The whispers about Chuck Smith being named Tennessee’s defensive line coach have grown into full-blown conversations.
Led by new coach Derek Dooley, UT has had conversations with the former Vol to coach its defensive line, and Smith is expected in town this week for further talks, a source with knowledge of the potential hire told the News Sentinel.
Dooley and Smith played football together at Clark Central High School in Athens, Ga.
Smith was an assistant defensive line coach specializing in pass rush for the New York Jets this past season.
Smith established himself as an All-Pro defensive end during his career with the Atlanta Falcons from 1992-99.
He played one season with the Carolina Panthers before retiring after multiple knee injuries.
After his playing career, Smith worked in broadcasting before pursuing a career as a personal trainer for football players, which led him to coaching.
He was widely credited for helping former Vol defensive end Robert Ayers become a first-round draft pick in 2009.
Smith’s most recent stop — learning the Jets’ defense under coach Rex Ryan — improved his stock as a coaching candidate.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
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Comments » 154
Volunatic writes:
Glad to hear this is in the works now, but I wish they had made it happen a week or two ago.
Nonetheless, get Chuck Smith here!
GO VOLS!
Gumby#1381110 writes:
Hiring Chuck would be like putting the icing on the cake!
JacksonvilleVol writes:
That's wonderful! Chuck would do a great job with those big guys up front
sitinhere writes:
We need a Great Line coach with UT ties to coach up these young men not Farmer Fran from the "Waterboy" drinking Red Bull and ripping off his shirt. So bring in Chuck.
OldVol_75 writes:
Nothing like a source with knowledge...
oldorange writes:
Outstnading!!!!!!!!!
Cldvols1 writes:
Bring him in Coach! GBO
Gumby#1381110 writes:
I'm not like the spellcheck police or anything, but didn't you mean outstanding?
givehim6 writes:
A week or so ago was concerned about UT's defence, but now I think UT will be ok.
VOLS_SEC_RULES writes:
Nothing can compare to being coached by an All-Pro. I'll never forget his speed around the end to the QB while at UT.
OrangePsyched writes:
Now someone who can speak to these kids about the Vols from past experience. I say in the future when we are competing for the same recruits we just put Orgeron and Smith in a cage match and winner takes all. Someone please tell me how many days exactly until spring practice begins. Now we begin the process. Hard work in the off season translate to wins during the season. Don't let anyone outwork you Vols. ROCKY TOP!
mjmsaysgovols writes:
2nd best D Lineman ever here???...would be great to get him and he is a true VOL...after "escaping" from Athens, GA after high school...
TitanandVolfan4life writes:
I'll believe it when I hear it from UT.
Does CDD ever even sleep ?
The man has been running nonstop since he agreed to take the job.
The Dooley Diesel just keeps on rolling along.
GO BIG ORANGE !!!
nocleats writes:
A source who is close to someone who is very close to an insider who knows someone whose brother has a source, refused to comment, but gave the name of several sources who believe that they have heard from those "in the know" that it is a done deal as long as word doesnt get out !
send writes:
its been a done deal since peyton beat the jets
abi writes:
This guy is legit he can be the insurance if Wilcox ever leaves we can have co defensive coordinators in Thompson and him go vols
Mule_Days_King writes:
The janitor....
subaruvol writes:
If recruiting is the life blood of college football, who would you rather have explaining to a kid what life on Rocky Top is all about than this Monster who gave his all!Hoping this is true and the deal is finally sealed.GBO!!!
Hounddog writes:
You are right justsayn...hard work! One thing we can say postive about the last staff is this team is used to hard work. That will carry over to the new VOLS coming in. The members of last season's team still remaining know that something great is about to happen, and this time with character.
Hounddog
nocleats writes:
Nope !! But i will give you a hint, they have a friend whose dad has a really REALLY good parking pass !!
bebecerveza writes:
I like Chuck, but really what has he done coaching wise? He may be a great hire, but I wouldn't start acting like he is the greatest thing since slice bread.
No real coaching eperience, no recruiting experience other than his own. Would've liked to have had someone more experienced, but time will tell I guess?
If everyone is all about hiring ex UT players why not go ahead and make Al Wilson a TA?
PHAT_Daddy writes:
If my math doesn't fail me, that would make your information 6th hand. Hopefully a little more substancial info becomes available. Chuck would do an excellent job with the D line!
Mule_Days_King writes:
Colonel Mustard.....
volinlouisiana writes:
I can think of 3 from the past 15 yrs that were better. Haynesworth, Henderson, and Little were all better, not to even mention Reggie White from yrs past. Still, that's not to take away from Coach Smith, his great accomplishments, and his love for his alma mater.
OldVol_75 writes:
If Dooley hated the media, he could have a field day with these speculations.
no1volz_fan writes:
Yes!!! He definitely has Orange blood, with NFL ties what defensive recruit would not want to play for this guy?? ..this would solidify it all......Come on Coach Smith!
nocleats writes:
He works with current NFL lineman (who pay him big money) to hone their Dline skills and is considered a premier Pass rush instructer.. After Haynsewort got in trouble, he spent several mos with Smith,, Smith got him in shape Mentally and Physically and technique wise. The following season Big Al became the most dominate disruptive Defensive tackle in the NFL, which led to him being paid the highest salary of any D player in the league!! Think that will recruit?
asleep#212036 writes:
And he's from Georgia and played for the Falcons. The recruiting benefits alone would be worth the hire. Go Vols!!!
SIMSVOL writes:
This is a decision for coach Wilcox. Perhaps he has an even better candidate in mind. Chuck's good and he's played at UT - but who knows.
Dooley and Wilcox do.
rjanikula writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
bryanvolsfan writes:
I think Coach Dooley is doing an excellent job so far. He handled this recruting class better than anybody could have with such a short time frame and now these coaching hires he's making leads me to believe he is a diamond in the rough. A head coach is only as good as the people he surronds himself with, and these players and coaches he's bringing in are top rate, first class individuals.
FWBVol writes:
I believe Wilcox will have some input in the hiring of the D-Line coach, but the ultimate decision on any position coach hire is with the head coach. Derek Dooley hired a DB coach without the input of a DC and kept Lance Thompson on the staff without taking into consideration the opinion of a DC.
In the end it is the head coach that will be cheered or jeered based on how the coaches on his staff teach the players.
VolsFanInNC writes:
Fantastic analogy. I just about spit my drink out..
VOLinCO writes:
BEEP BEEP BEEEEP BEEP BEEEP BEEP....
breaking news...
nocleats writes:
Coach O highlights http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3wuSO...
budd#207344 writes:
Chuck has been coaching D line for the Jets. Before that he has worked with many of the kids coming out of school getting them ready for the combine. He also trains pros year round. He knows what he's doing. He was awarrior on the field at UT and in ATL for the falcons. He will make our Dline better
nocleats writes:
The jets already have a d line coach on staff and UNDER contract.. C Smith was brought in as an advisor and specialist to work w/ the jets through the playoffs for a good chunk of change,, That is how he made his living
vol49 writes:
Because Al would kill and eat all the players he coached if they didn't do what he said....
Tadvol writes:
Hope he can get alot out of nothing with the DT's ... we have NONE ... 4 on the roster I believe .. Hughes, Walls, Thomas and Nelson and the last 3 have played a total of maybe 20 downs combined ... and the last 2 are seniors and have never been able to contribute ... we will be bad on the DL this year .. look for G Williams to plat some DT I guess ... Ray Sykes I think was moved there too but he hasnt been heard of ...
bebecerveza writes:
I thought he was an advisor not a coach? And before that he was a radio host and personal trainer. Like I said time will tell, I hope he is all world for us.
TLepage writes:
I'm not taking anything away from Haynesworth, but I wouldn't base his effectivness on how much money he makes, Dan Snyder is a moron and spends money like a drunken sailor..... Its been a tough run for me as of late, I'm a life long Vol and Redskin.... Hopefully 2010 will better then the past few years....
jesusvol4 writes:
Chuck Smith has alot of charisma and makes a friend in a minute. Very trustworthy, and knows how to relate with kids and teach them about life, and the DLINE. He will be a NATURAL, and he is ORANGE BLOODED! He will add just the right spice to this coaching staff! Coach DD knows what he's doing! Forge ahead general Dooley! (and who knows, Al Wilson may be a great linebacker coach someday, maybe @UT?)
TLepage writes:
I really seeing us switching to a 3-4..... the way this coaching staff recruited leads me to believe so (i.e. offered a lot of DE/LB hybrids).... If this is so, we will be real thin and not have a lot of depth this year at DT.... But if Montorio Hughes stays healthy, we might be okay..... He is 300+ lbs., and could provide us the steady flow into the backfield from the NT position that any 3-4 needs to be succesfull (i.e. Mount Terrance Cody).....
spvol writes:
Good Venable column today. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/feb...
MidTennVol writes:
Coach Dooley, as much as I will always love Chuck Smith, DON'T hire him as defensive line coach, if you're not 100 percent sure he can coach and consistently make us the one of the top two or three defensive lines in the SEC.
AllVols writes:
I dislike the question,"what has this coach done?" It seems those who ask this question are always looking for a nationally recognized and awarded coach. I also dislike how KNS intends to publish articles on this site that reference a "source close to the hire/action." Plausibility is in deep question, again.
Now, Chuck Smith has not had a full-time coaching position. He has trained professional football players, in particular defensive linemen, year round. He was an assistant on the Jets. He was not released or fired. They chose not to renew his contract because they already have a complete staff under contract. Now, for his coaching experience, he is a highly rated trainer. Nearly everything you read will explain how he is well recommended and a very personable person with the players.
This would be a great hire for UT. He has a lot to teach on the defensive side of the ball. He would definitely help recruiting, especially the linemen area of the roster (something UT football will NEED next year).
10volunteers98 writes:
Hope coach Dooley does hire Chuck Smith.And,I`d like to say that I`m really happy with the players UT signed yesterday.I think whats-his-name might have did us a favor by leaving town when he did.Stone and Rogers probably wouldn`t be Vols right now if that scum bag was still head coach.Coach Dooley and his staff did an incredible job in only 18 days.GO,VOLS!!!
Exiled writes:
I won't believe this until I see it in the Boise paper!
tn_rockytop writes:
book it he is here
tn_rockytop writes:
ow and good job dooley gooooooooooooo vols we are going to be #1 again in the years to come book it to
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