He’s 40 years old and he still looks like he could put on a helmet and get after a quarterback.
Alas, there would be sticky eligibility red tape, since he did play those nine seasons in the NFL.
No, Chuck Smith can’t help solve Tennessee’s defensive line issues like he did in the old days.
He has to be content with teaching someone else how to do it.
To put Smith in perspective, let’s activate the time machine and set the dial back two decades.
After the 1989 season, the Vols needed defensive help in a big and immediate way. So Johnny Majors turned to the junior-college ranks.
He signed Smith out of Northeast Oklahoma to anchor one defensive end and Chris Mims to line up at the other side. He brought in Dale Carter to patrol the secondary.
The Vols won an SEC title in 1990, then the Sugar Bowl.
In 1991, Smith was first-team All-SEC, recording nine quarterback sacks. The Vols went 18-5-2 in his two-year career, then the Atlanta Falcons took him in the second round.
Returning to 2010, Smith has landed on the UT coaching staff at the invitation of his former high-school teammate from Athens, Ga., Derek Dooley.
Smith is in charge of Tennessee’s defensive line. It’s not an easy assignment to launch a collegiate coaching career.
The D-line is, in the words of defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox, a motley crew.
Dooley once referred to the defensive-tackle pool as a sack of potatoes, meaning just stick your hand in and grab one because there’s not a lot of difference in them.
There are a couple of proven veterans but not enough. Walk-ons are playing, true freshmen are playing, guys off the track team are playing, ends are playing tackle.
Smith played at a high level in the NFL. He has worked in the business world, been a talk-radio host, served on UT’s Athletics Board and developed a reputation as a personal coach and trainer for aspiring NFL players.
Last year he joined the coaching ranks full time with the New York Jets.
Now he’s essentially at ground zero, molding UT’s motley crew.
And loving it.
“I’ve never flinched,’’ he said Wednesday.
“I’m mixing and matching. There’s no other way to put it.
“It’s like a Crayola box and I’ve got 18 different colors in there, depending on who’s hot and who’s healthy.’’
One of the colors is orange. Smith is the only former Vol on the coaching staff. Wilcox, who came from Boise State, had never met Smith but quickly figured out what he brought to the mix.
“Energy,’’ Wilcox said. “He’s about ready to head-butt the players half the time because he’s got so much juice.
“He obviously loves Tennessee. He would run through a wall.
“And, the NFL background, so he’s got credibility with the players.’’
While he might want to head-butt them half the time, he’s got his players’ backs, too.
They’re trying their hardest, he says. They’re taking coaching. They’re learning to swim in the deep end.
“Everyone should keep riding with us,’’ Smith said, “and look at the big picture, not the small picture.
“Cause our day is coming again.’’
Mike Strange may be reached at strangem@knoxnews.com or 865-342-6276.
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Comments » 35
Whiskey_Wizard writes:
He was a great hire by CDD!
tnsportsman writes:
YOU GO CHUCK! Me and a whole bunch of the VolNation believes in what you can do! Your D Line will be just fine before to many more games! Make all of them Razor Head Hunters!
GO VOLS, WE ARE UT!
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
See you Saturday, Tnsportsman..We are going to watch the Vol Walk and head on over to your area.
This was a fabulous hire by Dooley and it will really pay off in a couple of years.
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
Sorry for the typo..It should be "your" instead of "yout".
orangecountyvols writes:
Prowlin and Growlin,
Enjoy the Vol walk and the tailgating with tnsportsman and friends !
Always look forward to your posts.........and Go Vols !
RoadTrip writes:
This coaching staff simply rocks! With CCS back on the Hill teaching the boys what it means to bleed orange, it is just a matter of time and the right recruits. We just need to be patient and provide encouragement.
And CDD is a sound bite waiting to happen every time a mic is put in front of his face - just like his momma. What a great, biting sense of humor.
GBO!
NorthwestVol writes:
“Cause our day is coming again.’’
Gotta love the attitude.
Bigger_Al writes:
Yesssss, Chucky Smith. Our day, indeed, is coming.
wycoller writes:
Yout. I just thought you were quoting a line from "My Cousin Vinny."
VolNavy1 writes:
Coach Smith is right. Their day is coming. I don't think it will be that long either.
Brillovol writes:
That gave me chills. We'll be back, just give us time.
FWBVol writes:
Chuck Smith was on the Derek Dooley Show last week and talked about how CDD used to drill him in practice. He said CDD didn't take anything from anybody. I don't doubt that CDD didn't take anything from anybody, but even with Derek Dooley being two years older the Smith, I find it hard to believe the Derek Dooley ever wore Chuck Smith out.
As others have stated, CDD has put together a great staff, and I think Chuck Smith is the jewell of the the staff.
VOL03_NC writes:
“Cause our day is coming again.’’
hcjournals#206623 writes:
If he says good times are coming again, I'll drink the Kool Aid.....Just please don't let this season be another embarrassment. When Alabama, as ridiculous as they have been over the last 10 years is on top, we can't be that far behind....
ddayvolsfan#238252 writes:
Glad to have you back in Big Orange Country, Mr. Smith. I cheered for you when you played and I beleive in you as a Vols coach. We're pups this year, but pups grow up to be Big Ole Smokey Dogs!
Tau_of_Tennessee writes:
Loved this guy as a player and love him as a coach! We are behind you coach Smith!
iowavol writes:
I remember sitting in Section R on about the 25th row, and my good friend says "watch Smith, he's going to get a sack right now". Smith did a quick fake to the left and then a speed rush around the tackle and pummeled the qb before he even finished dropping back - he was cat quick. Looking forward to him teaching our guys to pin those ears back and go.
Vol86 writes:
We need orange blood on the staff. Our program should always have some ex-players, its in the best interest.
deputy658 writes:
This entire staff is impressive , especialy CCS . As official visits play out during the season this staff will impress recruits as well as their parents . A top 10 class , book it !! GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hikerdude writes:
Our day is coming again. That's a fact. BUT, we have to be patient. It's going to be at least three years before can can have an SEC quality quarterback ready to play.
wigmeister writes:
I hope he sticks around to make UT again what it once was.
HtownVol writes:
I dont know how a HS recruit can not look at playing for UT. Any high ranked D-Lineman would be lucky to be coached by CCS. Didnt the top NFL prospects go to him for coaching? Didnt he coach the best D-Line in the NFL last season, didnt CCS have the best D-Line in the NFL AFTER losing their best player in the 4th game (Jenkins).
Miller, J Smith, Hughes, and so on are going to be very good in a year or two. Just like UT's O-Line, WRs,QB, and DB's the D-Line is playing a lot of young men and building the blocks for the future. If this staff can recruit the way they are capable then the SEC should take advantage of UT's down perion, in 2 years UT will be able to beat any team in the SEC!
GO VOLS
Mobbdeep4life writes:
You better believe it!!! Our day is coming again!!!!!!!
DrewM2010 writes:
The reason I hated seeing Trooper Taylor leave UT was his energy. Glad we have a coaching staff full of energy and always wanting to push the players to the max.
UTbassdrummer writes:
Love. Him.
These coaches have a bunch of true
freshmen, walk ons, track teamers, and
have them out there playing like the real
thing (until they are out of steam...sigh..
depth) and more importantly, the coaches
have them improving. Imagine what's
coming, given a touch of player experience
and depth. ESPECIALLY if we keep packing
Neyland this year and pump this young
group up.
Let's do this.
VOLliven2it writes:
Keep 'um putting hurt'ns on the opponents' offense Chuck. I am so glad you are with us now and plan to be for the long haul.
martinvol34 writes:
hikerdude, have you seen Tyler Bray throw. Hell Chris Simms is even better than most of the current SEC quarterbacks. Receivers make quarterbacks (Julio Jones for McElroy). Nance is an awesome quarterback. We have SEC quarterbacks and with experience they will be fine. It won't be three years.
UTSmokey04 writes:
Now CDD needs to hire Al Wilson to coach the linebackers and promote Lance Thompson to Assistant Head Coach and recruiting coordinator. The Vols would be set with CCS and Al Wilson together.
UTSmokey04 writes:
I think what hiker is saying is that Matt has really struggled at times and is more of a game manager than a guy who is going to win a ballgame or two. Tyler has shown the flash, and we'll have to wait on Nash Nance and Justin Worley.
illinoisvolfan writes:
Now that would really be something if it ever came to pass. Nothing like having a coaching staff that could put a hurtin' on their own players. Al Wilson might be the best on-field leader I've ever seen at Tennessee.
GBO, Wrinkle the Blazers!
DRORANGELOVE writes:
ANYBODY, who is a true Vol can't help but be enthused about this great coaching staff, from the head coach on down the line. This entire staff brings football knowledge, energy, enthusiasm, integrity, character, and CLASS back to the Hill. How can any young man Not want to play for these guys? As posted by many others on this website, I say " WATCH OUT, THE VOLS ARE ON THE WAY BACK."
Bigger_Al writes:
Chuck Smith would whip Ed Orgeron in a cage match.
orangecountyvols writes:
Vol 86
That is a very accurate observation. It would be nice to see people like Al Wilson, Dale Jones, etc down on the sideline. Not that we'll ever get them but you're right, people who wore that orange shirt would be big for us.
BigBadVol writes:
Chuck Smith and Chris Mims were the best rushing DE's TN has ever had on the field at the same time. Pressure every single time. Sacks a lot of the time. The Chris Mims story is tragic but the Chuck Smith story is inspiring. Go Vols!
JReaganGA writes:
I am proud of Chuck and who he has become and what he is doing for those young men. We are greatful for him coming home to Tennessee.
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