Chase Smith introduced as RHS new football coach/AD

By John Underwood / john@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 2/28/18

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Robertsdale High School ushered in a new era of Golden Bear athletics, introducing new Head Football Coach/Athletic Director Chase Smith during a special ceremony held …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Get the gift of local news. All subscriptions 50% off for a limited time!

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

Chase Smith introduced as RHS new football coach/AD

Posted

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Robertsdale High School ushered in a new era of Golden Bear athletics, introducing new Head Football Coach/Athletic Director Chase Smith during a special ceremony held Wednesday, Feb. 28 in the school’s library.

“I’m excited to have coach Smith here to lead our program,” said RHS Principal Joe Roh. “When we announced this opening, we had an overwhelming number of applications, and I believe he has the experience and enthusiasm we need here at Robertsdale High School.”

A native of Birmingham, Smith played center for Shades Valley High School before going on to play college ball Jacksonville State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 2005 and a master’s degree in 2008 in physical education.

He has served as an assistant at Spain Park High School near Birmingham, Greenville High near Montgomery, and Spanish Fort High in Baldwin County before spending the last six years as an assistant under Coach Joey Jones at the University of South Alabama, including serving as director of football relations.

“That experience is what makes Coach Smith unique,” Roh said. “Not a lot of coaches come into the head coaching position at the high school level with administrative experience and he has that.”

Smith takes over Robertsdale program from Coach Brian Campbell, who was 11-49 from 2012 to 2017 for the Golden Bears.

Robertsdale has not had a winning season since Jay Koziol led the team to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2000 and 2001, taking the team to the third round of the AHSAA 5A State Playoffs in 2001 with a 10-3 accumulative mark (Koziol also led the team to its last playoff appearance, going 3-8 in 2004). The Golden Bears have only had five winning seasons since 1988.

During the ceremony, Smith addressed the team and those present, introducing his mother, wife and young daughter to the group.

“It’s important to me to have my family here with me,” he said. “You’re going to hear me talk a lot about family because that’s what it’s all about.

“We are in this together. We are going to work together. We are going to sweat a lot together, and we are going to support each other. If we can do everything we need to do as a unit, together, day in and day out, then we are going to have success.”

Since being confirmed as head coach/athletic director on Thursday, Feb. 22, Smith said he has spent a lot of time in Robertsdale and the surrounding communities.

“We have a great school and a great community here,” he said. “You have so many people that care about you and want you to succeed, but you’re going to have to work to succeed, not just on the field, but in the classroom and out in the community. They all believe in you. I believe in you. Together we can make this program a success.”

Smith said he has built his program on four keys to success: Accountability; Passion; Work Ethic; Love and Respect.

“Those four things are what I expect out of myself and of you,” he said. “I am excited about what we can accomplish together.”