Rick Smith, one of the most highly-respected and experienced defensive minds in college football, is in his fourth season heading the Pirates' secondary after officially becoming a member of the East Carolina staff Feb. 8, 2005. The Florida native was elevated to the position of assistant head coach on June 1, 2007. Smith quickly provided the revamped ECU defensive backfield an immediate impact, molding a unit that finished the `05 campaign ranked among the nation's top 20 in pass defense, allowing a paltry 184.9 yard a game. His preparation and schematic preparation also allowed for 15 interceptions during the year before topping that mark in both 2006 and 2007 with 16 and 17, respectively - figures which ranked 21st and 25th nationally. For the second season in a row, the Pirates held two teams under the century mark in pass defense in 2006 - which included the program's top single-game effort since 1969 when it held Navy's explosive play-action passing game to just six yards during the season opener. All four of Smith's starters in the secondary earned All-Conference honors in 2006 and the unit set new school single-game and single-season records for most touchdowns scored on interception returns. After losing three of four starters in his backfield, Smith simply reloaded in 2007 with new talent at one cornerback position and both safety slots. In addition to the noteworthy interception total, which marked ECU's highest total since 1999, Smith also directed the efforts of two All-Conference USA selections in first-year safety and top team tackler Van Eskridge (104) along with veteran cornerback Travis Williams. Another corner, freshman Travis Simmons, was chosen to the league's all-rookie team after booking 27 stops and picking off a pass. In all, Smith has six years of experience as a defensive coordinator at the NCAA Division I-A level and 27 years as a collegiate coach, all coming on the defensive side of the ball. In the process, he played integral roles in six bowl game appearances. Prior to arriving at East Carolina, Smith served a one-year stint as a defensive backs coach for Berlin in NFL Europe, where he helped lead the Thunder to a 9-1 record and a 30-24 World Bowl victory over the Frankfurt Galaxy in June, 2004. Smith also played a key role in Berlin's league-high 15 interceptions, three of which came during its championship game win. Prior to his position in professional football, Smith spent two seasons as co-defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech in 2002 and 2003 after handling recruiting coordinator, assistant head coach and secondary duties at Southeastern Conference member Kentucky during the previous two seasons. While Cincinnati's defensive coordinator, Smith's unit stood fourth nationally in turnovers gained (34) in 2000 to help the Bearcats to a 7-5 record and an appearance in the Motor City Bowl. Before his two-year tenure at UC, he headed the Tulane defense where he played a pivotal role in the Green Wave's No. 7 national rank and undefeated (12-0) campaign in 1998 which was capped by a win over BYU in the Liberty Bowl. In 1997, he helped Tulane to a 7-4 mark while topping the nation in interceptions with 26. Smith enjoyed an earlier seven-year tenure at Kentucky, serving as the Wildcats' secondary coach before being promoted to the coordinator position in 1996. He was part of a UK program which earned a Peach Bowl matchup against Clemson in 1993. From 1987 to 1989, he worked under legendary College Football Hall of Fame inductee Grant Teaff at Baylor. His appointment as the Bears' secondary coach followed a one-year stay on Ray Perkins' staff at Alabama where he helped guide the Crimson Tide to a 28-6 win over Washington in the 1986 Sun Bowl while working in a similar capacity. While serving as a linebackers (1982), secondary and punters coach (1983-85) during his second stint at Georgia Tech, Smith helped the Yellow Jackets to an All-American Bowl win over Michigan State in 1985. He also spent time on the East Tennessee State staff after beginning his collegiate coaching career at Georgia Tech in 1977 as its head freshmen coach. Smith also directed the rebuilding efforts at two high school programs as head coach, taking the Marianna (Fla.) fortunes from a 1-9 campaign in 1979 to a 7-3 mark in 1981 before leading Wakulla (Fla.) to an 8-2 record in 1975. Smith, who earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from Florida State in 1971, is married to the former Barbara Reddick and they are the parents of three children - Beth, Steve and Billy. |
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