Before entering the world of management, Smith enjoyed a sixteen-year playing career, which saw him play for the Saddlers, Hereford United, Leyton Orient, Sheffield Wednesday, and Port Vale, making over 670 first-team appearances before retiring in early 2005.
After hanging up his boots, and spending four years with former club Leyton Orient, the West Bromwich-born former defender returned to the Saddlers in 2009, taking up the Head of Youth position, before replacing manager Chris Hutchings at the helm in 2011.
Smith went on to lead the Saddlers through two-hundred and sixty games, including a debut visit to Wembley Stadium for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final in 2015, with much of his success making him the subject of plenty of outside interest, including a failed approach by Rotherham United.
Despite penning a new rolling contract just six weeks earlier, Smith eventually decided to leave the Banks's Stadium in favour of a move to Griffin Park in November 2015, where he would soon be joined by Richard O'Kelly.
Smith, a life-long Villa supporter whose father served as a steward at Villa Park, went on to manage the Bees for a total of 143 games, winning 57 in all-competitions before agreeing terms on a deal with his boyhood club on Wednesday evening, replacing Steve Bruce, who was sacked last week.
Along with appointing Smith, the Villans have appointed former England international defender John Terry as assistant and are also expected to make a move for Dean's former Saddlers and Bees assistant, Richard O'Kelly.