Michigan Football: Coach’s Corner — Rod Smith — (QB) Coach at Michigan
Posted at 6:00am — 1/9/2008
Michigan Football: Coach’s Corner — Rod Smith — (QB) Coach at Michigan
Coach Rod Smith:
Is specialists at installing spread option offense. He is also known for his ability to use no huddle offense. Can attest to his knowledge of no huddle knowledge. Coach Smith is exactly what Coach Rod needs to get this offense going. Not only has he coached with Coach Rod, he actually played QB for him at Glenville State. Not only has Coach Smith been a QB coach, but also served as an offense coordinator. Always remember spread option is a QB based offense and to have a QB coach who has both played and coached in the system will make transaction much smoother.
It’s a different animal,” Smith said. “The duel-threat guy is such a big prescience in our offense. It’s what makes us go, really. Defenses have a hard time stopping a running quarterback. If he can throw as well it creates problems.”
“A guy like myself could not survive anymore,” Smith said. “When you run a 5-flat, a 5.1 40, it makes it tough nowadays. The athletic quarterback makes it a challenge. It has changed in that sense because you ask him to do more stuff with his legs. When I played it was more of a passing, throw-it-around-the-lot scheme. You relied more on audibles and things of that nature.”
Smith would love to see the offense relying more on the quarterback’s arm, if for no other reason than the melancholy reminiscence of all the flying footballs. As Rodriguez noted, that will come to be in a minor fashion only if the receivers can elevate their game. And if not, Smith asks a great question: If you can run so well, why pass? Why even think about not gashing defenses with the magical mix of speed and power?
“You can get too cute,” said Smith, knowing well the pull and enticement of his many weapons. “We have talked about that. We gotta do what we do best. To score as many points as we have and things have been going pretty good for the last year and a half, two years, you have to make sure you don’t get away from our roots. You get too cute if you’re not careful.”
And the implosion happens. “Good habits,” reads the proverb, “result from resisting temptation.” So, likely this season, does winning.
“You do what your quarterback does best with the athletes around him,” Smith said. “They mold the offense around who is pulling the trigger and the type of skill athletes he has around him. That’s what makes it work.”
From WV media guide:
Rod Smith rejoined the WVU football staff in January, 2007, as quarterbacks coach for the Mountaineers. Smith came to WVU from South Florida, where he spent six seasons on the staff. Smith was the Bulls’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2005-06. From 2001-04, he coached the quarterbacks and coordinated the passing game.
Smith was a member of Rodriguez’ original WVU staff back in 2001 as an offensive graduate assistant before leaving after a few weeks for a full-time coaching position at USF. Smith played for Rodriguez at Glenville State and was a 1996 All-American for the Pioneers. With Smith at quarterback, Glenville reached the national championship playoffs twice, including one runner-up finish. He also spent time with Rodriguez as a graduate assistant coach at Clemson.
In his 10-year coaching career, Smith has spent stints as offensive coordinator at Franklin (W.Va.) High (1997-98), offensive coordinator at Urbana (1998-2000), offensive coordinator at WVU Tech (2000), graduate assistant at Clemson (2000-01) and USF (2001-06). He has coached in the 2001 Toyota Gator Bowl, 2005 Meineke Car Care Bowl and the 2006 PapaJohns.com bowl.
Smith has tutored more than 20 all-conference players and two All-Americans. A 1997 graduate of Glenville State (physical education), and a 2000 graduate of Urbana (teaching), Smith is a native of Franklin, W.Va. He and his wife Charlene have one son, Alex.
Coaching Philosophy:
“Coaching started to appeal to me as a profession when I faced the fact that my playing days were coming to an end. Coaching allows me to stay involved with football and keep competitive, but more than that, it allows me to help develop young kids into men along the way. That development process in life is so important, and coaches can make a great impact. It’s wonderful to be a part of that.” – Rod Smith
Smith’s All-Conference Players:
Matt Grothe…..(2006)…USF ……….all-BIG EAST
Dave Taynor….(1998)….Urbana …..all-MSFA
Frank Carrico..(1998)….Urbana …..all-MSFA
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
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