To make Bryce Young the starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, a significant financial investment was made. If he lives up to those high standards and establishes himself at quarterback, the organization’s route to success becomes immensely simpler. This will only increase David Tepper’s desire to hire an offensive-minded coach who can help Young and the offense as a whole.
Frank Smith, the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins, seems like a solid choice for that, based on his resume. He can’t be linked to a certain coaching tree because, like Ben Johnson, he has worked for a number of coaches. He transitioned to the NFL as Aaron Kramer’s assistant offensive line coach on Sean Payton’s staff after holding a couple menial college positions. He joined offensive coordinator Adam Gase’s staff in 2015 as a tight ends coach for John Fox. In 2017, Smith was given his walking papers by Jon Gruden and the Raiders, where he still holds the same role.
Before joining Mike McDaniel’s staff as the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator, he worked as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator for the Chargers for one season.
His professional journey parallels that of the coach he works for. Following a period of instability primarily as a wide receivers coach, Mike McDaniel worked for the 49ers under Mike Shanahan for several seasons as the run game coordinator before serving as the offensive coordinator for one season. Smith’s career path has been similar: he started as a position coach, moved up to run game coordinator, offensive coordinator, and now perhaps head coach.
The Dolphins offense is a wonderful one for the Panthers to try to imitate, albeit it’s difficult to say how much of it is the invention of head coach Mike McDaniel and how much is Smith’s. Bryce Young and Tua Tagovailoa are comparable quarterback prospects. Both are on the smaller side, to differing degrees, and neither possesses superior physical tools. However, both were praised for their precision, judgment, and playmaking skills. Tagovailoa’s first two seasons were lackluster. With Smith serving as the offensive coordinator, the current Miami coaching staff has turned quarterback Tua Tagovailoa into one of the most effective players in the league when he is healthy.
He just finished second in the league in yards per pass attempt and first in overall passing yards.
In his two seasons working for Mike McDaniel, Smith seemed to have picked up a lot of the McDaniel/Shanahan philosophy. He is extremely process-oriented and constantly makes references to coaching players on the “whys” and “hows.” For a club that is behind the eight ball in terms of talent, getting that messaging right is essential.
At least temporarily, the Panthers require a head coach that can get the most out of subpar players. With a quarterback like the one the Panthers are attempting to develop around him, Frank Smith has demonstrated his ability to put together an explosive attack. He manages an offensive plan that is innovative and tailored to the skill sets of the players on the team. He is a fantastic fit for the Panthers head coach because of his experience as a coordinator, and ideally he feels the same way.