LOCAL Houston | The City Guide January 2017 | Page 42

... is for GM ( Rick Smith ) by Brian Tagtmeier | Photography by Sofía van der Dys
Not all paths are straight , especially when the path leads to the top . For RICK SMITH , the General Manager of the Houston Texans , his path , while
twisting , was a true meteoric rise from the youngest assistant coach in the Big 10 in 1992 to the youngest GM in the NFL ® in 2006 . So how does a high schooler leave West Virginia and become a GM in a span of less than twenty years ? With Smith , it was hard work , dedication and a strong sense of faith .
As a strong safety for the Purdue Boilermakers and four-year letterman , Smith went straight from the field to the coaching staff . JIM COLLETTO , Purdue ’ s head coach , made Smith the youngest assistant coach in the Big 10 . Smith described his passion for working with the players , wanting to make an impact in their lives , on and off the field . He loved the ability to work one on one . Teaching . Helping the players see how they fit during any particular play and the entire game plan .
Smith ’ s plan was to continue coaching at the college level . At the end of 1996 , PAT SULLIVAN at TCU called him and offered him a job to come to Fort Worth . Here ’ s where the path gets a little twisted . Shortly after taking the TCU job , the Denver Broncos called . Smith said no . He ’ d made a promise . The day the moving vans headed to Texas , the phone rang in an otherwise empty apartment . Denver was calling again , and you don ’ t tell the NFL no twice .

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... is for GM ( Rick Smith ) by Brian Tagtmeier | Photography by Sofía van der Dys

Denver provided Smith a perfect opportunity . MIKE SHANAHAN had a very coach-driven system , and Smith was immediately involved in more than just being the secondary coach . He had input on drafting , free agents , player development , salary cap discussions . When he expressed an interest in being more involved in the front office , Shanahan encouraged him . Along with the encouragement , Denver was winning . Back-to-back Super Bowls in 1997 – 1998 . In 2000 , when JACK ELWAY , John ’ s dad , retired as the Director of Scouting , Smith took another step on his path , becoming the Director of Pro Personnel .
In 2006 , BOB MCNAIR hired Smith to replace CHARLEY CASSERLY as the General Manager . At 36 , Smith was the youngest GM in the NFL , and his path had more than prepared him . The big picture . How to make all the parts work together as smoothly as possible . Smith ’ s path led him exactly where he wanted to be . The GM has a hand in every aspect of the organization , from salary cap , contracts , drafting , facilities , accommodations , buses , marketing . Everything that makes the Texans more successful .
The success over the past 10 years is directly related to his efforts , though he is quick to give credit to those that support him . In football , success is measured in winning . Under Smith ’ s tenure , the Texans have been to the playoffs three times since 2011 and are poised to make the postseason again . A deep playoff run this year could make Houston the first team to play in a Super Bowl and be the host team .
For Rick Smith , raising the Lombardi Trophy at NRG Stadium is the goal . Based on the path he ’ s taken , I wouldn ’ t bet against it this February .
42 LOCAL | january 17