In praise of Smitty, the best coach the Falcons have ever had
For everyone's sake: Take care of yourself, Coach. (AP photo)
To borrow from Dr. Johnson, nothing concentrates the mind like being rushed to the hospital with chest pains. To those of us who follow the Falcons, news that Mike Smith’s team had returned from Charlotte without its coach had a different concentrating effect. It made us ponder a sobering question: If the Falcons were to be without Smitty for however long, how would they be?
Answer: Not nearly as good.
Because Mike Smith works so diligently to take no credit, we forget how much credit is due. He isn’t just the best coach in Falcons history — he’s the best coach in Falcons history by the width of Grady Jackson.
If we don’t count the assorted interims and we count Marion Campbell only once — although we do list Grover Cleveland as both the 22nd and 24th President of these United States — the Falcons have had 11 head coaches in their 46 seasons. Only three of those have compiled a winning record while based here: Leeman Bennett, who was 46-41; Jim Mora, who was 26-22, and Smitty, whose worksheet of 41-20 renders him the Birds’ version of Vincent Thomas Lombardi.
This is how good Smith has been: No other Falcons coach — not even the estimable Dan Reeves, who took this team to a Super Bowl — ever managed consecutive winning seasons. If the Falcons beat Jacksonville on Thursday night, Smitty will have gone 4-for-4. Add Norb Hecker and Norm Van Brocklin and Dan Henning and Jerry Glanville and June Jones and the 13 games of Bobby Petrino and the two terms of Swampy Campbell together, and you’ll get a total of four winning seasons.
For more than four decades a forlorn franchise sought a man this good, and now that one has been found and retained the man himself acts as if the Falcons are still doing him a favor to let him coach. Actually, it’s the other way around. With Mike Smith, we don’t get the rages of Van Brocklin or the smugness of Henning or Mora or the gimmicks of Glanville or the exit strategy of the Tyrannosaurus Rat Petrino. We get instead a professional coach coaching professionally, and thank goodness for that.
No, Smith hasn’t yet won a playoff game, and that gnaws at him. Everything gnaws at him, which might be a reason he wound up in the hospital. He doesn’t want to win a Super Bowl to burnish his own legend. In Smith’s mind, there’s nothing legendary about him. He’s just a guy who goes to work early and stays late, same as all the other guys coaching in the NFL. Like every assistant, he wanted to run his own club someday, but the feeling persists that Smitty could have spent another 10 years as a defensive coordinator and retired a happy man.
In Smith’s mind, he got outrageously lucky. A franchise that had been wrecked turned to a Jacksonville assistant who, far from being a Hot Name, had the sort of name seen on registers at no-tell motels. The Falcons gave him a chance, and 11 1/2 months later they were in playoffs. He hasn’t dazzled us with verbiage or blinded us with ego. He has just gone out and won two of every three games. His winning percentage, you might be surprised to know, is better than Sean Payton’s, better even than Bill Belichick’s.
This isn’t to say this season has been a smooth ride. Through 13 games this has been the most nettling of Smith’s tenure. He tries his best never to say anything critical of his players, but a couple of times he has let it slip that his Falcons haven’t yet played anything resembling “a complete game.” (After losing in Houston, he even allowed that was “mad.”) This is the most talented roster he has had, and it hasn’t yet played to capacity. That said …
It’s 8-5. If the playoffs commenced today, the Falcons would qualify as the NFC’s No. 5 seed, and if you get in you can stick around. (The Falcons know this too well. Smith’s playoff losses have been to a 9-7 Arizona team and to sixth-seeded Green Bay, both of which reached the Super Bowl.)
There’s a chance these Birds could do something similar. They’re talented enough, and they play better defense than Green Bay or New Orleans. If this offense ever clicked for four quarters, who knows what might happen?
But enough. We can worry about the playoffs later. For now, it’s enough to know that the most difficult season under Smitty has put the Falcons in position to finish 10-6, and there were times — heck, there were decades — when just breaking .500 would have been cause for civic celebration. In his humble way, Mike Smith has changed all that. He has made us expect more and better. He’s a heck of a coach.
By Mark Bradley
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311 comments Add your comment
Chattanooga Chuck
December 14th, 2011
9:54 am
I always wonder where we’d be if Petrino had not quit when he did. Who would be our coach now? Would Brian Brohm be our quarterback?
I’ve been a Falcon fan since the last days of the Norb Hecker regime in 1968. This period of consistent winning is something new. Not only is Mike Smith a fine coach, but he’s the kind of person who is easy to root for.
todd grantham
December 14th, 2011
9:55 am
memories: Cannonball Butler. Dave Hampton losing a dozen yards to prevent going over 1,000 rushing. Van Brocklin choking Frank Hyland and wanting to stack chairs. Leeman’s Deemons. Dan Henning smoking like a train on the sidelines. Marion Campbell twice. Grits Blitz. Dirty Bird. All hollow illusions compaired to Mike Smith.
Theo
December 14th, 2011
9:55 am
Bradley put down the pipe! The best Falcons coach ever? Dan Reeves took this team to the Super Bowl! Until Smitty does that he will be second fiddle.
blazerdawg
December 14th, 2011
9:55 am
Agree with yunell – thankful for CMS, but Reeves changed the Falcons’ culture.
I am surprised that there is only a passing mention of Coach Leeman Bennett. The city was completely turned-on by the Falcons in 1978 – 82. Those will always be the good ol days of Falcon history to me.
todd grantham
December 14th, 2011
9:56 am
Best player Falcons have ever had? Their very first pick. Tommy Nobis.
todd grantham
December 14th, 2011
9:58 am
in the words of the late Rankin Smith, the Falcons had “plateaued” under Bennett. Little did he know how bad the next 20 years would be.
vafalconfan
December 14th, 2011
10:02 am
Mark- Smitty is the best and while we’re at it you’re one of the best writers the AJC has ever had. Merry Christmas!
todd grantham
December 14th, 2011
10:04 am
for the great unwashed, this is Grady Jackson.
http://trialx.com/curetalk/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2011/07/sports/Grady_Jackson-1.jpg
Bobo is Not the Problem
December 14th, 2011
10:07 am
Not a high compliment from a guy who defines “best” as “most media-friendly.”
Keeball
December 14th, 2011
10:08 am
Pat Peppler
Connie Lingous
December 14th, 2011
10:09 am
LOL!!
Reeves took us to the Bowl, Smitty hasn’t won a playoff game.
Come on Mark ….
Bobo is Not the Problem
December 14th, 2011
10:11 am
Hampton did not lose a dozen yards to end up below 1000. It was a 6-yard loss.
It’s also an amazing statistic that for 3 seasons in a row (interrupted only by missing most of a season due to injury), he finished between 995-1002 yards.
Bobo is Not the Problem
December 14th, 2011
10:12 am
Rickster, you are, by definition, a LOSER.
Congratulations.
#2 All Time Falcon Matt Ryan
December 14th, 2011
10:15 am
Bust,
You’re a freaking moron, Mark mentioned the lack of playoff wins…
Oh and Vick will be sitting home DREAMING of being in the playoffs.
Mark Bradley
December 14th, 2011
10:18 am
Thanks, vafalconfan.
Gordon
December 14th, 2011
10:19 am
I think it starts with Arthur Blank, who hired Dimitroff, who hired Smith. We have good management from the top down now.
Bobo is Not the Problem
December 14th, 2011
10:20 am
You who think Mike Smith is too conservative: did you think going for it on 4th down from your own 29 in OT was conservative?
Vince Dooley was always considered conservative, yet he ran as many trick plays as anybody. The ’shoestring’ vs. Vandy, and the reverse pass (Appleby to Washington, or was it vice-versa) to beat Florida in the mid-70s immediately spring to mind.
Smith likes to pound it out with the running game — so do I — but is he really “conservative”?
The only thing I’d like to see less conservatism in is play calls inside the 5. It’s a great place for a P/A pass, yet we often seem to want to prove our manhood by running the ball. Just score, forget the manhood. He seems to be turning in that direction based on recent games.
BillyBob
December 14th, 2011
10:22 am
I love this time of year when every fan of an team that is still alive in the playoff picture can still believe in miracles. For Atlanta that would be at least one game where they played strong for 4 quarters. Will it happen, who knows? Maybe I’ll wake up one morning and there will be hair on my head and a six pack where there was a gut the night before. Thanks Smitty for keeping the dream alive!
Mark Bradley
December 14th, 2011
10:24 am
Last I checked, you have to qualify for the playoffs to lose a playoff game.
Shug
December 14th, 2011
10:30 am
Until Mike Smith (Smitty?) or any other Falcons coach wins multiple Super Bowls in a reasonable period of time, the greatest Falcon coach will remain The Dutchman, Norm Van Brocklin.
Statick
December 14th, 2011
10:31 am
Thank Goodness for Smitty. Best hire Arthur Blank has ever done for the franchise.
Glenn
December 14th, 2011
10:32 am
You just made Leeman Bennett shed a tear : ( Man Mike Smith has had almost no competition for this award .
Adulthood
December 14th, 2011
10:32 am
Would you please stop referring to Coach Smith as “Smitty.” This is not ESPN, where everyone is referred to by some lame nickname.
Herby, Greenie, Dickie V, the Professor, Schefty, Mort, . . . gag. . . .
Moorman
December 14th, 2011
10:32 am
The best coach was dan reeves………..
SawThat1nce
December 14th, 2011
10:33 am
Would you rather have Payton and Brees or Smith and Ryan?
You can keep Payton, or drop him off at the drug store, whatever.
I would like to have Brees on the Falcons as the #2 QB.
They could then trade Brees for a couple or three monster OLine men, draft choices, or something to strenghten the OLine.
Chris
December 14th, 2011
10:33 am
“Tyrannosaurus Rat Petrino” I love it! And yea, Smith is the best coach the Falcs have ever had.
Whiskey Breath
December 14th, 2011
10:35 am
It won’t work Mark. Smith doesn’t give a damn about sucking up. So Jeff has agreed to be the anti- Falcons and you will be the homer Falcons. When did you and Jeff decide that?
Are you sure the formula will work? Will see…..
Yo Vince
December 14th, 2011
10:38 am
NO DOUBT! Smitty is the best thing that ever happened to the Falcons. Matt Ryan #2. I feel like we can win any and every game. For the past 35 years if being a fan, I would look at the schedule and go Oh, that’s a loss, that’s a loss, no way we beat them on the road, they will kill us, etc, etc….. Now I go, hey we may be 11 and 5 or 12 and 4. Maybe a 1st round by, maybe a home playoff game. I’m driving from Orange Beach, Al tomorrow morning with my 15 year old son to watch our Falcons clinch another winning season, more than likely move into the driver seat in a playoff position again. Not you Daddy’s Falcons. My son’s Falcons, the good team that always has a chance to win. Thanks Smitty
headley lamar
December 14th, 2011
10:40 am
Thats a pretty low bar but agreed he is.
Statick
December 14th, 2011
10:40 am
Smitty, Smitty, Smitty, Smitty, Smitty, Smitty, etc.
trademark
December 14th, 2011
10:40 am
Hi Mark-
Bought damned time someone said it. Understandably, it took last weeks second half gut-check (on two levels) to bear that out and clarify it a little, but nevertheless….thank you.
There are lapses here and there, and the conservative so-called “Smitty-Ball” that drives everyone nuts (but still produces more W’s than L’s…funny….) But. it is a relief as a LONG time Falcon fan to have stability and the identity of a winning franchise associated with us. Even during the Reeves tenure, it was more of a shock they made it to the Super Bowl than an expectation. Now we have the target well in sight all the time. Loving it.
Thanks again, Mark.
Dontavius Supremo
December 14th, 2011
10:43 am
He is clearly the most successful coach Atlanta has had, Dan Reeves notwithstanding. Even though Reeves got them to the Super Bowl, he only had three winning seasons out of seven. Go Smitty, you da man!
Mark Bradley
December 14th, 2011
10:44 am
The reason I refer to Mike Smith as Smitty is because the nickname is so universal even his wife invokes it.
I Agree with Adulthood
December 14th, 2011
10:46 am
I don’t know who the best coach is. Maybe it was Brock, but it could have been Heckie. Other candidates would include Peppie, Glannie, Henny, or even Mo-Dog (Mora) or Petty. Reevie did take them to the Big Dance. But no one has had more winning seasons than Smitty.
Mathman
December 14th, 2011
10:49 am
Smith’s Falcons get better as the season goes along, and this is no exception. Take a look at Green Bay’s record thru 13 games last season. It looks eerily similar to the Falcon’s record this season. The Super Bowl prediction is right on target!!!
ohmy
December 14th, 2011
10:50 am
tyrannosaurus rat…yeah. i still pull for whoever is playing arkansas…petrino…phtooey
Rickster
December 14th, 2011
10:50 am
I don’t know what dictionary you’re using Bozo – I mean Bobo – but someone who calls someone else a loser is generally regarded as the bigger loser.
BraveFalcon
December 14th, 2011
10:56 am
Smitty for Prez! Fredi Gonzales for Vice Prez, and Bobby Cox for Speaker! Atlanta has finally become a sports town. Smitty is the greatest coach ever.
extremus
December 14th, 2011
10:57 am
While some quickly point to the fact that Mike Smith hasn’t yet won a playoff game and, especially this season, many are questioning the ability of this team to get to the “next level” under their current coaching (though I lay most of that at the feet of Brian Van Gorder and Mike Mularkey), the fact is the Falcons could have done SO MUCH WORSE. And as Mr. Bradley’s article states, despite the lack of playoff success to date there has been a culture reversal under Mike Smith’s tenure, one with winning and team-oriented expectations.
You don’t read about too many distractions with the Falcons as of late, and when that happens they tend to be swiftly addressed and the team moves forward. Unlike so many of his predecessors Smith preaches a short memory win or lose, and the Falcons have rarely lost consecutive games under his leadership; that Braves glory days-style sense of professionalism and even-keeledness (if that’s even a real word) would have been hard-pressed to come about under ANY coach regardless of their reputation, especially after the Petrino/Vick disaster.
Would I prefer to see more dominance and killer instinct from the Falcons? Absolutely, and that’s something the Falcons must evaluate regarding their offensive coordinator in particular. Has Smith made mistakes? Absolutely (his fourth down call in overtime against the Saints, which I liked but HATED the play call to run up the middle). But we fans have seen more than enough to know that we have much to be thankful for the past four years; I know there are PLENTY of NFL teams out there who’d LOVE to have Mike Smith as their head coach right about now. Here’s hoping this unassuming coach will soon reward Atlanta (and be rewarded) with a Superbowl championship.
FalconsGirl
December 14th, 2011
10:57 am
I love this article!
We love you Coach!!
Gary
December 14th, 2011
10:58 am
Although Smith has clearly had the most regular season success, I’ll have to agree with the Dan Reeves supporters for now. The playoff success, actually making it to the Super Bowl, is quite a resume stuffer. Reeves was a class act every where he coached and played. Few people realize he has participated in more Super Bowls as a player and coach than anyone else. He played in two Super Bowls, and also was an assistant coach in three more, and was head coach in four more Super Bowls with Denver and the Falcons. If Mike can top that, I’ll join you with saying he is the Falcons best coach ever.
Shug
December 14th, 2011
11:05 am
Why no mention of Luman Harris? Didn’t he coach the Birds for a while.
ATL
December 14th, 2011
11:07 am
The falcons have had a lot of injuries and bad breaks this year. Next year, they should be a lot better and win a playoff game.
Mermaid
December 14th, 2011
11:08 am
The most salient point in this blog came near the end…”If this offense clicked for four quarters, who knows what might happen.” FIRE MULARKEY!
I agree Mike Smith is a great coach, but he needs to cut that Mularkey albatross from around his neck. Ever notice how well and in sync we look when we’re in the “no-huddle?” I’m just saying.
SawThat1nce
December 14th, 2011
11:11 am
In my opinion, the reason that the Falcons made it to the SB under Reeves, was due to the terrible coaching job of the Vikings Headcoach(I think his name is Dennis Green), in the NFC Championship Game, that year.
Die Hard Falcon
December 14th, 2011
11:12 am
MB- Or anyone else that might know the answer:
Side note/question: I read that the aints only have to win this week to clinch, that cannot be right, if I recall if we were to win out and they lose to us and then lose in week 17 to the panthers, wouldn’t we win the division? We’d have the same record at 11-5, and 1-1 in head-to-head, the next tie-breaker is division record right? And we’d be 4-2, while they’d be 3-3 losing once to each team. Let me know if you can if I’m forgetting something or incorrect.
Anyone know?
PlanB
December 14th, 2011
11:13 am
MS has brought respectability to the Falcons but Arthur Blank has given more support than any of Rankin Smith’s coaches got.
I am agreeing with the posts that say we would have a better record using Sean Peyton and his agressive coaches than we do with MS and his conservative style and most of our wins would not have been nail bitters.
Jack G.
December 14th, 2011
11:15 am
The coach who did the most with the least was Norb Hecker. The players he had were not the best and he really worked a miracle with them,
.
Double Zero Eight
December 14th, 2011
11:17 am
Smith is obviously the best coach yet…..no one else
is really close. It’s time to take it to the next level.
He has to devise an outstanding game plan for the playoffs,
in order for the Falcons to stand a chance of going deep
into the playoffs. The only way the Falcons could stand
a chance against Green Bay would be with an “immaculate”
game plan which is executed by the offense, defense and
special teams. They had such a game plan when they played
Minnesota for the NFC championship. Kudos to Dan Reeves for
that accomplishment. Reeves is number two in my view.
Die Hard Falcon
December 14th, 2011
11:18 am
For that matter, if they lose (fat chance) to the Vikings this week, and we win out, we should win the division too. We would have the same record, the same head-to-head, the same division record, but we’d beat them on the conf. losses, all of theirs would be conference, but 4 of our 5 would be. I think the article on AJC that says the aints only need to win 1 of their last 3 to clinch (unless of course they beat us)the division is incorrect, if we win out and they lose to either the Vikings or Panthers, we win the division. I’ll actually have to cheer for scam or hope AP is playing this week and that Jared Allen has a couple strip sacks against the aints. Anyway, GO FALCONS!!!