Community college football: Pirates promote Smith

Steve Virgen

Doug Smith, a 14-year NFL veteran, has been named assistant head

football coach at Orange Coast College, Pirates Athletic Director Fred

Hokanson announced.

After one year of coaching the offensive line, Smith, a six-time

All-Pro, decided to apply for OCC’s new position, which includes a

teaching opportunity.

Within the past two years, Smith has spurned coaching offers from

Division I universities, including UNLV.

“There’s a few reasons why I applied for the job,” Smith said. “No. 1

is that my family is a major priority with me. Also, the community

college level gives me an opportunity to stay in Southern California

which I love. It’s just advantageous for all my priorities. I’ll have a

chance to see my kids play their sports. And just the chance to teach is

something I really enjoy.”

Smith, who coached for six years at USC, will continue to work with

the offensive line along with Kurt Clemens. Smith said he has developed

rapport with head coach Mike Taylor and the two are on the same page in

meeting goals.

“Obviously, we want to play championship-caliber football,” said

Smith, who was a member of the Los Angeles Rams’ 1979 Super Bowl team.

“We want to win with the expectations. We can’t sneak up on anybody now.

There’s one thing winning in the underdog role and there’s another when

they’re expecting it. I also want to help our kids advance to the next

level and finish their education.”

Smith lives in Laguna Niguel with his wife, Debbie, and their three

children, Jessica , Jenna and Cole. He also works as a real estate agent,

which was his main job when he was out of coaching for a year in 1998.

Prior to his one-year hiatus from coaching, Smith worked as an offensive

line coach at Saddleback College.

Smith’s coaching position is the second of three high-profile hirings

within the OCC athletic department. In May, OCC hired track and field

coach John Knox. The final coaching vacancy to be filled is the head

men’s basketball coach, for which interviews are scheduled to conclude

July 17.