Last year, Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith was named a dark horse candidate for NFL teams looking for a new head coach. In my opinion, it seemed a bit early, considering he just got to Miami, and head coach Mike McDaniel officially called the plays. But one thing was for certain, sooner or later, teams would start poaching McDaniel’s coaching staff — especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Now, after a record-setting season, Smith has officially received his first head coaching interview, meeting with the Carolina Panthers for their vacant head coaching job, ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting.
Smith, 42, became the fifth candidate to complete a virtual interview with the team, according to the Panther’s official website, joining interim HC Chris Tabor, Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken, Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, and Panthers DC Ejiro Evero.
In 2004, Smith began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Miami (Ohio) before moving on to Butler in 2006, where he became the team’s offensive line coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator. Next, Smith would head to the NFL, where he became an assistant offensive line coach for the New Orleans Saints (2010-2014) before stopping with the Chicago Bears (2015-2017) and Oakland Raiders(2018-2020) as Tight Ends coach.
