Coach Tony Smith: W.I.N, Legacy and Love, Greatness is an Ideal

In this episode of The Coachers Podcast, Keanu Yamamoto interviews Coach Tony Smith, head football coach at St. Paul High School. Coach Smith shares his journey into coaching, his philosophy on character development, and the importance of building a strong team culture. He discusses the challenges of coaching, handling setbacks, and the significance of leadership in sports. The conversation highlights the values of teamwork, humility, and the pursuit of greatness in both coaching and life.

Coach Smith is a proud alumnus of the school, where he starred as a quarterback in the early 1980s, Smith returned to his roots in 2006 as an assistant coach and PE teacher after a successful nine-year stint as head coach at Silverton High School (1997–2005). Taking the reins at St. Paul in 2008, he quickly built a powerhouse program, leading the Buckaroos to back-to-back Class 1A state championships in 2009 and 2010, and a runner-up finish in 2012. Under Smith’s leadership, St. Paul has become a perennial contender despite one of the state’s smallest enrollments, clinching the 2024 OSAA Class 2A state title with a thrilling victory over Oakland—marking the program’s first championship in its debut 2A season. Known for his run-heavy philosophy, emphasis on fundamentals, and family-oriented approach, Coach Smith continues to mentor student-athletes on and off the field. This past Friday, Coach Smith secured his 200th win! I know Coach Smith as a family friend, hazelnut farmer, and a loving grandpa, so it was cool to sit down, talk some ball, and learn from a man of humility. Coach, once again thank you for your time and wisdom! 

Takeaways

-              Coaching is about developing character in young athletes.

-              The journey into coaching often starts unexpectedly.

-              Building a strong team culture is essential for success.

-              Handling setbacks requires humility and focus on execution.

-              Every play in a game is crucial and should be treated as such.

-              Communication and positivity are key in coaching.

-              Leadership roles can emerge organically within a team.

-              It's important to talk about goals and aspirations, like winning            championships (occasionally).

-              Greatness is an ideal that coaches and players should strive for.

-              The relationships built through coaching are invaluable 

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Coach Tony Smith
• 2:38 The Journey to Coaching
• 8:00 The Impact of Coaching on Lives
• 13:25 Community and Coaching at St. Paul
• 17:42 Coaching Philosophy and Evolution
• 23:17 Advice for Younger Self
• 28:24 Balancing Roles: Coaching, Administration, and Leadership
• 30:52 Defining Success: Moments that Matter in Coaching
• 33:33 Hiring for Success: Qualities in Coaches and Educators
• 35:56 The Meaning of Team: Unselfishness and Family Dynamics
• 40:20 Identity in Practice
• 42:49 Talk about how you want to be remembered
• 48:55 Practice Structure: Preparing for Success in Nine-Man Football
• 54:19 Scripting a Mock Game for Thursday Practice
• 58:42 Leadership Development in Teams
• 1:02:10 Building Team Culture and Standards
• 1:06:45 Handling Setbacks and Communication to the Team