Mike_Smith_(linebacker)

Mike Smith (linebacker)

Mike Smith (linebacker)

American football player and coach (born 1981)

For other people named Michael Smith, see Michael Smith (disambiguation).

Michael Lee Smith (born September 2, 1981) is an American football coach for the Minnesota Vikings and a former linebacker. He played for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL) and Texas Tech at the collegiate level. He was drafted by the Ravens in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He was most recently the outside linebackers coach for the Green Bay Packers.

Quick Facts Personal information, Born: ...

Early years

Smith attended Coronado High School in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas. In his senior year, he recorded 182 tackles and five interceptions.

College career

Smith played college football at the linebacker position for Texas Tech. In 2001, he was named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and All-Big 12 Freshman Team. During his time there, he started in 45 games and is one of only five other Red Raider players to play in 50 games. He graduated in 2004 with a degree in communication studies.[1]

Mike Smith tackling Dominique Zeigler from the Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Baylor Bears in 2004.

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens

Smith was originally signed by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round (234th overall) in the 2005 NFL Draft.[2] In his rookie year he played in six games recording three tackles. He made his NFL debut on October 31 at the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2006, he played in eight games again recording three tackles.[3] Smith made his first career start against the Tennessee Titans on November 12, 2006, in place of the injured Ray Lewis.[4] On the first play of the game, the Ravens blitzed. Smith was cut by Titans' center Kevin Mawae and fell onto his left shoulder. He suffered a torn labrum, rotator cuff, biceps tendon and dislocated the shoulder. Over the course of the following year and a half, Smith underwent surgery four times to correct his injuries.[4] He received an injury settlement from the Ravens on July 18, 2008, and was released.[5]

Coaching career

Hawaii

Smith served as the linebackers coach at the University of Hawaii for one year.[4]

New York Jets

He joined the Jets prior to the start of the season as an intern.[4] Linebacker Aaron Maybin has credited Smith for rejuvenating his career.[4]

Smith was hired by Washington State head coach Mike Leach on December 13, 2011, to serve as the team's linebackers coach.[6] However, Smith elected to stay with the Jets after being promoted to the outside linebackers coach position.[7] Smith received an offer from West Virginia University where he was said to have the opportunity to coach the linebackers in addition to having co-coordinator responsibilities, which he accepted.[8] After discovering that the job did not entail the responsibilities he had thought would be provided, he returned to the Jets.[9]

Texas Tech

In late December 2012, Smith was hired to be the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He reunited with former teammate Kliff Kingsbury, who became the team's head coach earlier the same month.[10] Smith was promoted to the full defensive coordinator position following the resignation of Matt Wallerstedt and added defensive line coaching duties for 2015. It was announced that he would not return to Texas Tech following the 2015 season.[11]

Kansas City Chiefs

Smith was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs as their assistant defensive line coach on April 1, 2016.[12] On January 29, 2018, the Chiefs they had changed Smith's title to outside linebackers coach.[13]

Green Bay Packers

On January 25, 2019, he was hired by the Green Bay Packers to serve as the outside linebackers coach.[14] On February 18, 2022, Smith stepped away from the Green Bay Packers to pursue other opportunities.

Minnesota Vikings

Smith was hired by the Minnesota Vikings to serve as the outside linebackers/ pass rush specialist for the 2022 season.

References

  1. [1]
    "Mike Smith Profile". Texas Tech University. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
  2. [2]
    "2005 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  3. [3]
    "NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2021 | Yahoo Sports".
  4. [4]
    Mehta, Manish (December 10, 2011). "NY Jets intern Mike Smith has helped Aaron Maybin become sack monster once again for Rex Ryan's defense". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on November 15, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  5. [5]
    "Mike Smith". Rotoworld. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  6. [6]
    "Leach going to NFL ranks for LB coach?". Cougfan.com. December 13, 2011. Archived from the original on January 14, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  7. [7]
    Vrentas, Jenny (January 10, 2012). "Jets begin to make changes to coaching staff". The Star Ledger. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  8. [8]
    Mehta, Manish (January 17, 2012). "Sources: Todd Haley unlikely to join the Jets' staff; OLBs coach Mike Smith accepts position at West Virginia". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  9. [9]
    Mehta, Manish (February 2, 2012). "Sources: Mike Smith returns to Jets as outside linebackers coach". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  10. [10]
    Mehta, Manish (December 22, 2012). "NY Jets outside linebackers coach Mike Smith to leave for Texas Tech after season: sources". New York Daily News. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  11. [11]
    Williams, Don (November 30, 2015). "Mike Smith says Texas Tech coaches were told of dismissal before season started". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  12. [12]
    "Chiefs Announce Coaching Staff Changes For 2016". www.chiefs.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016.
  13. [13]
    "Chiefs Announce Coaching Staff Changes". Chiefs.com.
  14. [14]
    "Packers name Mike Smith outside linebackers coach". Packers.com.
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