Arthur Smith (American football, born 1982)

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Arthur Smith
refer to caption
Smith with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021
Atlanta Falcons
Position:Head coach
Personal information
Born: (1982-05-27) May 27, 1982 (age 39)
Memphis, Tennessee
Career information
High school:Georgetown Preparatory School
College:North Carolina
Career history
As a coach:
  • North Carolina (2006)
    Graduate assistant
  • Washington Redskins (2007–2008)
    Defensive quality control coach
  • Ole Miss (2010)
    Defensive intern/administrative assistant
  • Tennessee Titans (2011)
    Defensive quality control coach
  • Tennessee Titans (2012)
    Offensive quality control coach
  • Tennessee Titans (2013)
    Offensive line/tight ends assistant
  • Tennessee Titans (2014–2015)
    Assistant tight ends coach
  • Tennessee Titans (2015–2018)
    Tight ends coach
  • Tennessee Titans (2019–2020)
    Offensive coordinator
  • Atlanta Falcons (2021–present)
    Head coach
Head coaching record
Regular season:7–8 (.467)
Coaching stats at PFR

Arthur William Smith (born May 27, 1982) is an American football coach who is the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Smith previously served as an assistant coach for the Tennessee Titans, most recently as an offensive coordinator, prior to becoming head coach of the Falcons in 2021. Smith is the son of FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith.

Early years and playing career[]

Smith was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on May 27, 1982. He attended Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, Maryland, where he played on the offensive line and was team captain. He also saw some action at defensive tackle. Smith also participated in track, lacrosse, and basketball. In his high school career, Smith was a first-team all-state selection at offensive line, two-time all-conference, and first-team All-Metro by The Washington Post.[1]

Smith was a guard for North Carolina from 2001 to 2005. He was a redshirt freshman in 2001. Smith only played in a single game for the 2002 season as he was diagnosed with a foot problem and did not play the remainder of the season. Smith had foot surgery in January 2003 and missed the entire 2003 season. Smith saw little action in 2004 and in 2005. After graduating in 2006, Smith became a graduate assistant for North Carolina.[1]

Coaching career[]

Washington Redskins[]

Smith became the defensive quality control coach for the Washington Redskins in 2007. He would stay at that position through 2008.[2]

Ole Miss[]

Smith was hired as a defensive intern and administrative assistant for Ole Miss in 2010.

Tennessee Titans[]

Smith was hired to become the defensive quality control coach for the Tennessee Titans in 2011 under new head coach Mike Munchak. Smith then became the offensive quality coach for the 2012 season. He was promoted to the assistant offensive line and assistant tight ends coach in 2013. Munchak was fired after the 2013 season and new head coach Ken Whisenhunt retained Smith as the assistant tight ends coach. Mid-way through the 2015 season, Whisenhunt was fired and replaced by tight ends coach Mike Mularkey. Mularkey was kept as head coach for the 2016 season and so was Smith as the new tight ends coach. When Mularkey was fired after the 2017 season, new head coach Mike Vrabel kept Smith as the tight ends coach for 2018.[3]

On January 21, 2019, Smith was promoted to offensive coordinator, replacing Matt LaFleur, who departed to become head coach of the Green Bay Packers two weeks prior.[4][5] In his first year as offensive coordinator, Smith oversaw the highest-scoring Titans team in 16 years, with Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill, and Jonnu Smith having career years. Smith was praised for his play-calling in the Titans' 28-12 win over the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round.[6][7]

Atlanta Falcons[]

Smith in 2021

On January 15, 2021, Smith was hired to become the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.[8]

2021 season[]

See also: 2021 Atlanta Falcons season

On September 12, 2021, Smith lost in his head coaching debut against the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 6–32. On September 26, 2021, Smith received his first career win as a head coach in the 17–14 win against the New York Giants.

Head coaching record[]

Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
ATL 2021 7 8 0 .467 TBD — — — —
Total 7 8 0 .467 0 0 .000

Personal life[]

Smith and his wife, Allison, reside in Atlanta, Georgia, with their three children, Tanner, Sophie, and William.[9][10] Smith's father is FedEx founder and CEO Frederick W. Smith.[11] He has nine siblings, including sisters Windland Smith Rice and Molly Smith.

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Arthur Smith bio". GoHeels.com. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  2. ^ "Former Tar Heel Arthur Smith Coaching In Washington". TarHeelTimes.com. August 23, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  3. ^ Gray, Nicklaus (January 21, 2019). "What to know about new Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith". Tennessean.com. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  4. ^ Wyatt, Jim (January 21, 2019). "Titans Promote Arthur Smith to Offensive Coordinator". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  5. ^ "Matt LaFleur named Green Bay's 15th head coach". Packers.com. January 8, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  6. ^ Kasabian, Paul (January 11, 2020). "Derrick Henry, Titans Stun Lamar Jackson, Ravens; Advance to AFC Championship". BleacherReport.com.
  7. ^ "Mike Vrabel's Dick Deal May Have Already Decided This Year's Super Bowl". January 17, 2020.
  8. ^ Tabeek, Matthew (January 15, 2020). "Falcons, Arthur Smith agree to terms to be head coach". www.atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  9. ^ Wyatt, Jim (January 21, 2019). "Arthur Smith". TitansOnline.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  10. ^ Estes, Gentry (October 31, 2019). "With a new son, Titans coordinator Arthur Smith juggling football and fatherhood". tennessean.com. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  11. ^ Birkett, Dave (December 20, 2020). "Detroit Lions will get up-close look at Titans OC Arthur Smith, a hot head coach candidate". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 10, 2021.

External links[]

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