Smith Named To MSU Football Staff
"I am excited that I can add someone with the character and experience ofMelvin Smith to our coaching staff," Croom said. "He shares the visionthat this staff has in building this program to a championship level."
For Smith, 48, returning to MSU is a homecoming. A native of Taylorsville,Miss., who grew up in Magee, Miss., Smith was an assistant football coach atState for seven years (1995-2001), helping guide the Bulldogs througharguably the greatest period in the school's football history. The 24-yearcoaching veteran has spent 20 of those years working in the Magnolia State.
Smith comes to Mississippi State following three seasons at Texas A&M, wherehe coached the safeties. During his tenure in College Station, Texas, Smithhelped the Aggies to a 7-4 regular season record in 2004 and a berth in the2005 Cotton Bowl.
Prior to his stint at A&M and immediately following his seven years at MSU,Smith coached the safeties at Alabama in 2002. That Crimson Tide teamposted a 10-3 regular season record that year.
Smith's specific position responsibility has not yet been determined onCroom's coaching staff. Smith has shown an ability to teach on both sidesof the ball, however, having served six seasons as a defensive backfieldcoach following one year as the wide receivers coach during his initial stayin Starkville.
He tutored the likes of current National Football League cornerback FredSmoot and long-time pro standout wide receiver Eric Moulds during that time.
In 2000, three of his four defensive backfield starters signed professionalfootball contracts. That secondary intercepted 19 passes, the second-mostin school history. One year earlier, Smith's secondary led the SoutheasternConference in pass defense and finished the season ranked fourth nationallyin that department. In 1998, his troops were the last NCAA Division I unitto allow a touchdown through the air (Week 5).
From 1997-2000, Mississippi State posted a 33-15 overall record, 20-12 inthe SEC. The 1998 team won the SEC Western Division championship and playedeventual national champion Tennessee in the SEC title game in Atlanta. Thatteam culminated the year with a berth in the 1999 Cotton Bowl. In 1999,State finished 10-2, defeating Clemson in the '99 Peach Bowl. The 2000Bulldog team won eight games and beat Texas A&M in the Independence Bowl.
Smith has also coached on the collegiate level in Mississippi at Ole Miss(1992-94) and Delta State (1990-91). He began his coaching career on thehigh school level at Greenwood (Miss.) from 1982-89.
Smith holds a master's degree in administration from Delta State (1992) anda bachelor's degree in health and physical education from Millsaps College.Smith is married to the former Sheilah McLemore and the couple has fourchildren.