Saluting Coach Jeff Smith & his assistant coaches

COACH JEFF SMITH

Teacher, father confessor, friend . . . these are some of the hats worn by a good football coach. Jeff Smith wears them all very well. He has influenced thousands of East Lansing students of football, track and math. "I'm just happy to be here, and to be as lucky as I have been!" said Coach Smith during a '97 salute that drew hundreds of players from 26 years of his past ELHS football teams
.
Young Jeff Smith distinguished himself athletically, lettering in football, basketball, baseball and track at Kohler High in Wisconsin; winning All State honors in football. He was an end at the University of Michigan where he received his B.A. in 1963. He and his wife Charlene have two sons, Kyle and Eric, who both played Trojan football for their father.

Coach Smith's coaching career began at Hale High, and then Grass Lake. In 1968 he came to East Lansing as assistant football and track coach. He moved on to the head coaching post at St. Johns and earned his M.A. from Michigan State. In 1971 ELHS successfully recruited him as head football coach. During his career he has recieved the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a high school coach while amassing the winningest varisty football record in ELHS history. He is one of a handful of coaches in Michigan history to have won more than 290 games. In addition, as ELHS's track coach he has an impressive record, including a 1998 state championship. A believer in fundamentals, teamwork, discipline and dedication, Jeff Smith is one of the most respected coaches in Michigan, and East Lansing is lucky to have a man of his caliber.

"Jeff Smith's ability to motivate and inspire the loyalty of those who work with him is nothing less than remarkable," said Al Rufe, the visionary retired athletic director who hired him in 1971. Assistant Coach Jack Piotter has been coaching since 1969. Herb Gibbs and Vance Hamilton were assistant coaches for over 25 years. "Nobody outworks him," says Piotter. "There's so much more to Jeff Smith than football when working with these kids. It's the little things he does behind the scenes . . . like helping a kid get a scholarship or keeping another out of trouble . . . that makes him so special."

The Trojan football winning tradition is stronger than ever. "It's gotten to the point where the kids believe we're going to win, even when things go very badly for us." says Smith. Their proficiency in creating and sustaining a football dynasty is only the tip of the iceberg. The gridiron accomplishments of Coaches Jeff Smith, Jack Piotter and the rest of the football staff are surpassed only by their selfless giving to the athletes who have had the honor to learn and grow under their tutelage.

THE RECORD:

Smith coached varsity football and taught math at East Lansing from 1971 until his retirement in 2003. He compiled a 293-93-2 career record, ranking him ninth in Michigan history in total victories.

His teams won one state title, in 1991, and finished as the runner-up three other times.

He was inducted into the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame, is an original member of the Michigan Coaches Hall of Fame and a recipient of the prestigious Jim Crowley Award, and was honored in 2006 with the Duffy Daugherty Award.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Coach Jeff Smith
• East Lansing High School
• East Lansing Trojan Football
• high school football
• top coaches
• leaders
• educators
• athletics