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Rampage Retain Top Assistant

August 16, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


Grand Rapids, MI - The ArenaBowl XV Champion Grand Rapids Rampage on Friday announced that Robert Smith has signed a two-year contract extension to remain assistant head coach and director of player personnel for the Arena Football League team through the 2004 season.

Smith has played an integral role in the development of the offensive and defensive lines since joining the Rampage in December of 2000. Under his leadership in 2002, the offensive line allowed only five sacks (T-2nd in AFL), while the defensive line accumulated 16 (4th in AFL) of their own. In addition to his line coaching duties, Smith also serves as the team's director of player personnel, working directly with Rampage head coach Michael Trigg in free-agent recruiting, evaluating new talent, and coordinating off-season combines.

"I am very happy about re-signing Robert for two years," Trigg said. "With this extension Robert will now be in charge of the defense, while maintaining all of his previous duties. We are pleased to have him back, and think he was a valuable part of the success we had in 2001. Hopefully, he will help us retool this off-season and get us back to championship form."

Prior to joining the Rampage organization, Smith, 39, served as the defensive line coach at Mississippi Valley State University during the 1999 and 2000 seasons. He began his coaching career by spending six seasons in an identical capacity at Grambling State University (1993-98), where he worked under legendary coach Eddie Robinson.

Smith's playing resume boasts experience in the National Football League, the United State Football League and the Arena Football League. He was selected by the Arizona Wranglers as their first pick in the 1983 USFL draft, prior to commencing his NFL career.

The 6'7", 270-pound native of Bogalusa, Louisiana, played 16 games for the Minnesota Vikings under Bud Grant in 1985, before spending time with Tom Landry's Dallas Cowboys and Richard Williamson's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He retired from the NFL in 1989.

Smith enjoyed a short but successful career in the AFL as well, winning ArenaBowls in each of his two seasons with the Tampa Bay Storm (1991) and Detroit Drive (1992).

He played collegiately at Grambling from 1980-1983, earning All-American honors at defensive end as a senior. Smith was a three-time member of the All-SWAC Team, and served as a team captain in both 1982 and 1983. In four years, he amassed 332 tackles (188 solo) and 48.5 sacks.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from August 16, 2002


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