Shea Smith
Encyclopedia
Shea Smith is a former American
college football
quarterback
for the Air Force Academy football
program.
in his hometown of Odessa, Texas
, where he lettered
in football under his father. During his high school career, he also lettered once in basketball
and baseball
. During his senior season, Smith was named to the second-team all-district football team.
near Colorado Springs, Colorado
, after not receiving offers from his top four schools—Iowa
, Texas A&M
, Southern Methodist
, and Texas Christian
.
Under then-head coach Fisher DeBerry
, Smith saw no varsity playing time in his freshman season, though did play for the program's junior varsity teams. In his sophomore season in 2006, he made his varsity debut in the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy against rival Army
in a 43–7 victory, but did not accumulate any stats. His second appearance came at the end of the season in a 38–14 loss to TCU
. In his sophomore year, Smith accumulated three rushes for a total of zero yards.
In the 2007 season, Smith saw more playing time on the varsity squad under head coach Troy Calhoun
, though was still primarily a backup. His season debut came in a 34–3 victory over South Carolina State. He rushed once, for a six-yard gain. In the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl
against the California Golden Bears
, Smith stepped in as quarterback in the third quarter after starter Shaun Carney left the game with an injury. After not completing his first career pass, Smith connected with wide receiver Travis Dekker for a 13-yard gain. He ended the game 45 yards passing and 33 yards rushing in the Falcons' 42–36 loss. He made six appearances during the season.
Smith entered his senior year at Air Force, uncertain if he would be the starting quarterback. However, on August 11, coach Troy Calhoun released a two-week depth chart, which named Smith as starter. In his first collegiate start, Smith passed for 75 yards and one touchdown, as well as rushing for 91 yards and another score, en route 41–7 blowout win over Southern Utah. Smith's first top-20
opponent came on September 20, 2008, when Air Force faced in-conference opponents #20 Utah
. He completed 7-of-13 passing for 138 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. However, Air Force lost their first game of the season, 30–23—rallying for 14 points in the fourth quarter. Midway through the season, however, Smith was benched in favor of freshman quarterback Tim Jefferson. After being demoted to second-string quarterback, Smith saw very little action throughout the remainder of the season and did not play in five games. He saw some action in Air Force's final regular season game in a 44-10 loss to TCU.
The Falcons finished the regular season 8–4., including a bowl bid to the 2008 Armed Forces Bowl
against Houston
, who Air Force had previously defeated 31–28 earlier in the season. Jefferson got the start in the 34–28 loss, though Smith did play some part during the game.
Smith served as a graduate assistant coach for the Falcons, during the 2009 season, under Troy Calhoun.
! rowspan=2|Team !! rowspan=2|Season !! colspan=6|Passing !! colspan=5|Rushing>
! Att !! Yards !! Avg !! TD !! Long> —
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
| 4–12 > 33.3
0
0
45
39
7.8
0
13
| 30–57 > 52.6
4
3
413
229
3.8
6
41
! 34–69 !! 49.3 !! 4 !! 3 !! 458 !! 53
! 68 !! 268 !! 3.9 !! 6 !! 41>
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the Air Force Academy football
Air Force Falcons football
The Air Force Falcons are a college football team from the United States Air Force Academy, located just outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the NCAA Division I and the Mountain West Conference.-Style:...
program.
High school
Smith attended Permian High SchoolPermian High School
Permian High School is a public high school located in Odessa, Texas and is part of the Ector County Independent School District. It was the subject of the book Friday Night Lights which in turn inspired a movie and TV series of the same name.-History:...
in his hometown of Odessa, Texas
Odessa, Texas
Odessa is a city in and the county seat of Ector County, Texas, United States. It is located primarily in Ector County, although a small portion of the city extends into Midland County. Odessa's population was 99,940 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Odessa, Texas Metropolitan...
, where he lettered
Varsity letter
A varsity letter is an award earned in the United States for excellence in school activities. A varsity letter signifies that its winner was a qualified varsity team member, awarded after a certain standard was met.- Description :...
in football under his father. During his high school career, he also lettered once in basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
. During his senior season, Smith was named to the second-team all-district football team.
College career
Smith decided to attend the United States Air Force AcademyUnited States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
near Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
, after not receiving offers from his top four schools—Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
, Texas A&M
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
, Southern Methodist
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
, and Texas Christian
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
.
Under then-head coach Fisher DeBerry
Fisher DeBerry
Fisher DeBerry is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the United States Air Force Academy from 1984 to 2006, compiling a record of 169–109–1. DeBerry led 17 of his 23 Air Force Falcons squads to winning records and 12 captured a bowl...
, Smith saw no varsity playing time in his freshman season, though did play for the program's junior varsity teams. In his sophomore season in 2006, he made his varsity debut in the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy against rival Army
Army Black Knights football
The Army Black Knights football program represents the United States Military Academy. Army was recognized as the national champions in 1944, 1945 and 1946....
in a 43–7 victory, but did not accumulate any stats. His second appearance came at the end of the season in a 38–14 loss to TCU
TCU Horned Frogs football
The TCU Horned Frogs football team is the intercollegiate football team of Texas Christian University. TCU competes as a member of the Mountain West Conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, but will move to the Big 12 Conference for the 2012 season. TCU began playing football...
. In his sophomore year, Smith accumulated three rushes for a total of zero yards.
Troy Calhoun
-External links:*...
, though was still primarily a backup. His season debut came in a 34–3 victory over South Carolina State. He rushed once, for a six-yard gain. In the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl
2007 Armed Forces Bowl
The 2007 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl was a college football bowl game that was played on December 31, 2007, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, USA...
against the California Golden Bears
2007 California Golden Bears football team
The 2007 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the college football 2007-2008 season. They played their home games at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California and were coached by Jeff Tedford....
, Smith stepped in as quarterback in the third quarter after starter Shaun Carney left the game with an injury. After not completing his first career pass, Smith connected with wide receiver Travis Dekker for a 13-yard gain. He ended the game 45 yards passing and 33 yards rushing in the Falcons' 42–36 loss. He made six appearances during the season.
Smith entered his senior year at Air Force, uncertain if he would be the starting quarterback. However, on August 11, coach Troy Calhoun released a two-week depth chart, which named Smith as starter. In his first collegiate start, Smith passed for 75 yards and one touchdown, as well as rushing for 91 yards and another score, en route 41–7 blowout win over Southern Utah. Smith's first top-20
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
opponent came on September 20, 2008, when Air Force faced in-conference opponents #20 Utah
2008 Utah Utes football team
The 2008 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team, coached by 4th year head football coach Kyle Whittingham, plays its home games in Rice–Eccles Stadium...
. He completed 7-of-13 passing for 138 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. However, Air Force lost their first game of the season, 30–23—rallying for 14 points in the fourth quarter. Midway through the season, however, Smith was benched in favor of freshman quarterback Tim Jefferson. After being demoted to second-string quarterback, Smith saw very little action throughout the remainder of the season and did not play in five games. He saw some action in Air Force's final regular season game in a 44-10 loss to TCU.
The Falcons finished the regular season 8–4., including a bowl bid to the 2008 Armed Forces Bowl
2008 Armed Forces Bowl
The 2008 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl was the sixth edition of the annual post-season college football bowl game, and featured the Houston Cougars against the Air Force Falcons on December 31, 2008 at Amon G. Carter Stadium on the campus of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas and...
against Houston
2008 Houston Cougars football team
The 2008 Houston Cougars football team, also known as the Houston Cougars, Houston, or UH, represented the University of Houston in the college football 2008-2009 season. It was the 63rd year of season play for Houston...
, who Air Force had previously defeated 31–28 earlier in the season. Jefferson got the start in the 34–28 loss, though Smith did play some part during the game.
Smith served as a graduate assistant coach for the Falcons, during the 2009 season, under Troy Calhoun.
Career statistics
! Att !! Yards !! Avg !! TD !! Long>
2007 Air Force Falcons football team
The 2007 United States Air Force Academy Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy in the college football season of 2007–2008, getting second place in the Mountain West Conference, and losing the Armed Forces Bowl to California...
| 4–12 >
2008 Air Force Falcons football team
The 2008 Air Force Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the 2008 season. Air Force competed as a member of the Mountain West Conference .The team was led by...
| 30–57 >
! 34–69 !! 49.3 !! 4 !! 3 !! 458 !! 53
! 68 !! 268 !! 3.9 !! 6 !! 41>
Personal life
Smith was born to parents Scott and Kelly Smith in Odessa, Texas. He is one of their two children. Shea's younger brother (Braden Smith) currently plays football for SMU. In summer of 2009 Shea married Lindsay Smith (formerly Lindsay Donham). Lindsay, who graduated from Baylor in 2009 is a renowned baker and aspiring lawyer. Shea and Lindsay currently reside in Shreveport, Louisiana. Shea became a high school coach in his alma mater in Texas. Shea is considered by many to be an expert on the triple option offense.,.External links
- Air Force Falcons bio
- Shea Smith stats at ESPN.com