Tennessee’s football program and new coach Derek Dooley called on an old friend to complete the Vols’ coaching staff.
Former UT player Chuck Smith was officially hired to coach the defensive line on Friday.
That’s not the only tie; Smith and Dooley played together at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Ga., during the 1980s.
“I want to thank Mike Hamilton and President Jan Simek for running UT like a first-class organization and bringing Derek in,” said Smith in a statement released by UT. “I know exactly the kind of character Derek has and exactly the kind of football coach he is.”
Smith, 40, spent last season with the New York Jets as a pass rush specialist. Jets coach Rex Ryan first hired Smith for the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 when Ryan was defensive coordinator.
Before entering the NFL, Smith built his coaching reputation as a defensive line specialist, working with defensive linemen for his company, Defensive Line Inc. Smith has worked with approximately 60 NFL players during the last five seasons.
Among his star pupils are three former Vols — Albert Haynesworth, who this past season signed a $100 million contract with the Washington Redskins; Robert Ayers, a 2009 NFL first-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos; and Shaun Ellis, who made the Pro Bowl with the Jets this season.
Smith also has worked with Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Richard Seymour and New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora.
In the 2009 NFL draft, seven linemen selected in the first five rounds trained under Smith, including Ayers.
Smith compiled 58ƒ career sacks in nine NFL seasons and was a captain during the Falcons’ first and only Super Bowl appearance in 1998. He later was voted Best Defensive Lineman in Team History by Atlanta Falcons fans.
At UT, Smith started at defensive end in two seasons. He helped the Vols to 1990 SEC and Sugar Bowl championships and earned All-SEC honors with the 1991 Vols that advanced to the Fiesta Bowl.
“I’m just excited about this opportunity to be a part of a program that believes not only in winning championships but also having champions off the field,” Smith said in the release. “Integrity always will be one of our goals.”
During his senior season, Smith had 64 tackles — 13 for a loss — with nine sacks.
Smith then earned Most Valuable Player honors at the Senior Bowl and was a second-round selection by Atlanta in the 1992 NFL draft.
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Comments » 282
bspurlingcac#225603 writes:
Yes this is great!!! GBO!!!
Mjollnir writes:
Good hire. Does this mean I'm actually first?
roloyo writes:
Welcome home
rbhobbs73#226545 writes:
Awesome! Welcome home Chuck Smith....a true VOL!
tnsportsman writes:
Welcome Coach Smith! Good hire with Tennessee Traditions!
bobbymeachem26 writes:
Great News
eprahm writes:
Great! (First)
huntined#565710 writes:
WELCOME HOME..
Mjollnir writes:
I guess I was second.
Weatherman writes:
Welcome back Coach. Go Vols!
VolsSoldier1986 writes:
We have a chance to be special next year! 8 or 9 wins I think.
abi writes:
Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow this is amaazinggggggggggggggggggggggg
roloyo writes:
Uhhhhhh............. No
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
Rah! Welcome back Sackmaster!!!!!!!!
VOLsince68 writes:
Awesome news!! Glad to finally see this happen. It has been speculated for some time, but now it seems to be official.
I know we may be short on D-linemen, but Chuck will get the most out of what we have IMO.
GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Great hire coach D! Thats what I'm talkin about.
stratocaster54 writes:
AWE-SUME!
IBleedOrange71 writes:
Way to gitter done Dooley Dog!!!
rockytopatl writes:
The staff is set, the class is signed. There's nothing left to do but hit the field and coach 'em up. Has the date for the O&W Game been set yet?
Go Vols!!
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Whodat gonna have a good coaching staff, we is, we is!
jobrando#216494 writes:
My crystal ball was right. Fantastic
rockydog writes:
Don't the Jets run a 3-4? Not sure what our DC ran while at Boise State. Anybody know if we will be switching to the 3-4? It seems like a great hire regardless. Go Vols!
VOLinCO writes:
FINALLY!
I'm guessing we just had to wait on a DC?
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
Second place is the first loser.
jobrando#216494 writes:
April 17
jobrando#216494 writes:
I think the coach said no 3-4 but 4-3
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
As per Coach Dooley at the recruiting celebration last night, we will run a 4-3.
Mule_Days_King writes:
I think I read comments from Coach Dooley stating that we would run a 4-3. This may all be contingent upon our D-line situation. We'll know for sure in spring practice and in Sept.
423tiger18 writes:
I'm pretty sure I read that the O&W game will be April 10th.
Go Vols!!!!
HollySpringsVOL writes:
Have you seen our schedule for next year? It is brutal. We are breaking in a new OL and QB for all practical purposes. It is going to be a challanging year. We need to manage our expectations appropriately.
I think we have the staff in place, but realistically, I am looking to 2011 or 2012 to be the breakout year.
jobrando#216494 writes:
I think it's time to go into hibernation until March 15th when practice begins.
GreeneVol writes:
Bring that Big Orange Pride on back home Coach Smith!
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
While I agree that the schedule is tough, I don't see it as tough as this past year, certainly no worse.
rockydog writes:
Thanks to all who responded to my question about the 3-4 or 4-3 defense. Go Vols!
Cldvols1 writes:
Been an awesome week for the Vols! A great recruiting class, a new, young and proven DC, and Chuck Smith's back! GBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jobrando#216494 writes:
I like 7-5 and a much better effort in a bowl than the kifster prepared
UTKpremed writes:
8 or 9 wins would make Dooley one of the frontrunners for National Coach of the Year...
2010 is likely going to be a struggle.
tnsportsman writes:
LOL, agree! What the hell will we do until Spring Practice?
After the last game on Super Bowl Sunday, I start drinking more Crowne and doing breathing exercises without football, a huuumm a huuuumm.
GBO!
shaymous writes:
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!
rkw2 writes:
Well, I definitely think we're better off than our interim coach. I say it's great...to be...a TENNESSEE VOL!
NYvolFan writes:
I'll bet our existing defensive lineman are excited about this, and any that haven't committed yet will be too. Sweet!
MidTennVol writes:
Haven't really looked at the Jets but Dooley has said we'll be "multiple" while retaining a "four-down" base, i.e. (four down linemen).
One thing seems certain to me -- the defensive side of the ball is going to be very, very interesting to watch this fall. Poor kids have third scheme in three years to learn.
reelvol writes:
I LOVE the hire!
I HATE that it wasn't two weeks ago to help secure Copeland and maybe help with another recriut or two.
Dooley has done an amazing job and I hate to be critical and still grades out as an A plus to date - but I'd love to hear his explanation as to why this hire couldn't have occured quickly since it seemed it was a done deal 2 weeks ago.
jobrando#216494 writes:
Whatever I think most have modest expectations and will have fun watching the new stars rise. My favorite pick is James Stone. He's so darn humble and thats why he's going to learn very quickly and be the Man.
Hillbilly_Orange writes:
Welcome home Chuck!!
Go Vols!!
Mule_Days_King writes:
FINALLY....The Chuck has come back..to Knoxville.
jobrando#216494 writes:
My guess would be the DC was unknown two weeks ago and he waited for that hire so he could look at Chuck. Just a nice political move.
Hounddog writes:
The Dooley Diesel is at the station with all ON BOARD! Hounddog.
DILLON writes:
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! great hire CDD welcome back Chuck. is he going to be the strength coach as well? might save a little $$$ his resume as a strenght coach is really good.
largeandincharge writes:
send chuck to talk to one of the few three star dt's still out there. maybe dak smith, who is being recruited by little lane
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