After 51 years as the head coach at Hampton High School (Virginia) and 506 wins, Mike Smith is stepping down as the head coach of the Crabbers. This past season, Hampton finished 8-2, losing in the second round of the 4A playoffs.
Smith, who won his 500th game this season, finishes his career with an overall record of 506-100-2. He retires No. 3 on America’s all-time coaching wins list.
Related: All-time Coaching Wins coming into the 2021 season
During his career, Smith coached ten NFL players, including Pro Football Hall of Fame center Dwight Stephenson.
- Robert Banks, DE – Cleveland Browns, Houston Oilers
- Elton Brown, G – Arizona Cardinals
- Ronald Curry, WR – Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams
- Donny Green, LB – Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Football Team
- Marques Hagans, WR – Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, Washington Football Team
- Frank Harris, RB – Chicago Bears
- Michael Husted, K – Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Washington Football Team
- Dazz Newsome, WR – Chicago Bears
- Dwight Stephenson, C, – Miami Dolphins
- Tyrod Taylor, QB – Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers
Hampton won twelve Virginia high school football championships during Smith’s time as the school’s head coach.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin celebrated Smith’s retirement on Twitter.
Congratulations Coach Mike Smith from Hampton H.S. on your retirement. You have been an inspiration to us all. Thanks, Coach for being a beacon of excellence for over half a century. Thanks for always having time for me. Enjoy your retirement. Much love and respect, Coach.
— Mike Tomlin (@CoachTomlin) December 23, 2021
