Danny Smith, an energetic presence on and off the field, has directed the Redskins’ special teams since 2004, establishing Washington as one of the top returning and coverage units in the National Football League.
The 2009 season was his sixth with the Redskins and 15th overall in the NFL.
Smith’s kickoff return unit finished third in the NFC and sixth in the NFL in average starting field position (29.0 yard line) in 2008.
Also, Smith’s coverage unit finished sixth in the NFL as the average drive for Washington’s opponents started on the 25.7-yard line.
Kick returner Rock Cartwright finished the season fourth in the NFC in kickoff return yards (1,307) and sixth in kickoff return average (25.6) in 2008. Under Smith, Cartwright had three kickoff returns of 50 or more yards in 2008 (50, 58 and 87 yards) and also posted the second-longest kickoff return of his career, an 87-yard return at Cincinnati (12/14).
In addition, Santana Moss returned just his second punt attempt of the season for an 80-yard touchdown at Detroit (10/26) and was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week
In 2007, the Redskins’ kickoff return units ranked fourth in the NFL and second in the NFC in average starting field position (30.8 yard line). Cartwright, who set the franchise’s single-season kickoff return yardage record in 2006, impressed again with 1,339 yards on 52 kickoff returns for a 25.7-yard average.
Smith’s kickoff coverage unit allowed just 19.2 yards per return, third-best in the NFL. The punt coverage unit prospered as well, allowing 6.8 yards per return, sixth-best in the NFL.
Smith also helped develop kicker Shaun Suisham, who is the all-time leader in club history in field goal percentage (78.8 percent), connecting on 63-of-80 field goals (minimum 40 attempts).
The Redskins’ special teams were represented in the Pro Bowl following the 2007 season, with Ethan Albright earning a spot in the all-star game as the NFC’s long snapper.
In 2006, Smith’s special teams ranked among the best in the NFL. The unit finished fourth in the league in kickoff coverage and eighth in punt coverage.
Cartwright returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in Week 2 at Dallas and Antwaan Randle El returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown against Indianapolis. Rocky McIntosh and Vernon Fox blocked punts during the season, while Troy Vincent blocked a field goal that led to a dramatic, last-second win over Dallas at FedExField.
In 2005, Smith’s second year with the Redskins, the special teams finished second in the NFL in punt coverage and sixth in kickoff coverage.
Prior to the Redskins, Smith coached the Buffalo Bills’ special teams from 2001-03. In Smith’s last year in Buffalo, the Bills finished third in the NFL in kickoff coverage. His kicking specialists ranked in the top 10 in field goal percentage and gross and net punting average.
Smith was tight ends coach with the Detroit Lions from 1999-2000.
He had a four-year stint with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1995-98, serving two seasons as special teams coach and two coaching the defensive backs.
Before joining the NFL coaching ranks, Smith spent eight years at Georgia Tech (1987-94) where he coached several positions including running backs, wide receivers and defensive backs. He helped coach the Yellow Jackets team that split the NCAA National Championship with Colorado in 1990.
Smith began his college coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater Edinboro State. He also coached at The Citadel, William & Mary and Clemson.
Smith entered the coaching ranks at his high school alma mater Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh where he helped tutor future Miami Dolphins quarterback and Hall of Famer Dan Marino.
Smith graduated from Edinboro State. He and his wife, Elaine, have three children: Erin, Courtney and Jason.
