Coach Profile: Smithville's Greg Smith 3/11

Greg Smith

By Dion Clisso PrepsKC Managing Editor
Posted: March 11, 2011 - 3:26 PM



For a man who has yet to turn 40 Greg Smith has already had a long career as a winning head coach at two Metro schools.

Smith has been a head coach for the last 14 years. The first six years were at Plattsburg and the last eight has been leading Smithville. In his time as a head coach he has amassed an impressive 84-66 record while advancing to the playoffs six times.

His philosophy over the years has been shaped by some of the best coaches in the Metro and he said he tries to stick to his core values when coaching his team.

“I’ve learned a lot from coaches like Greg Oder, Mike Redwine and Mark Thomas,” Smith said. “For my team I always try to stress discipline, citizenship, commitment, loyalty and integrity among other things.”

Those qualities have served Smith well off of the field. He is held in high regard by his peers in the Metro. For the last two seasons he served as president of the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association and currently is a member of the group’s board.

This past year Smith guided Smithville to the playoffs for the second time in the last three years. Even though Smith enjoys winning football games the best thing for him is the growth he sees in his players on and off the field.

“Seeing former players who have grown to be responsible men and leaders in the community is the high point of my job,” Smith said.