Joey Smith Reunites with Cedar Rapids
October 19, 2018 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Cedar Rapids River Kings News Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Cedar Rapids River Kings and Head Coach Mark Stoute are bringing back another familiar name to Eastern Iowa. Joey Smith will return to the Cedar Rapids after a three-year absence to serve as the team's defensive coordinator for the 2019 IFL season.
In 2015 as defensive coordinator, Smith's defense gave up an average of just 50.3 rushing yards per game and limited opponents to 129.1 yards per game through the air. The defensive squads' effort went a long way in powering the team to a 9-5 regular season record and a United Conference Championship appearance.
"Coach Smith is a winner and has produced great defenses everywhere he has coached," said River Kings Head Coach Mark Stoute. "He is also a great communicator and mentor of young men."
After his time in Cedar Rapids, Smith spent time with the Jacksonville Sharks of the NAL. The Sharks led the NAL in scoring defense (24.9 pts/game) and had the highest turnover margin in the NAL (+26, 2.17/game) in Smith's year as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.
Smith spent 14 years at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania before coming to Cedar Rapids in 2015. Prior to that, he had a short stint in the NFL. Smith returned kickoffs and punts and saw action at wide receiver and defensive back for the Giants from 1991-94. He was a defensive back and kick returner at the University of Louisville and played on the Cardinals' 1990 Fiesta Bowl championship team. Smith graduated from Louisville in 1991.
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Indoor Football League Stories from October 19, 2018
- Joey Smith Reunites with Cedar Rapids - Cedar Rapids River Kings
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