Richard Smith (American football coach)

Richard Smith

Smith with the Atlanta Falcons in 2015
Chicago Bears
Position:	Linebackers coach
Personal information
Born:	(1955-10-17) October 17, 1955 (age 69) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Career information
College:	Rio Hondo (1975–1976) Fresno State (1977)
Career history
As a coach:
Rio Hondo (1979–1980) Offensive line coach Cal State Fullerton (1981–1983) Defensive line coach California (1984–1986) Linebackers coach & special teams coach Arizona State (1987) Linebackers coach & special teams coach Houston Oilers (1988–1992) Special teams coach & tight ends, linebackers & offensive line ass't Denver Broncos (1993–1994) Special teams coach & ass't linebackers coach Denver Broncos (1995–1996) Special teams coach San Francisco 49ers (1997–2002) Linebackers coach Detroit Lions (2003–2004) Linebackers coach Miami Dolphins (2005) Defensive coordinator Houston Texans (2006–2008) Defensive coordinator Carolina Panthers (2009–2010) Linebackers coach Denver Broncos (2011–2014) Linebackers coach Atlanta Falcons (2015–2016) Defensive coordinator Los Angeles Chargers (2017–2020) Linebackers coach Las Vegas Raiders (2021) Linebackers coach Indianapolis Colts (2022–2024) Linebackers coach Chicago Bears (2025–present) Linebackers coach
Coaching profile  at Pro Football Reference Richard Smith (born October 17, 1955) is an American football coach who is the linebackers coach for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). [1] He has been defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, [2] as well as the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins, and a linebacker coach for the Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Indianapolis Colts. [3] Coaching career Denver Broncos Smith was hired by the Denver Broncos on January 25, 2011. [4] Atlanta Falcons When the Atlanta Falcons hired Smith on January 26, 2015, the Falcons were the worst-ranked defense in passing yards in 2014 prior to his arrival. [5] He was fired by the Falcons after their defensive collapse in Super Bowl LI, with defensive leadership being taken over by head coach Dan Quinn midway through the season. [6] [7] [8] Los Angeles Chargers Smith was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers on February 13, 2017, as a linebackers coach. [9] [10] Las Vegas Raiders Smith was hired by the Las Vegas Raiders on January 12, 2021, as a linebackers coach. [11] Chicago Bears On February 6, 2025, the Chicago Bears hired Smith as their linebackers coach. [12] References "Chargers Hire Former Falcons DC Richard Smith As LBs Coach". nfltraderumors.co. February 13, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017. "Sources: Smith, Morris to coach Falcons' D". January 26, 2015. "Dolphins Tab Richard Smith Defensive Coordinator". KTVU. March 1, 2005. Retrieved March 14, 2011. "Milus, Smith Join Staff" . Retrieved February 13, 2017. "Quick hits on new Falcons coaches Richard Smith, Raheem Morris". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 13, 2017. "Chargers hire Richard Smith, wrap up Anthony Lynn's first staff". February 13, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017. Chadiha, Jeffri. "Falcons' historic collapse leads to Patriots' fifth Super Bowl win". NFL. Retrieved August 6, 2017. "Super Bowl LI – New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons –February 5th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved August 6, 2017. Ledbetter, D. Orlando. "Former defensive coordinator Smith lands with Chargers". ajc. Retrieved February 13, 2017. "Chargers hire Richard Smith as LBs coach, announce full coaching staff". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 13, 2017. Williamson, Bill (January 12, 2021). "Chargers' coaches Ron Milus and Richard Smith set to join Gus Bradley at Raiders". Silver & Black Pride. "Bears to hire Richard Smith as linebackers coach". nbcsports.com. Retrieved February 9, 2025. External links :Indianapolis Colts profile This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.