Inside the Headset Presented by CoachComm
Ryan Smith, Cornerbacks – Arizona Cardinals
September 28, 2023
On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, Ryan Smith, the corners coach for the Arizona Cardinals, shares the importance of coaching where your feet are, his experience coaching at many levels throughout his career, and his AFCA 35 Under 35 experience. Coach Smith, a member of the 2022 AFCA 35 Under 35 class, and the Cardinals recently knocked off the Dallas Cowboys in week 3 of the season.
Follow Coach Smith and the Arizona Cardinals on social media here:
Show Notes:
1:42 Introduction
2:21 When did you know that you wanted to be a football coach?
5:58 How did you get that first job at UTSA?
11:08 Opportunity to transition to become a GA at Penn State
13:43 Why do you think Penn State called you for the GA position?
16:41 Learning curves upon arriving at Penn State
19:31 Development as a young coach at Penn State
21:58 Navigating the coaching profession with a significant other
23:55 Transition to first full-time job at Elon
25:25 Which of your first few stops allowed you to grow the most as a young coach?
30:58 Transition and experience at James Madison
33:26 Why were you one of the ones brought to JMU? Why transition to coaching the safeties?
37:19 Importance of continuity within a football program?
40:14 Experience with moving jobs with your wife
41:20 Transition to the job at Virginia Tech
43:40 Internal dialogue working on a big stage at Virginia Tech
44:54 What is your approach to coaching an important position like corner?
47:56 Experience serving as an Interim DC for a game during the 2020 season
53:57 Your experience navigating a job search after losing a job
55:23 Transition to the job at Northwestern
56:37 How did the Cardinals job open to you?
59:26 Eye-opening aspects of being a coach in the NFL
1:01:13 AFCA 35 Under 35 Experience
1:04:46 Conclusion
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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Ryan Smith, Cornerbacks – Arizona Cardinals
On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, Ryan Smith, the corners coach for the Arizona Cardinals, shares the importance of coaching where your feet are, his experience coaching at many levels throughout his career, and his AFCA 35 Under 35 experience. Coach Smith, a member of the 2022 AFCA 35 Under 35 class, and the Cardinals recently knocked off the Dallas Cowboys in week 3 of the season.
Follow Coach Smith and the Arizona Cardinals on social media here:
Show Notes:
1:42 Introduction
2:21 When did you know that you wanted to be a football coach?
5:58 How did you get that first job at UTSA?
11:08 Opportunity to transition to become a GA at Penn State
13:43 Why do you think Penn State called you for the GA position?
16:41 Learning curves upon arriving at Penn State
19:31 Development as a young coach at Penn State
21:58 Navigating the coaching profession with a significant other
23:55 Transition to first full-time job at Elon
25:25 Which of your first few stops allowed you to grow the most as a young coach?
30:58 Transition and experience at James Madison
33:26 Why were you one of the ones brought to JMU? Why transition to coaching the safeties?
37:19 Importance of continuity within a football program?
40:14 Experience with moving jobs with your wife
41:20 Transition to the job at Virginia Tech
43:40 Internal dialogue working on a big stage at Virginia Tech
44:54 What is your approach to coaching an important position like corner?
47:56 Experience serving as an Interim DC for a game during the 2020 season
53:57 Your experience navigating a job search after losing a job
55:23 Transition to the job at Northwestern
56:37 How did the Cardinals job open to you?
59:26 Eye-opening aspects of being a coach in the NFL
1:01:13 AFCA 35 Under 35 Experience
1:04:46 Conclusion
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
