Richard Smith (American football coach)

Richard Smith (born October 17, 1955) is an American football coach who is the linebackers coach for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL).^[1] He has been defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, ^[2] as well as the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins, and a linebacker coach for the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders.^[3]

Richard Smith

Smith with the Atlanta Falcons in 2015
Indianapolis Colts
Position:	Linebackers coach
Personal information
Born:	(1955-10-17) October 17, 1955 (age 67) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Career information
College:	Fresno State
Career history
As a coach:
Rio Hondo Junior College (1979–1980) Offensive line coach Arizona State (1987) Linebackers coach & special teams coach Houston Oilers (1988–1992) Special teams coach & tight ends, linebackers & offensive line ass't Denver Broncos (1993–1994) Special teams coach & ass't linebackers coach Denver Broncos] (1995–1996) Special teams coach San Francisco 49ers (1997–2002) Linebackers coach Detroit Lions (2003–2004) Linebackers coach Miami Dolphins (2005) Defensive coordinator Houston Texans (2006–2008) Defensive coordinator Carolina Panthers (2009–2010) Linebackers coach Denver Broncos (2011–2014) Linebackers coach Atlanta Falcons (2015–2016) Defensive coordinator Los Angeles Chargers (2017–2020) Linebackers coach Las Vegas Raiders (2021) Linebackers coach Indianapolis Colts (2022–present) Linebackers coach
Coaching stats at PFR

Coaching career

Denver Broncos

Smith was hired by the Denver Broncos on January 25, 2011.^[4]

Atlanta Falcons

When the Atlanta Falcons hired Smith on January 26, 2015, the Falcons were the worst-ranked defense in passing yards in 2014 prior to his arrival.^[5] He was fired by the Falcons after their defensive collapse in Super Bowl LI, with defensive leadership being taken over by head coach Dan Quinn midway through the season.^[6][7][8]

Los Angeles Chargers

Smith was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers on February 13, 2017, as a linebackers coach.^[9][10]

Las Vegas Raiders

Smith was hired by the Las Vegas Raiders on January 12, 2021, as a linebackers coach.^[11]

References

1. "Chargers Hire Former Falcons DC Richard Smith As LBs Coach". nfltraderumors.co. 13 February 2017. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
2. "Sources: Smith, Morris to coach Falcons' D". 26 January 2015.
3. "Dolphins Tab Richard Smith Defensive Coordinator". KTVU. March 1, 2005. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
4. "Milus, Smith Join Staff". Retrieved 2017-02-13.
5. "Quick hits on new Falcons coaches Richard Smith, Raheem Morris". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
6. "Chargers hire Richard Smith, wrap up Anthony Lynn's first staff". 13 February 2017. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
7. Chadiha, Jeffri. "Falcons' historic collapse leads to Patriots' fifth Super Bowl win". NFL. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
8. "Super Bowl LI – New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons –February 5th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
9. Ledbetter, D. Orlando. "Former defensive coordinator Smith lands with Chargers". ajc. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
10. "Chargers hire Richard Smith as LBs coach, announce full coaching staff". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
11. Williamson, Bill (January 12, 2021). "Chargers' coaches Ron Milus and Richard Smith set to join Gus Bradley at Raiders". Silver & Black Pride.