If you have watched the Miami Dolphins the last two seasons, you have noticed how explosive the offense is and how quickly they can score. Last week, in a Week 1 win, the Dolphins put up 36 points against the Chargers. Including the postseason, it was the seventh time in 18 games the team scored at least 30 points under offensive coordinator Frank Smith. Let’s take a look at Smith’s career.
Who Is Miami Dolphins’ OC Frank Smith?
Frank Smith is the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator. He is entering his 20th season as a coach, with 14 in the NFL and six in college. Smith was an offensive lineman at Miami (Ohio) from 2001 to 2003. He was a three-year starter and played with former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
After Smith’s playing days, he started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater for two seasons. Smith spent four seasons as an offensive assistant coach at Butler before moving to the NFL.
Smith’s first NFL job was with the New Orleans Saints in 2010, and he moved to offense as a live coach in 2012. Two Saints linemen were named to the Pro Bowl in Smith’s first season as offensive line coach.
Smith moved on to Chicago to become the Bears tight ends coach for three seasons. He had multiple players set career highs for tackles during his time with the Bears.
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A tight end led the Raiders in receiving when Smith was coaching the position from 2018 to 2020. In 2018, he started leading the Raiders right end. Darren Waller became one of the league’s top tight ends in Smith’s last two seasons with the Raiders.
Smith’s last stop before the Dolphins was with the Chargers as an offensive line coach and run game coordinator in 2021. Two offensive linemen received second-team All-Pro honors in Smith’s only season with the team.
How Long Has Smith Been the Dolphins’ Offensive Coordinator?
Smith is entering his second season as Miami’s offensive coordinator. The Dolphins made great strides in his first season. In 2022, the team had a top-10 offense for the first time since 1995.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa led the league in passer rating, becoming the youngest quarterback since Dan Marino in 1984. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill set Dolphins’ records with the most receptions and receiving yards in a season. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had the third most receiving yards in team history and improved from 9.8 yards per catch in 2021 to 18.1 yards per catch last season.
Hill and tackle Terron Armstead were named Pro Bowl starters; it was the first time since 1995 that the team had two offensive starters.
Who Was the OC Before Smith?
The Dolphins had co-offensive coordinators in 2021 under head coach Brian Flores. Eric Studesville and George Godsey shared the role for that season. They were offensive position coaches with the team when Chan Gailey resigned after 2020. Miami ranked 22nd in points scored and 25th in total yards under Studesville and Godsey.