benton Smith
List of FBS assistant salaries includes familiar name near the top
USA Today released on Wednesday its annual list of salaries for assistant college football coaches, and a name that’s now familiar with the Kansas football fan base ranked among the top 20 of the highest-paid in the FBS ranks. By Benton Smith
