Published: January 13, 2007 08:29 am      

THE ROGERS REPORT: Smiley choice makes sense

Michael Landers admitted Thursday morning he was pretty much mentally drained after the month-long search he headed for the next head football coach at Trinity Valley Community College came to an end.

It’s easy to understand why.

Landers, in his first year as the college’s athletic director, has had a lot on his plate. In addition to the search that ultimately led to the hiring of former Cardinal assistant coach Brad Smiley as head football coach, Landers was also busy with his freshman-laden Lady Cardinal basketball team.

You would never know he had a lot going on, though, with his selection of Smiley to lead the Cardinal football program. It’s a good choice and one that makes a lot of sense.

First of all, having served as an assistant on Scotty Conley’s TVCC staff for two years in the late 1990s gives Smiley a familiarity with both the college and the conference. That’s a valuable asset anytime, and even more so this time of year with the recruiting process finish line in sight.

The latter is what really makes Smiley the sensible choice. He’s spent the last two of his seven-year stint at Tulane University as recruiting coordinator. He also was the school’s recruiter of the Dallas-Forth Worth area.

Those two items on Smiley’s resume played a big role in Landers making him the choice. Ground has been lost in recruiting since Mark Sartain’s departure for East Texas Baptist University last month. It must be made up, and made up quickly as the Feb. 7 signing date races ever closer.

Give credit to Landers for understanding the situation and realizing Smiley would have the contacts needed when it came to recruiting. Landers said once Smiley accepted the job he had no doubt he was on the phones and making contacts with possible future Cardinals.

The new Cardinal head coach is considered a recruiting guru. At Tulane, he instituted a modernized, computerized system designed to make the recruiting process easier for prospects and coaches. That should pay dividends as he puts together his first TVCC team.

Smiley was to arrive on campus today to meet with coaches remaining from Sartain’s staff (Scott Hawks, Chris Gillert and Cody Robinson). Their futures with the college will obviously be a topic of discussion, but the most important agenda item will be recruiting.

Players returning from the 2006 season will get a chance to meet Smiley on Monday. They’d better get to know him quickly, for chances are good they won’t see much of him over the next couple of weeks. He’ll be on the road recruiting.

When Smiley was an assistant at TVCC in 1998-99, he coached the offensive line and tight ends. The Cardinals led the league in rushing both seasons and ranked in the top 10 nationally. In his last season at the college, the Cardinals won the Southwest Junior College Football Conference title with a Red River Bowl victory over Navarro.

During his first stay at TVCC, he also became very familiar with high school football in East Texas, which will also be an asset in the recruiting process in the days to come. He is fully aware of the talent level in this part of the state and will no doubt make it a focal point when it comes to signing players.

Smiley will be a great addition to TVCC and the community. He is young, energetic and laid back, which should easily make him a favorite among players and the Cardinals’ fan base. More importantly, for the time being, he should also be very welcomed into homes of recruits.

Welcome back to The Valley, Brad. It’s good to have you.

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QUICK-HITTERS — Athens High School graduate Clayton George resigned last month as head football coach at Haltom High School to become an assistant coach on Todd Dodge’s staff at the University of North Texas ... Corey Chancellor has resigned at TVCC to become defensive coordinator on Mark Sartain’s staff at East Texas Baptist University ... Cardinal Gym will be quiet this week. There are no home games scheduled for TVCC teams ... The North Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation has named Daniel Gibbins of LaRue its Ages 15-18 Player of the Year for the East Texas chapter.