Omarr Smith

Omarr Ali Hasan Smith (born April 7, 1977) is a former American football defensive back who was most recently the head coach of the Baltimore Brigade of the Arena Football League (AFL). He played professionally for the San Jose SaberCats of the AFL, and played college football at San Jose State.[1]

Omarr Smith
Personal information
Born: (1977-04-07) April 7, 1977
Chicago, Illinois
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:186 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:Torrance (CA) Bishop Montgomery
College:San Jose State
Undrafted:1999
Career history
As player:
As coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career Arena statistics
Tackles:475
Pass breakups:88
Forced fumbles:8
Fumbles recovered:8
Interceptions:35
Head coaching record
Regular season:25–29 (.463)
Postseason:2–5 (.286)
Career:27–34 (.443)
Player stats at ArenaFan.com

In his career, Smith has played for the San Jose SaberCats twice, from 2000–2002 and 2004–2008. He also played one year (2003) for the Tampa Bay Storm.[2] He has also coached defensive backs at Whittier College. Prior to re-joining the SaberCats, Smith served as defensive coordinator with the rival Arizona Rattlers for three years (winning two championships). Smith has won seven total Arenabowl championships as a player (4) and assistant coach (3); this ties the legendary Tim Marcum, who won seven as a head coach, for the most in AFL history. Smith was the head coach of the Los Angeles KISS of the AFL in 2016 and currently coaches the Baltimore Brigade.

Early years

Smith attended Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, California.[3] While there, he lettered in football, basketball and track. He was a three-time all-league and two-time all-area grid choice.

College career

Smith played four years at San Jose State University and had 13 career interceptions, the second-most in school history. He joined the team as a walk-on in 1995 and was assigned to cover Keyshawn Johnson in his first collegiate start.[4] He led San Jose State with nine passes broken up in 1996 and 16 in 1997. He tied for second in the nation in 1997 with seven interceptions[4] and tied a school record with three interceptions against the University of Hawaii. Smith returned 22 punts for 246 yards and was the only player in Division I-A to rank in the top-30 in both interceptions and punt returns. He had an 84-yard touchdown return at UTEP in 1997 and an 88-yard punt return for a touchdown against Fresno State in 1998. Smith had 74 tackles as a sophomore, third-most on the team, and ended his career with 182 career tackles.

Professional career

2000

In 2000, Smith played in eight games at WR/DB as a rookie. He posted 16 tackles, five passes broken up and five receptions for 48 yards. All five receptions on the season came in two games. He made his AFL debut with two tackles against the Houston Thunderbears. Had his first career reception and totaled two for the game with two pass break-ups against the Los Angeles Avengers. He recorded 2.5 tackles (a tackle for a loss) and a season-high three pass break-ups against the New England Sea Wolves. Smith had three receptions for 32 yards at the Grand Rapids Rampage. He recorded a season-high five solo tackles on the road against the Avengers.

2001

In 2001, Smith was one of just four players to participate in all 14 games that season. He recorded a team-leading four interceptions and was fourth with 37 tackles earning team defensive MVP honors. He returned his first career interception 45-yards for his first career touchdown against the Arizona Rattlers. Smith missed a portion of the game after taking a knee to the helmet in Houston. He had his first catch of the season against the Oklahoma Wranglers. He had his second career interception and returned a blocked extra point attempt for the first two-point defensive point after try in league history at the New York Dragons. Smith made his first-career start at Defensive Specialist (DS) intercepting an Andy Kelly pass late in the game, leading to a game-tying field goal in a game that the San Jose SaberCats won in overtime against the Nashville Kats. He recorded career-highs of four catches for 86 yards and added his fourth career interception against the Florida Bobcats. Smith had the first two missed field goal returns of his career against the Thunderbears..

2001 playoffs

Smith played in both San Jose playoff games. He appeared in his first AFL playoff game replacing the injured Anthony Cobbs at DS against the Rattlers. He recorded 5.5 tackles and a pass break-up in Nashville.

2002

In 2002, Smith played in all 14 games for a second straight season. He earned ArenaBowl XVI game Ironman honors. He set single-season career-highs with 15 receptions for 234 yards finishing fifth on the team. He finished second on team with 49.5 tackles and eight passes broken up. Smith started at DS and recorded a career-high 8.5 tackles and matched his career-best with seven solo tackles at the Tampa Bay Storm. He had his first catch of the season against the Georgia Force. He was named the Ironman of the Game against the Los Angeles Avengers after recording two catches for 43 yards and a touchdown and five tackles along with a pass break up. He had his fifth career interception, and second returned for a touchdown on the road against the Orlando Predators. Smith recorded a career-long 37-yard reception on the road against the Buffalo Destroyers. He had the 20th reception of his career in Los Angeles. He was named Ironman of the Game after recording a 34-yard touchdown catch, his sixth career interception, and five tackles and two pass break ups against the Chicago Rush. Smith recorded a season-high three receptions against the Indiana Firebirds.

2002 playoffs

He caught three passes for 37 yards and had an interception for game Ironman against the Predators. Smith started ArenaBowl XVI and was named the game's Ironman after rushing twice for nine yards, catching four passes for 34 yards and totaling five tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery against the Rattlers.

2003

In 2003, Smith started all 16 games at DS for the Storm. He led the team with 88.5 tackles, eight interceptions and 18 pass broken up to earn second-team All-AFL honors. He had an interception in four straight games. Smith equaled his career-high with seven solo tackles and recorded an interception in his first game with the Storm against the Carolina Cobras. He had a career-high two fumble recoveries on the road against the Las Vegas Gladiators. He matched a career-high with seven solo tackles against the Detroit Fury. Smith recorded the ninth and 10th interceptions of his career with his first ever two-interception game in Indiana. He had an interception, two passes broken up and six tackles, all against the Force. He was named game MVP after two pass break-ups and an interception in Carolina. He had his third career interception return touchdown against the Colorado Crush. He intercepted his eighth pass of the season giving him an interception in four straight games on the road against the New York Dragons.

2004

Smith re-signed with the San Jose SaberCats on November 7, 2003.

In 2004, Smith, returning to San Jose, played in 15 games at DS earning first-team All-AFL honors, and became just the fourth player in team history with 100 solo tackles.. He led the team with 83 total tackles (71 solo). He tied for first in the AFL with a career-high nine interceptions. He was the team leader and tied for fourth in the AFL with 14 passes broken up and 23 passes defended. Smith was named the AFL's Defensive Player of the Week (Week One). He set career-highs with five assisted tackles and five pass break-ups on the road against the Fury. Smith was inactive with a hamstring injury, the only game he missed all season, on the road against the New York Dragons. He recorded the 100th solo tackle of his San Jose career against the Crush. He was named the Defensive Player of the Game after returning an interception 48-yards for a touchdown against the Las Vegas Gladiators. Smith moved into fifth place on team's all-time list with his 11th career San Jose interception on the road against the Dallas Desperados. He was named Defensive Player of the Game after recording an interception in his third straight game against the Rush. He recorded his single-season career-high ninth interception on the road against the Gladiators.

2004 playoffs

In the 2004 playoffs, Smith won his third straight championship. He started all 3 games at DS. He set a team single-game playoff record for total tackles (10.5) and solo tackles (10) in ArenaBowl XVIII.

2005

In 2005, Smith started at DS for the first three games of the season before sustaining a season-ending knee injury. He recorded 20.5 tackles (18 solo), an interception and four passes broken up for the season. He became just the third player in team history to record 200 career tackles. Smith recorded his 16th career interception as a SaberCat (24th overall) along with two pass break-ups to earn Defensive Player of the Game against the Gladiators. His season ended when he left the game in the fourth quarter after sustaining a knee injury on the road against the New Orleans VooDoo. The SaberCats placed him on Injured Reserve (IR) on February 17, 2005 with a ruptured patellar tendon missing the remainder of the season.

2006

In 2006, Smith returned from a serious knee injury and played and started 11 games at DS, including the final 10 regular season games. He began the season on IR recovering from the knee surgery. He totaled 41 tackles (38 solo), three passes broken up and two forced fumbles. He had three interceptions on the season giving him 27 in his career and 19 as a SaberCat. Smith returned two of his interceptions for touchdowns giving him the team's career lead. He started at DS in his first game since sustaining a knee injury in New Orleans on February 13, 2005, on the road against the Rattlers. He returned to the lineup after being inactive for three games starting at DS against the Avengers. In Tampa Bay, he recorded his 25th career interception which he returned 16 yards for a touchdown, his fifth career interception returned for a touchdown, to earn Defensive Player of the Game. Smith recorded his 18th interception of his San Jose career (26th overall) moving into fourth place on the team's career list, against the Austin Wranglers. He broke a tie with Greg Hopkins for sole possession of 20th place on the AFL's all-time career interception list with his 27th that he returned 42 yards for a touchdown, his fifth career interception return for a touchdown with San Jose (sixth overall) giving him the team's all-time lead, against the Crush.

2006 playoffs

Smith started both games at DS. He was named Defensive Player of the Game after his fifth career playoff interception (third as a SaberCat), five tackles and a pass broken up against the Rattlers. He had 3.5 tackles, a pass break-up and a fumble recovery against the Rush.

2007

In 2007, Smith started all 16 games at DB. He set team season records for most solo tackles (79) and total tackles (87.5). He tied Pat McGuirk for second on the team's career interception list with 24. Smith recorded 17 pass break-ups for the year to move into third place on the team's career list with 55. He recorded his 400th career total tackle, 365th career solo tackle, 100th career assisted tackle and 100th defended pass. He returned two of his five interceptions for touchdowns giving him eight for his career. He had the seventh longest fumble return in AFL history with 47-yards for a touchdown in a game against the Predators. He recorded his 300th career solo tackle on the road against the Avengers. He recorded his 350th career total tackle on the road against the Force. Smith recorded his 20th career interception as a SaberCat, 28th overall, against the Crush. He recorded his 29th career interception and 330th career solo tackle, against the Avengers. He played in his 90th career regular season AFL game at the Arizona Rattlers on May 5, 2007. He returned his 30th career interception 50-yards for a touchdown, the third longest return in team history, against the Gladiators. Smith moved into a tie for 17th place all-time with his 31st career interception earning Defensive Player of the Game honors against the Rampage. He recorded his 400th career total tackle, on the road against the Kats. He had two pass break-ups, giving him 100 passes defended for his career, on the road at the Utah Blaze. Smith had his 24th career interception as a SaberCat, tying Pat McGuirk for second place on team's career list, and returned it 36-yards for a touchdown, his eighth career interception returned for a touchdown and a team record seventh with San Jose, against the Rattlers. He recorded a season-high three pass break-ups in Las Vegas.

2007 playoffs

Smith started all three playoff games. He recorded nine tackles, his sixth career playoff interception and two pass break ups and earned Defensive Player of the Game in the SaberCats ArenaBowl XXI win over the Columbus Destroyers.

2008

In 2008, Smith began the season tied for second on the team's all-time interceptions list with 24. His 32 career interceptions were good for a 16th place tie on the AFL's chart. Smith posted three interceptions in the American Conference championship game, setting a SaberCats record for postseason play;[5] this matched his interception total from the regular season.[1]

Coaching career

College

Smith spent time as the defensive backs coach at Whittier College and Phoenix College.[6][7]

Arkansas Twisters

Smith was the defensive backs coach of the Arkansas Twisters of the af2 in 2009.[6]

Arizona Rattlers

Smith served as the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Rattlers from 2010 to 2013.[8][9]

San Jose SaberCats

In November 2013, Smith joined the SaberCats as assistant head coach.[10] He was the assistant head coach from 2014 to 2015.[11][9] He was also the team's offensive coordinator in 2014.[12][13]

Los Angeles KISS

On November 4, 2015, Smith was named the head coach of the Los Angeles KISS.[14] The team folded after the 2016 season.

Baltimore Brigade

On December 14, 2016, Smith was named the Baltimore Brigade's first head coach.[15]

Head coaching record
TeamYearRegular seasonPostseason
WonLostWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
LA2016 79.4382nd in NC01.000Lost to Cleveland Gladiators in Conference Semifinals
BAL2017 410.2864th in AFL01.000Lost to Philadelphia Soul in Semifinals
BAL2018 75.5832nd in AFL21.667Lost to Washington Valor in Arena Bowl XXXI
BAL2019 75.5834th in AFL02.000Lost to Albany Empire in Semifinals
Total[16]2529.46325.286

Personal life

One of Smith's cousins is former San Francisco 49ers safety Tim McDonald.

Smith has coached defensive backs at Whittier College. He has expressed a desire for a post-football career in broadcasting.[17] He has covered various high school football and volleyball games and some junior college football games in Southern California. Smith enjoys bowling and has partnered with teammates for a weekly outing during the season.

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References
  1. Lewis, Ted (July 24, 2008). "Vintage 'Cat". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
  2. Pastor, Frank (April 5, 2004). "Familiar face and position, unfamiliar team". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
  3. Fernas, Rob (December 8, 1994). "In Year of the Run, Peninsula Leads the Pack; Football: Panthers have five players selected by The Times. Serra has three honored". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
  4. "Spartans Target Arena Football League Title (page 1)". San Jose State University. July 26, 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
  5. "SaberCats get chance to defend title". San Francisco Chronicle. July 13, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
  6. "OMARR SMITH" (PDF). jackgorman.com. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 27, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  7. "Ask a sabercat: Omarr Smith, DB, #14". mercurynews.com. March 10, 2008. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  8. Obert, Richard (April 22, 2010). "Arizona Rattlers' defensive backs an area of concentration". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on September 24, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
  9. Ottenheimer, Kyle (January 22, 2017). "Baltimore AFL Coach Omarr Smith On What Fans Can Expect". pressboxonline.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  10. "SaberCats Welcome Back Omarr Smith to San Jose". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  11. Sklar, Debbie, L. (April 2, 2016). "LA KISS opens third season Saturday night at Honda Center". arenafan.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2017.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. "Coaches". thesanjosesabercats.com. Archived from the original on July 22, 2014. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  13. "Coaches". thesanjosesabercats.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  14. "Omarr Smith Named New Head Coach". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. November 4, 2015. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  15. Shaffer, Jonas (December 14, 2016). "Omarr Smith named first head coach of Baltimore Arena Football League team". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  16. "Omarr Smith Coaching Record". ArenaFan.com. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  17. "Spartans Target Arena Football League Title (page 2)". San Jose State University. July 26, 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
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