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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
311 comments Add your comment
True Falcon Fan
December 14th, 2011
2:46 pm
OK —- so what —– U want me to git-it-wright Hillbilly!!!! OK- U – R – wright for probably once in your life “HillBilly”
P B Orr
December 14th, 2011
2:47 pm
True Falcon Fan – I was a teeny bopper then, my Dad bought a Heathkit TV and said “Build this before the playoff game!” so we watched in in glorious black matrix remote controlled color. Still remember the names – Tim Mazzetti, Ralph Ortega, Jim Mitchell, etc. etc. We were 9-7 and didn’t get in until the last day. It was the first year of 16 game seasons. We led the Girls at halftime of that game! All season long we had barely broken 20, but were leading Doomsday 20-13 at the half. I sure hope we don’t face the Cowboys in the first round this year. I’m sick of them.
Mr. Panic Button
December 14th, 2011
2:48 pm
Smitty has a winning record, help turn the franchise around, etc., etc. But we have to abandon the we’re a running team first and bend but don’t break philosophies starting Thursday.
Let’s hope Smitty let Ryan take the reins from here on out and call the plays. Let Mularkey give Matt 20-25 plays for the game to call as he sees fit and the Falcons might put that elusive 4 quarter performance together before season’s end.
Leeman Bennett
December 14th, 2011
2:48 pm
No doubt, Leeman Bennett was the best Falcon’s coach.
True Falcon Fan
December 14th, 2011
2:49 pm
Freddie is a BAD copy —- He’s got BIG shoes to fill, for sure — let’s let it go —- this blog is for the Falcons!!!!
Go Falcons Jags Next
JSS
December 14th, 2011
2:49 pm
I read it, but as Paul Johnson put it Mentally deficient one (Yo Vince), as usual when you “lie” and can’t come up with “actually creative” punchlines, you just discount the source. It would be another miracle… I’m 20 years younger than youngest of my Sisters… I won’t hurt your feelings trying to making your infantile meth riddled oxycotin fogged brain figure out the impossibility of your bad joke telling gone awry… But remember, when you see the hazmat suits and hear barking dogs, put your dentures in, it looks better on the mug shot…
Hillbilly D
December 14th, 2011
2:50 pm
then it stands to reason that Chris Chandler is the best Falcon QB ever; right?
Well, he did do something that none of the others did, win an NFC Championship game.
Jim
December 14th, 2011
2:50 pm
Rankin Smith would not spend the money, Blank did. Smith can only coach what he has, so any major praise should go to whoever is responsible for getting players signed on the dotted lines. Most of the coaches you mentioned would have done well with the talent Smith has had on the field. The jury is still out on him, I say.
True Falcon Fan
December 14th, 2011
2:51 pm
Leeman —- You are probably would correctoMON-do if he and Eddie Lehbaron had stayed —- but Ole Rankin took care of that, didn’t he???
JSS
December 14th, 2011
2:55 pm
And Ortega was a scrub on the 78 team, Pennywell beat him out in camp…
JSS
December 14th, 2011
2:57 pm
@ Hillbilly…
I wonder how many of those Bartkowski is the greatest bunch would act today if he threw up a stinker like he did in 1978?
Jim
December 14th, 2011
2:57 pm
Never won a playoff game and the greatest ever? I think your superlative is a bit premature. The Falcons might not even make the playoffs (should have lost Sunday).
True Falcon Fan
December 14th, 2011
2:59 pm
Chris Chandler best Falcons QB ever??? He had a VERY soft head, “CONCUSSION PRONE”… Stat wise Chris will not beat out #10 Steve Bartkowski —— However Chris did take us to the 1st SB – promise land as second fiddle (2nd sucks) also it was a “FLUKE”! As bad as i hate to admit that point.
2011 —- Go Falcons —– Jags next
Falcons Fan
December 14th, 2011
2:59 pm
But of course he is. We need to get a playoff win this year to add on.
RM
December 14th, 2011
3:01 pm
If you don’t like Smitty then you haven’t lived here long enough to understand.
jay
December 14th, 2011
3:01 pm
He’s low-key. I don’t remember seeing five interviews from him in his whole tenure. He hasn’t embarassed the nfl, city or team. Smith was a good hire.
Hillbilly D
December 14th, 2011
3:02 pm
JSS
I think, if you’re just talking tools and physical ability, Bartkowski probably was the best but “tools and ability” aren’t one of the things that are in lights on the scoreboard. In my mind, the difference in good and great is W’s.
Painful truth
December 14th, 2011
3:02 pm
Falcon Fans are sooooooo Funny!!!! Someone said earlier, he is top five in the league!!! Better than Payton, Tomlin, McCarthy, Belichek, BOTH of the Harbaugh Brothers, Reid, Ryan,……..Yep thats the ticket…LMAO…Toooooo FUNNY!!!!
Stevie B
December 14th, 2011
3:03 pm
Nice article Mark!! Smith certainly has earned this.
Yankee
December 14th, 2011
3:03 pm
What an idiotic article, but that’s to be expected from an idiot. Declaring any coach of this sad-sack franchise to be “the best” is a fool’s errand at best. However, if a fool must masturbate, then at least be at honest onanist. First, Bradley doesn’t even remember Van Brocklin. One reflects fondly on just how contemptuously the Dutchman would gaze upon the pencil-neck du jour. Second, Reeves, for all failures, did take the Falcons to the brink of ultimate success — just as he did the Broncos and Giants. That should be worth something, as weighed against an old coot whose claim to fame is getting slaughtered in 1 playoff game. Comparing this near-dead codger to Lombardi is odious, even for a pimp for a second-rate rag. But, I guess it warms the hearts of deluded buzzard-lovers. It’s all they have of which to be proud.
Die Hard Falcon
December 14th, 2011
3:03 pm
@falconion.4.life
I am not one to put MR2 in that category YET…However he has 16 4th qtr comebacks in 3 3/4 seasons. He has shown the ability to fight through a weak OL this year and is starting to heat up, I really believe that he will be the best Falcons QB in history when it’s all said and done. I also believe he’s top 10 current NFL QB’s.
And Smitty is the best Falcons HC, the numbers and win % don’t lie, I understand that 0-2 in the playoffs is rough, last year, no one was as sick as me living on the Wisconsin border and being in a house full of packer fans, but 1 or 2 games doesn’t compare w/ the consistency that he’s shown overall. And this might be our year to finally get a playoff win and maybe more if we start hitting on all cylinders. We have the talent and the continuity, if we eliminate the drops & penalities, we’ll be as dangerous as anyone.
Go Falcons!
Najeh Davenpoop
December 14th, 2011
3:05 pm
Dan Reeves was and is the best Falcons coach. He was just a horrible personnel evaluator, and the Falcons weren’t smart enough to strip him of those duties. With all apologies to Mike Smith, who is a good coach in his own right, he hasn’t won in the playoffs yet.
Hillbilly D
December 14th, 2011
3:07 pm
One reflects fondly on just how contemptuously the Dutchman would gaze upon the pencil-neck du jour.
Ah yes, who can forget when Ron Hudspeth asked his smart assed question of Van Brocklin, “Are you still a fighter?” and Dutch offered to show him.
True Falcon Fan
December 14th, 2011
3:10 pm
@JSS — “Wizard” ok here i go — i know you will remind me in the coming weeks ahead… I predict Smitty will get his 1st payoff win this coming post season and maybe 2 if we stay healthy! Anything can happen after two wins this post season for the Falcons……….. We shall seeeeeeeee
JSS
December 14th, 2011
3:16 pm
Norm talked himself out of the league… Sorry but he ruined way too many players trying make a point… If is funny how just as no nonsense Bud Grant elevated the Vikings after rid themselves of Van Brocklin within two years…
JSS
December 14th, 2011
3:17 pm
TTF, no time for you and your silliness today… Save it up for another time… And I’m being serious when I say that… Do you understand what I just typed?
keepinitreal
December 14th, 2011
3:22 pm
Chandler was pretty awesome in ‘97 and ‘98. During the Super Bowl year, he averaged a ridiculous 9.6 yards per attempt. To put into perspective how great that is, Aaron Rodgers is averaging 9.4 yards per attempt this year.
Bart is still No. 1 among Falcons QB’s, but Chandler had the best peak. Man, he threw a beautiful deep ball.
JSS
December 14th, 2011
3:23 pm
Reeves did himself in by not going out and getting a real talent person and actually listening to them… Every time I see I see Bryan Scott, Reggie Kelly, T.J. Duckett, and combination of horrible DBs he picked I just SMDH!
Yo Vince
December 14th, 2011
3:23 pm
JSS, there is nothing more pathetic than a Aint fan with No life, bloggin on a Falcon Fan page. Wait, check that, the only thing sadder is the drive into New Orleans on I-10. Go pick up trash on Canal St. and get off my teams blog.
JSS
December 14th, 2011
3:24 pm
Hillbilly and Davenpoop… have fun, off to a pro forma meeting…
JP
December 14th, 2011
3:24 pm
I agree, Mark. He’s a breath of fresh air for a franchise that needed it more than people realized…and that’s saying something!
JT
December 14th, 2011
3:25 pm
Doesn’t matter the Falcons still suck.
JSS
December 14th, 2011
3:25 pm
At Yo…. When you find a Saints fan, let me know! You’re gaining on some of the great blog idiots of all time!
True Falcon Fan
December 14th, 2011
3:32 pm
Just tryin’ to be friendly – however, Got it “Wizard” i knows you busy ain’t cha
PlanB
December 14th, 2011
3:34 pm
Jim @ 2:50 pm – I think you got it right. A. Blank gives his guys what they need.
Jimi Fowler
December 14th, 2011
3:35 pm
You know it is eerily similar to the 1998 year when Dan Reeves had Heart problems just past the midway point of the season and it pulled that team together and allowed them to accomplish the impossible, defeating an un-beatable team ( Minnesota ) Allah Green bay,,,, I’m just sayin
take it from me.
December 14th, 2011
3:46 pm
Its true that Mike Smith has stedied the ship,but to call him the best coach of the falcons is a little premature! i thank if Smith leads the falcons as dan Reeves to a superbowl,then we can call him the best falcons coach of all time.
take it from me.
December 14th, 2011
3:50 pm
Jami fowler—- history does not repete itself,be nice if it would.
Steelers fan
December 14th, 2011
3:55 pm
The best coach is Mike Tomlin of the Steelers. Bobby Petrino would be my favorite Falcon coach !!!!!
Meth Baby
December 14th, 2011
3:59 pm
JSS,, I must admit his sister joke was much better than your meth/denture joke.. Yo is right about one thing,, your not as funny as you think you are.
Meth Baby
December 14th, 2011
4:00 pm
Or as Smart
coloradobulldog
December 14th, 2011
4:03 pm
Have been a fan through all the Falcons coaches. Yes, Mike Smith is the best. No question. The only problem I have the article is ‘Smitty has put the Falcons in position to finish 10-6″. I’m not conceding that yet. If ATL wins tomorrow night, they get 10 days to rest. We beat NO last time we played them in their house in pretty similiar game to one we last lost here. We can beat those guys if we bring our A game and get pressure up the middle because Brees like to step up in the pocket when pressure comes. And looks like we may get Grimes back for that one. So I believe Falcons can still go 11-5.
Ackshun
December 14th, 2011
4:07 pm
10/6 Mark? I wouldn’t put a W in for that Saints game just yet.
keepinitreal
December 14th, 2011
4:08 pm
I think the hesitation by so many fans on this blog to annoint Smitty as the Falcons’ all-time greatest coach really speaks to how expectations have changed.
I said recently that the Falcons are starting to become perceived in much the same way the Braves were during their 14-year division title run. In a way, that’s a great thing. For the first time in the Falcons’ 45-year history, we’ve gotten to the point where we can feel relatively confident taking regular season success for granted. That’s the greatest achievement of the Mike Smith era. But it’s only natural when a team is consistently excelling in the regular season for their fans to expect playoff success to follow. Until the happens with the Falcons, they will be viewed with a large dose of skepticism.
You can’t emphasize enough how badly Atlanta sports fans are dying for postseason success. We’re tired of having to tip our caps to franchises like the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals, franchises that don’t freeze up when the bright lights of the postseason are on.
People say Atlanta sports fans are apathetic, but those people haven’t walked a mile in an Atlanta sports fan’s shoes. The Braves’ seemingly neverending string of October choke jobs will always haunt me as a fan. So will the Falcons getting pummelled on their home field as a No. 1 seed. (Losing to Green Bay was forgivable; losing 48-21 was not.)
Mike Smith and the Falcons won’t fully be embraced in this city until they win, and win big, in the playoffs. We want a hero. Here’s hoping Smitty can be that hero.l
The President
December 14th, 2011
4:11 pm
He’s the NFL version of Bobby Cox. Maybe he can win one. But you have to win a playoff game first. As far as TD goes name one great player he has drafted. I thought so.
True Falcon Fan
December 14th, 2011
4:13 pm
You guys just now figured that out about the “Wizard of OZ” — i mean JSS the “Walkin’ Book of Knowledge” i’m hir to tellya’ — he luv’s to dish it out, but can’t handle it when it comes back on —- give me a break LOLOLOLOLOLOL
billcanoe
December 14th, 2011
4:16 pm
I agree with you totally, Mark. Let’s hope Smitty gets to coach many more healthy, happy years here in the Big A.
True Falcon Fan
December 14th, 2011
4:17 pm
This ain’t “silliness” dis is “serious” dont cha know —– He’s busy he’s got a J.O.B. “i hope” — so’s he keeps payin’ me/my “social security” —- Hey wizard am i hittin’ any buttons yet???????????
True Falcon Fan
December 14th, 2011
4:21 pm
You want silliness — I see you haven’t been to the local “Pawn Shop” yet????
True Falcon Fan
December 14th, 2011
4:24 pm
Stick around everbody, you will soon hear “fire & breamstone” from the “Wizard of OZ aka JSS” very soon the fire is starting to flame……………