Tennessee’s football program and head coach Derek Dooley called on an old friend to complete their coaching staff.Former Vol standout Chuck Smith was hired Friday to coach UT’s defensive line.
That’s not the only tie; Smith and Dooley played together at Clarke Central High School in the 1980s.
“I want to thank Mike Hamilton and President Jan Simek for running UT like a first-class organization and bringing Derek in,” said Smith in a release from the UT men’s athletic department. “I know exactly the kind of character Derek has and exactly the kind of football coach he is.”
Smith, 40, spent last season with the New York Jets as a pass rush specialist. Jets head coach Rex Ryan first hired Smith for the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 when Ryan was defensive coordinator.
Before entering the NFL, Smith built his coaching reputation as a defensive line specialist, working with defensive linemen for his company, Defensive Line Inc. Smith has worked with approximately 60 NFL players during the last five seasons.
Among his star pupils are three former Vols: Albert Haynesworth, who this past season signed a $100 million contract with the Washington Redskins; Robert Ayers, a 2009 NFL first-round pick of the Denver Broncos; and Shaun Ellis, a Pro-Bowler with the New York Jets.
Smith has also worked with Baltimore Raven’s linebacker Ray Lewis, Oakland Raider’s defensive tackle Richard Seymour and New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora.
In the 2009 NFL Draft, seven linemen selected in the first five rounds trained under Smith, including Ayers.
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