FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- It was hard not to notice the hunk of gold seemingly encasing the ring finger on Mike Smith's right hand Thursday. The markings on the massive band identified it as a Super Bowl ring, a relic of Smith's past life as a coach for the Baltimore Ravens.
In his new life as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, Smith hopes to someday replace the hardware with something sporting a few more diamonds and the unmistakable red and black bird of his new team.
"I'm committed to making this football team one of the most competitive football teams in the National Football League," said Smith, who was introduced Thursday as the 14th coach in franchise history. He was joined by Falcons Owner and CEO Arthur Blank, newly-hired General Manager Thomas Dimitroff and his wife and 7-year-old daughter.
The 26-year coaching veteran and former defensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars brings a diverse background to the fold. He has made stops with just five teams prior to joining the Falcons with positions ranging from "college assistant coach" to "professional defensive coordinator." He broke into the NFL on his brother-in-law Brian Billick's staff in Baltimore after spending 11 years coaching defense and special teams at Tennessee Tech.
He led the Jaguars defense from 2003 to 2007. The group ranked fifth in the AFC last season, allowing 100.3 rushing yards per game and 12th in the NFL in total defense. The Jaguars ranked third in points allowed and fourth in overall defense in the 2006 season. Three defensive players in Jacksonville went to a total of six Pro Bowls during Smith's tenure.
"First of all, I’m very happy for Smitty," Jags defensive tackle Marcus Stroud said. "He’s definitely a deserving coach and will be a very good addition to the Falcons. He’s ready for this opportunity. He’s been a good coach for a long time. He is going to bring stability and a tough-minded approach. He’s a leader and will do a great job in Atlanta."
"He’s a perfectionist," added Jacksonville linebacker Mike Peterson. "He strives for everything to be run a certain way. He’s definitely the guy for the job and will be a good fit. On the bitter side, the entire five years we have been here with Stroud, (John) Henderson and all of the other guys we built up a relationship, not just a coach relationship but as friends.
Smith's hire ends an exhausting search for a replacement for former head coach Bobby Petrino, who abruptly resigned in December after just 13 games at the helm. It also provides a logical starting point to a new era of Falcons football after a 4-12 season compounded by Petrino's resignation, player frustrations and the incarceration of quarterback Michael Vick on dogfighting charges.
Thursday, Smith symbolically -- and literally -- put 2007 in the past.
"I know it was a very difficult year last year for the Atlanta Falcons," Smith said when asked about winning back the locker room. "I'm concerned about what's happening from today on. In terms of mending the situation that occurred, I'm a very open man and very personable. I like to have relationships with the players. I've already visited with a couple players. Over the next couple weeks I plan on visiting with a number of players on the squad -- veterans and rookies -- and talk about what's gone on the last couple of years."
The eldest of eight children, the Dayton Beach, Fla. native spoke at length about his attention to detail, "analytical" attitude and communication skills.
"Players like to play for him," Blank said. "All the (good) things we heard about Mike we heard them very consistently."
Smith stopped short of outlining specifics of returning the Falcons to championship status. He did say each year brings a new set of unique challenges and offers a clean slate to fill with success or failure.
"I'm a very systematic guy," he said. "Any season in this league is a marathon. It's a long process. From year-to-year there are no quick fixes. The process is going to start here when we start our offseason conditioning programs. It's a process and a system that I'll put in place that I think is going to allow our players to grow both mentally and physically. Is there a quick fix? I think every year it's long-term."
Smith, 48, will build the team with the mindset to run and stop the run. Winning, he says, is a result of character.
"You have to have character football players," he said. "Talent level is such that it's very balanced in this league. I think that's the thing that makes the difference. So many things in this league come down to the last drive -- the last two minutes of the game. The guys that have the most character are the guys that are going to have the best opportunity to win."
Smith emerged as the leading candidate in recent days despite reports the Falcons would wait until after the Super Bowl to interview remaining prospects still coaching in the playoffs. As it happened, the best candidate was Smith, who the team researched for weeks.
"We feel very comfortable that we did the right thing by making the choice now," Dimitroff said.
The new general manager went on to praise Smith's ability and interest as a talent evaluator and how that will pay dividends as the two work together to build a successful franchise.
"I think there's a number of positive things going on and I think there's nowhere to go but up," added Smith. "I think it's a great opportunity here."
Blank agreed, saying the compatibility between coach and talent boss must be cohesive in order to build a winning reputation.
"You try to study why teams are successful," the owner said. "What you see -- and there's not an exception to this -- is that every single team that's successful in the National Football League over five, seven to 10 years the head coach and the general manager are working like this," he said locking his fingers together. "We think we have that here."
And, in time, Smith may not be the only one with a ring on his finger.
MORE ON HEAD COACH MIKE SMITH:
- NEWS: Falcons, Smith look toward future
- RELEASE: Falcons name Smith new head coach
- PHOTOS: Mike Smith photo gallery
- NOTEBOOK: Getting to Know Mike Smith
- QUOTABLE: What They're Saying about Mike Smith
- AUDIO: Linebacker Michael Boley on the hiring of Mike Smith
- NEWS: Smith names Thomas assistant head coach
- VIDEO: Smith Answers Fans Questions
- VIDEO: Mike Smith Introductory News Conference
- BOARDS: Talk about Smith on FalconsLIFE
