What Frank Smith Brings to the Vikings
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 03: Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith of the Miami Dolphins reacts during the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images Perhaps the most consequential new coaching hire the Minnesota Vikings have made this offseason is that of Frank Smith, former offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins under Mike McDaniel. Smith joins the Vikings as Assistant Head Coach, replacing the retired Mike Pettine who held that title last year.
Unlike Pettine, who was a defensive coach, Smith’s expertise is on the offensive side and particularly in the run game. Smith did not call plays under offensive head coach Mike McDaniel but was credited with helping in designing the Dolphins’ successful run game over his four years in Miami. Smith was let go along with McDaniel this offseason.
Smith, a former starting center in college for Miami of Ohio, started in the NFL as Assistant Offensive Line coach under Sean Payton in New Orleans for several years then became tight ends coach under John Fox in Chicago for three years and then in the same role under Jon Gruden for three seasons with the Raiders. He then served as run game coordinator/offensive line coach under Bradon Staley with the Chargers for a season before being elevated to offensive coordinator under McDaniel in Miami. Smith is credited with turning around Darren Waller’s career after the Raiders signed him off of the Ravens’ practice squad, helping him get over his addiction and converting him to tight end.
Smith is also credited with coaching a shorter-armed Rashawn Slater to a Pro Bowl season as a rookie- the first rookie left tackle to make the Pro Bowl in a decade. Smith is a soft spoken but self-confident coach who McDaniel credited as being a great teacher. As Assistant Head Coach with the Vikings, Smith is expected to take a leading role in developing the Vikings run game.
While at Miami under McDaniel, the Dolphins employed a wide-zone-based run scheme but also operated primarily out of the shotgun formation. The Vikings have also run mostly a zone-based run scheme last season, but looked to have more success, on average, with gap scheme runs- duo runs or power runs off-tackle or outside. Additionally, among the presumed starting five this season- Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Blake Brandel, Will Fries, and Brian O’Neill- only O’Neill graded higher as a zone blocker compared to gap blocking last season.
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