Despite reports to the contrary, former Tennessee defensive end Chuck Smith has not been hired as Tennessee’s defensive line coach.
Coach Derek Dooley informed the News Sentinel through a UT spokesman Monday night that Smith had not been hired.
Earlier, the Associated Press reported that New York Jets coach Rex Ryan said five coaches’ contracts, including Smith’s, had expired and would not be renewed. The report then claimed that Smith was returning to UT.
While Smith wasn’t hired on Monday, he is still thought to be a strong candidate to join Dooley’s staff.
As a pass-rush coaching specialist for the Jets’ defensive line, Smith was credited with helping build a defensive front that helped the Jets reach the AFC championship game, which they lost Sunday to the Indianapolis Colts.
Smith didn’t deny interest in the vacant UT position when reached by phone Monday afternoon — before reports of him accepting the job surfaced.
“I just don’t talk about Tennessee football from afar,” said Smith, who lettered at UT as a defensive lineman in 1990 and 1991. “I’ve lived it.”
Now, Smith seems ready to live it again. He’s talked to Dooley about joining the Vols’ staff. Smith said he expects to talk to him again soon.
Smith established himself as an All-Pro defensive end during his career with the Atlanta Falcons from 1992 to 1999. 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.
His most recent stop — learning the Jets’ defense under head coach Rex Ryan — has improved his stock as a coaching candidate.
“I’ve been around the world,” Smith joked. “It’s been a blessing working under coach Ryan.”
Smith said UT has an appeal.
“It would be an exciting time,” Smith said. “I’m a Vol at the end of the day.”
He has some strong ties to Dooley. The two played together at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Ga.
“He knows me,” Smith said. “He knows my family. He knows my background.”
Smith said he and Dooley share the same approach: be organized, have integrity and play hard and fast.
“I guess it would be a smoother transition because I know Derek and I’ve kept up with Derek,” Smith said.
Smith said a move to UT also would be easier than a move elsewhere because he is familiar with the campus and the support staff in the athletic department.
He believes he could be a better coach in college than in the NFL because of his people skills, which could benefit him as a recruiter.
Smith has no history as a recruiter, but didn’t seem swayed by a new challenge.
“I can look a parent in the eye and say ‘Guess what mom? I’ve been that same kid that your son is right now.’” he said. “I understand the importance of an education. I understand the importance of wanting your son to play at the NFL level. I want your son to have the total experience at the University of Tennessee.”
Smith pointed to his time heading up D-Line, Inc., as proof that he can develop NFL talent. While training NFL prospects, Smith is credited with helping former Vol Robert Ayers to become a first-round draft pick. He also trained former UT defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth while he was with the Tennessee Titans.
“Going into a home, I can explain what it would take if you want to get into the NFL,” Smith said. “No. 1, it’s going to take you going to class and staying out of the street.
“. . . When it comes to the football aspect of it, I can teach you anything you need if you buy into it. I will have no weaknesses going into any parents’ home.”
Smith said he’s not one to try to be a player’s best friend, but his experiences can help him relate.
“I don’t look down my nose at these guys,” Smith said. “They’re looking for mentors.”
While UT’s fans are looking for a savior.
Smith, along with the rest of the Vols’ fan base, has watched Tennessee’s football program get wrecked by former head coach Lane Kiffin’s departure and the scramble to replace him in less than three days.
“I understand what our fans are going through right now,” Smith said. “I understand why they’re so disappointed in Kiffin, because we win championships.
“The message might have been lost over the last couple of years, but that was our mentality.”
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Comments » 144
rockytopatl writes:
Unlike some of the other reports, I think this hire will happen. Ryan just announced something Dooley should be announcing.
VOLsince68 writes:
Looks like another false story like many of the others here lately. You guys blow!
GO VOLS!!!
vol94 writes:
here we go again. How in the H... can KNS, ESPN, and other sites continue to misreport?
98memories writes:
C'mon, Go get 'em.
99gator writes:
how many times can this newspaper screw up who's hired and who's not, who's committed and who's not, etc, etc, etc?
AllVols writes:
Wow. Ridiculous. Come on, Chuck, we need you! GO GET HIM DOOLEY.
borovol1956 writes:
Because they are not very good at what they do, yet still get paid to do it. Go figure!
NoSirRee writes:
Haha, this is just funny
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
It's pretty sad when the National Enquirer is a more reliable source than a newspaper..
Millisa writes:
I hope He comes
westknoxvol24 writes:
Not a miss report...waiting on Coach Dooley
chrisw2967 writes:
they can screw it up 365 days a year, this is the most pathetic sports site going today.They should pay Wes Rucker the money and let him run the show.Im sure these sports editors are well over payed and they probably got their degrees from a cracker jack box.
Bloodrunzorange writes:
This is BS! Get it done! Go Vols!!!
jcp201 writes:
This article still makes me think he's coming and just let the cat out of the bag prematurely. Just have to wait for official announcement.
FWBVol writes:
Don't blame this on Dave Hooker and the KNS. All the KNS did was report was that there were unconfirmed reports that Smith had been hired.
I believe the staff was waiting to get something more substantial than the information that was roaring through cyberspace. But when enough people start posting about a cyber rumor the paper has no choice but to at least acknowledge the reports that are stating Smith has been hired. If they don't then everyone accuses them of being behind on things, but when they do, they can't get anything right.
The way business is being conducted in the media today makes it almost impossible for any credible reporter to take the time and do their job right. Everyone wanted to know something yesterday about every story, and the fact is there might not be anything to report until tomorrow or the next day on the story.
Yes, I want Derek Dooley to have a good relationship with the media in Knoxville and across the state of Tennessee, but right now he needs to be recruiting and finalizing his coaching staff. The KNS can't help it if the coach isn't doing things fast enough to feed the fan frenzy.
Which brings me to the old question, "How come there never seems to be enough time to do a job right, but always enough time to do the job over?"
Let CDD get it right the first time and he won't have to do it over. At that time the KNS will have something to report.
Volstate writes:
Of course he's not been hired yet. We know this because we know you reporters all rush to break a story and could care less to find out if it is fact first. It's a freaking Media circus in this town...
ncvol17 writes:
Agree with the pack, story after story of who is on the cusp of being hired and then..NOT...guess we'll get a DC on signing day...
utnut#215669 writes:
maybe if they charged for acess,then they could hire better journlists, then all the freeloaders could quit complaining !
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
It's the media... what do you expect?
utnut#215669 writes:
access
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
maybe so, but in light of recent events, I don't trust anything 'till I see the coach in question at a press conference standing next to Dooley and Hamilton.
ORNGFACTOR writes:
You are correct. This was not "supposed" to be released yet but a reliable source has disclosed negotiations and something inked and announced before Wednesday. Watch for this to happen...
CRFVols writes:
Seems to be like you'd need to get a DC first, as he may have some preference about who he wants his assistants to be.
However, it sounds like Dooley is in talks with Smith and would highly suggest whoever the new DC is to utilize Dooley for the line. Looks like he'd be a great fit for any system.
mercuryvol writes:
Unlike the last coach, this one seems to keep his own counsel and be deliberate;therefore not a lot to report.Breath of fresh air compared to the circus of last year.
murrayvol writes:
Several.
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
This is getting ridiculous. One day Garza is a coach, the next day his office is cleaned out. One day Steele is supposed to be our DC, then that turns out to be false. Then Barry is our next DC...then he isn't. Now Chuck Smith (a "consultant" with the Jets) has come and gone. What the H.ll is wrong with the Dooley Administration?? And don't anybody respond with that "they're trying to get the right guy BS." They've gone through three possible defensive coordinators with all indications pointing to a desire to hire each one and they've been turned down. National Signing Day is one week away. What message does this send to our recruits??
jeremy writes:
quit reporting rumors and report facts...this is beyond rediculous and I am wondering why I even waste my time with this site.
just4utk writes:
So is he or isn't he coming?
Chattanooga Times Free Press says he is.
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/20...
tenuscvol writes:
You've got to expect that CDD is doing whatever he believes he must do to get the best possible class of recruits to sign on NSD. If that means he does so without naming a DC or other coaches then I trust he is telling the recruits what they need to hear to overcome any perceived shortcoming of having those unkowns. I am sure coach is very busy but I do not believe he is in over his head and has a great plan that I believe will come to fruition.
Just like everyone els I want to know now but I believe CDD is working for NSD and whatever that entails...GBO!
jobrando#216494 writes:
It's been reported by Scout.com he's got one more interview with Lane Kiffin.
VolFanNC writes:
Sigh...hopefully this will happen. As far as DC goes, I don't know why we would want the Tampa Bay LB coach or the current Bama LB coach.
If that is what they are after, why not stick with Thomson? He was the previous Bama LB coach...then you need to hire someone like a Dale Jones or Al Wilson as the LB coach and your done.
If they sign Joe Barry, I will of course talk about how great of a hire he his, but for now I am a little worried about the him running off to join the Kiff clan or Pete next year.
SATCHMOE writes:
I believe there is a great need for some vasoline to be rubbed on some chapped azzez.Too quick to shoot the messenger, I believe Chuck will be on the sideline next year,Go Vols
jobrando#216494 writes:
Here.....Heck ..he'll get Dooley next..Bones Lie
http://www.usc.kiffin.suks.big.one
cobbwebb writes:
the new york times says smith is coming to Tennessee, WHO KNOWS!!
asleep#212036 writes:
Dooley brought in his secondary coach from La Tech - Kiffin just got Garza to get some recruits. As far as Steele and Barry, who knows the conversations. And Chuck Smith isn't gone. No way Ryan releases him from his contract without Chuck asking him and Chuck doesn't give up the NFL job without another job lined up already. The timing of announcement was wrong (no DC named yet) but Chuck has said he wants the job, he and Dooley are long-time friends, Chuck played at UT and the NFL, and has made himself available. Do the math. As much as you don't like it, "finding the right guy" means finding someone who wants the job over the job they currently have. Who could lure you from your job? What would they have to offer, including salary and advancement opportunities? What about moving your family? What about a lateral move? See what I mean? You find good people, you offer them the job, and see who wants it. It's no big deal. Recruits? They don't think anything except we don't have a DC yet - and that is problematic, but only because the post is empty. Hire the right guy and all the past becomes moot. Go Vols!!!
lomas98 writes:
With the way these stories have unfolded over the last couple of weeks, I would hope the KNS editors would wait until a press conference is held before writing anything. If they don't have a presser, I'm sure they send out some sort of memo. I will believe whoever is a coach when it is announced by the university.
marinevol writes:
Why is his contract not being extended by the Jets?
avolfan1 writes:
This is the first time I have ever posted and I think you are right. I always went to the news paper for information you felt like was credible but what has happened to reliable reporters. I know that mistakes happen but this is getting old. PLEASE just report facts!
west_tn_volfan writes:
If Dooley's mentor is Nick Saban, the DC will take whomever the HC says he'll take and he'll like it. I think Saban pretty much puts all the pieces together and everyone has to function within that framework. Could be that CDD has the same attitude. I don't really care as long as it works.
prideofthesouthland writes:
How man times are you going to retract a story this year?
I've got one for you: "Saints win Super Bowl- Manning Retires" Oops!
Hillbilly_Orange writes:
Cause he wants to come home to UT. I guess
west_tn_volfan writes:
It said in the article it was in order for them to be able to take other jobs. Sounds like it was to make the move he wants to make easier. Not a performance issue.
CRFVols writes:
I didn't know that was the Saban way. Whatever works...like you said. I know he reserves the right to tell the DC who his assistants will be.....just wasn't sure if he would. I haven't had time to read a whole lot on Dooley.
Either way....I'm ready to see our complete staff.....GO VOLS!
west_tn_volfan writes:
In all honesty, I don't know for sure. I just heard some guys on a radio show saying he was like that. They could have been full of phooey but watching Saban, on the sidelines, he seems like a "my way or the highway" kind of guy. I'm with you though, I'd sure like to see a completed staff.
runninbroke writes:
Its also been reported that Urban Meyer said he would die for this guy. Just reporting...
runninbroke writes:
uh, on second thought, die might be too strong a word. I take it back.
de3cls writes:
WVLT reported that Smith had been hired, but the deal will not finalized until the approval from the future DC...whoever that is or will be. I think we are all in for a suprise from CDD when he announces the DC.
dma38256#264746 writes:
Witch Doctor losing accent!!!!!
Thad123 writes:
Its amazing. Hooker can't report anything from credible sources because no one talks to him but mothers of kids that commit to UT and he can't even report that correctly. He has to get his information from "The Google" like the rest of us. I hope KNS does not pay this guy. If they do they would get more stories correct by hiring someone who reads palms for a living.
Vol_in_GA writes:
Gotta love the off season.
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