This hasn't been picked up locally, which tells you all you need to know about local media, but Mike Smith- who probably was the greatest linebacker in the history of ETSU- had his second interview with the Atlanta Falcons on Friday for their head coach vacancy.
Smith was the linebackers coach of the Baltimore Ravens when they won the Super Bowl in 2000-01. He's been the Jacksonville Jaguars' defensive coordinator since Jack Del Rio became the coach there.
Thoughts?
Not very familiar with Smith. When did he play at ETSU?
That would be glorious and our local press should eat that up!
As one of the very few Falcon fans in the area, not only am I excited that someone wants the job, but he's a state grad as well! I look for him or Rex Ryan the D-Coordinator at Baltimore to get the job.
The story will get reported on television, and hopefully Kenny/Kasey will pick up on the local twist, dig into some archives and get video of him playing here.
From Avento's article today, just in case someone didn't see it:
"When Mike Smith was hired as head coach by the Atlanta Falcons, not to many people got real excited.
How’s he looking now?
The former East Tennessee State linebacker has the Falcons on the right track at 7-4. It’s a remarkable turnaround for a franchise that was in complete disarray just a year ago.
When Michael Vick was sentenced to prison last year and coach Bobby Petrino walked out to take the Arkansas job, it looked as though it would take the franchise decade to recover.
In came Smith, who joined the team without the flash many coaches bring. He drafted quarterback Matt Ryan, who, as it turns out, was ready to play in the NFL, and the team is on the rise.
While the Falcons flying high, it’s worth mentioning that the team Smith left, the Jacksonville Jaguars, are 4-7.
Smith, the favorite for coach of the year, is part of a group of first-year coaches trying to become the winningest group of rookies since the league went to the 16-game schedule in 1978. Washington’s Jim Zorn, Baltimore’s John Harbaugh and Miami’s Tony Sporano have a combined winning percentage of .614."