Frank Smith joined the Miami Dolphins as offensive coordinator in 2022.
The 2022 season marks the 19th year of coaching for Smith, including 13 at the NFL level and six in the collegiate ranks.
Smith spent the 2021 season as run game coordinator/offensive line for the Los Angeles Chargers. He helped the Chargers rank fourth in total offense (390.2) and fifth in scoring offense (27.9). It was the most points the Chargers had scored in a season since 2009. The offensive line helped protect quarterback Justin Herbert, who produced the best season by a passer in Chargers history, throwing for a franchise-record 5,014 yards and 38 touchdowns. Running back Austin Ekeler rushed for 12 touchdowns, the most by a Chargers rusher since Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson had 12 in 2009. Smith helped develop center Corey Linsley and rookie tackle Rashawn Slater as both earned second-team All-Pro honors and were selected to the first Pro Bowl of their careers.
From 2018-20, Smith served as tight ends coach for the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders. He worked closely with tight end Darren Waller, who caught 203 passes for 2,416 yards (11.9 avg.) and 12 touchdowns. His 2,416 receiving yards were third-most by an NFL tight end in that span despite being limited to just four games in 2018, his first season with the Raiders. Prior to 2019, Waller had never recorded more than 100 receiving yards in a season until Smith helped him tally back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. A tight end led the team in receiving in all three seasons Smith spent with the Raiders.
In 2020, Waller led all NFL tight ends with 107 receptions. His 1,196 receiving yards were the second-most by a tight end in the NFL that season and second-most by a tight end in Raiders history. He also caught nine touchdown passes. It earned Waller the first Pro Bowl selection of his career.
Waller had his breakout season in 2019, catching 90 passes for 1,145 yards (12.7 avg.) and three touchdowns. Entering the 2019 campaign, Waller's previous career highs were 10 receptions and 85 yards in 2016. His 90 receptions and 1,145 yards were both second among NFL tight ends that season. Rookie tight end Fabian Moreau led all rookie tight ends with five receiving touchdowns. Raiders tight ends totaled 718 yards-after-catch, which led all NFL tight end groups.
In Smith's first season with the Raiders in 2018, tight end Jared Cook led the team with 68 receptions for 896 yards (13.2 avg.) and six touchdowns. His 68 receptions and 896 receiving yards are the most in his 13-year career and earned him his first Pro Bowl selection.
Smith was the Chicago Bears' tight ends coach from 2015-17. In 2017, tight end Zach Miller played only eight games before suffering a career-ending injury, totaling 20 receptions for 236 yards (11.8 avg.) and two touchdowns. In addition to Miller, tight ends Dion Sims (15), Dan Brown (13) and Adam Shaheen (12) all had double-digit receptions.
Miller had the best season of his career in 2016, totaling career highs in receptions (47) and receiving yards (486). Brown was a late-season waiver claim and made an immediate impact, catching a career-high 16 passes for 124 yards (7.8 avg.) and a touchdown in just six games.
In Smith's first season with the Bears in 2015, he helped tight end Martellus Bennett catch 53 passes for 439 yards (8.3 avg.) and three touchdowns in just 11 games. His 53 receptions were second on the team that season. Miller had a career-high five receiving touchdowns after catching 34 passes for 439 yards (12.9 avg.).
Smith's first NFL coaching job came with the New Orleans Saints from 2010-14. He began as a coaching assistant from 2010-11 and was promoted to offensive assistant/offensive line from 2012-14. During those five seasons, the Saints won at least 10 games on three occasions and made the playoffs three times. During his three seasons as offensive assistant/offensive line (2012-14), the Saints were second in the NFL in total offense (407.2) and fifth in scoring offense (26.6).
In 2014, the Saints spread out their offensive attack to multiple weapons. Wide receivers Kenny Stills (931) and Marques Colston (902) both topped 900 receiving yards, tight end Jimmy Graham led the team with 85 receptions and 10 touchdown receptions and running back Mark Ingram II had 964 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Drew Brees passed for 4,952 yards and joined Ingram, Graham and guard Jahri Evans in the Pro Bowl.
The Saints won 11 games and their first-ever road playoff win in 2014, posting an 8-0 mark at home. Brees passed for 5,162 yards and 39 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl nod. Graham (first team) and Evans (second team) earned All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl selections and Graham led the NFL with 16 receiving touchdowns that season.
In Smith's first season as offensive assistant/offensive line in 2012, he helped two offensive linemen earn Pro Bowl honors – Evans and tackle Jermon Bushrod. Evans also earned first-team All-Pro recognition. The Saints had two 1,000-yard receivers and four players catch at least 60 passes.
The Saints won at least 10 games and advanced to the playoffs in each of Smith's first two seasons with the club (2010-11) as a coaching assistant.
Smith spent four seasons (2006-09) at Butler, beginnining his tenure as offenisve line coach (2006) before he was promoted to offensive coordinator/offensive line in 2007. He helped the Bulldogs improve from a 4-7 mark in 2007 to an 11-1 record in 2009.
Smith's first coaching position came as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Miami (Ohio), from 2004-05.
Smith was a captain and three-year starter on the offensve line at Miami (Ohio) from 2001-03. He helped protect quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who recently concluded an 18-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A native of Milwaukee, Smith graduated from Miami (Ohio) with a degree in organized leadership
