Deep Thoughts
August 09, 2007 07:37 AM | General
August 9, 2007
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Having been on the other side of the field as South Florida’s offensive coordinator the past two seasons, Rod Smith thought he knew all about West Virginia quarterback Patrick White.
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| Quarterbacks coach Rod Smith is impressed with Patrick White's preparation.
Dale Sparks/All-Pro Photography |
Of course he was aware of White’s blinding speed. He also knew the time USF defensive coaches put in game planning against White’s great playmaking abilities. But what he didn’t realize until he got to WVU was just how dedicated White is to the game. Football is important to Patrick White and those Sugar Bowl and Gator Bowl trophies sitting inside the Donald J. Brohard Hall of Traditions didn’t just get there by accident.
“It’s very obvious he’s a very gifted athlete. What I didn’t know until I got here is what type of competitor he is and what type of sponge he is,” Smith said. “He wants to learn and absorb everything you give him.”
West Virginia’s new quarterbacks coach has been around high-profile athletes before and he understands that sometimes the rubber doesn’t always hit the road with them.
“Sometimes when you’ve got a guy with that high of a status they don’t take coaching – particularly a new coach – the best,” Smith admitted. “(Pat) wants to learn and his work ethic is so tremendous.”
Smith has the luxury of working with three superb quarterbacks. In fact, White, Jarrett Brown and Adam Bednarik have all won games as a starter.
“I don’t know if any other school in the country has the depth at quarterback that we have. We have three proven starters that have started games and won,” Smith explained. “We’ve got a pretty good situation. Our guys are competitors. They’re going to support each other and right now they’re doing a great job.”
Smith believes Jarrett Brown has the make up to one day be a headline quarterback just like White is right now. Rivals.com recently rated Brown as the nation’s No. 2 backup quarterback.
“He’s having a good camp so far. When I got here I thought he looked tremendous and he looks even better now physically,” Smith said. “He throws the ball with a real live arm and he’s making good decisions; I think he’s starting to come into the offense and understand what we want from him.”
Bednarik has had his share of misfortune in the past and Smith hopes the senior can return to the field 100 percent healthy in 2007.
“Adam is the essence of the true team player. That’s what he is. He just wants to win – he wants to play – but he wants to win and do what’s best for the team. He’s taking quarterback reps but he’s also doing other things. Anything we ask him he’ll do. It will be interesting to see how that plays out and where he fits in.”
Youngsters Charlie Russell of Morgantown and Bradley Starks from Unionville, Va., are also some getting reps and progressing.
“They’re in a learning curve right now. They’re trying to take everything in,” Smith said. “I think Coach Rodriguez related to the fact that they were speaking Chinese sometimes. They’re sitting back taking mental reps. When they get their opportunity to go in they put forth what they’ve been learning and they’ve done well so far.”
Because West Virginia has such versatility at the quarterback position there is an urge to try and come up with more creative things for them to do. Smith says sometimes you can get too cute.
“We’ve got to do what we do best. To score as many points as we have in the past … obviously we haven’t scored any points this year … but when things have been going well the last year, two years, six years or whatever it’s been, you’ve got to make sure you don’t get away from your roots,” he said.
Smith has the unique perspective of playing quarterback in Rodriguez’s spread offense at Glenville State and has watched the offense evolve over the last 10-15 years.
“A guy like myself couldn’t survive anymore because when you run a 5.1 forty that makes it tough. The running quarterback and the athletic quarterback have made it more of a challenge,” Smith said. “It’s changed in that sense because we ask the quarterback to do more stuff with his legs. Whenever I played it was more of a passing, throw-it-around-the-lot type scheme and you relied more on audibles and things of that nature back then.”
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| West Virginia native Rod Smith is happy to be back in the Mountain State.
Dale Sparks/All-Pro Photography |
The terminology has also changed through the years.
“They did some different things since I was in it six years ago with (Tommy) Bowden. Some of it is still similar and some of it has changed so I have had a learning process as well,” he said. “It’s been smooth but I’m still learning.”
Smith’s coaching career has taken him from the high school ranks in Franklin, W.Va., to the small college ranks to Clemson and South Florida and now to West Virginia.
“I was fortunate to be an assistant under Coach Rodriguez and Coach Bowden at Clemson and I’ve been around some good coaches,” Smith said. “I’ve got a chance to learn the ropes so to speak.”
Returning to West Virginia was an opportunity he just couldn’t pass up last winter when spots came open on the Mountaineer staff.
“I’m the luckiest man alive I promise you. I’m home and this is where I’ve always wanted to be,” Smith said. “I’m a Mountaineer – I’m a native of the state so this is a dream come true.”
