Tom Smythe, who has enjoyed years of success as a high school football coach in the U.S., has gained just as much enjoyment from spreading the game overseas.
Courtesy photo
There has probably never been a high school football coach who could match the globetrotting exploits of Tom Smythe.
The 72-year-old Smythe is the head coach at
Lakeridge (Lake Oswego, Ore.) during the school year, then heads for Europe where he has coached the Zagreb Thunder of Zagreb, Croatia to a current 1-1 record. He will be there until August when he will return to his high school team.
Longtime high school recruiting analyst Tom Lemming believes Smythe is one of a kind.
He told MaxPreps, "I don't know of anyone who does that. Most coaches have their hands full with their own teams. It's a year-round job now."
Smythe began his spring-summer odyssey in 1994 in Austria by coaching the Vienna Vikings Football Club. In nine seasons with the Vikings, he posted a 94-14 record with six national titles and two European championships. He also coached a team in Finland for two years and has worked in Croatia since 2011.
Entering this year, his record in overseas coaching is 113-22, a remarkable feat considering most of his players have little or no experience.
During 34 years at four high schools (three stints at Lakeridge), Smythe has compiled a 301-89 record with three state championships. He has been able to turn around unsuccessful programs rather quickly and has had just three losing seasons.
Now retired as a teacher, he was asked (via email) why he likes to coach overseas.
He explained, "I've never had a team in the USA enjoy the game as much as the players in Europe. They, without exception, yearn to learn everything about the game they can absorb. They listen with a critical ear and never miss anything you say. They will play in cow pastures. They will play without locker rooms. They will play with hand-me-down equipment. All with a smile on their face. My wife, Nancy, and I have many, many friends in Europe that we now count as life long friends. We are godparents and welcome in so many homes here."
Tom Smythe, Lakeridge
Courtesy photo
Obviously, he doesn't do it for the pay or the glamor. The game atmosphere is nothing like it is in the USA, even at the high school level. The players start at around age 19 and average in the mid-20s. They join a club and pay their dues. The only players who get paid are those from other countries, usually two or thee Americans.
"All the teams in the 'Balkans' are relatively new to the game of football and all of them struggle with finances," he pointed out. "The crowds are sparse, the pay is inconsistent. What they all have in common is the desire to play and enjoy a game they've fallen in love with."
During all of his travels, Smythe has been most impressed with Ireland and Austria.
He noted, "I love Ireland. The most friendly people in the entire world. The green-on-green landscape is inspiring. Austria, because I spent nine years there and have made so many good friends."
Despite his love for Europe, his roots still lie firmly planted in Oregon soil.
According to a story his mother once shared with him, Smythe was destined from an early age to be a football coach.
When he was two years old, his family moved from Nebraska to Oregon and bought a house next to the high school football field. One day she could not find him and his brother, so she asked the coach, who was watching practice at the time, if by chance he had seen her sons.
He replied, "Not by chance, they are always sitting up in those bleachers with their pet goat."
Smythe reflected, "I guess I was in love with the game at an early age, because that's all I ever wanted to be ... Coach Tom."
He was a three-sport standout at Lake Oswego (Ore.), graduating in 1959. He attended several colleges and graduated from Lewis & Clark College.
In 1970, Smythe landed his first head football job — at his alma mater — and turned in a 6-3 record at age 29.
Dr. Bob Sotta, who quarterbacked that team, told MaxPreps, "He had a big influence on me. He made it fun and had a sense of humor, but he was fiercely competitive and evoked great loyalty. It helps you in ways you don't realize until later."
Sotta shared a story about a game in which Lake Oswego trailed late and Smythe called a timeout to talk to his players.
He recalled, "He told us a joke and said, 'Call the right play.' And it worked."
In between his long prep career, Smythe also spent one year as an assistant at Oregon State University and six years as head coach at his alma mater, Lewis & Clark College.
Over the years, he developed a "simple" coaching philosophy. "Two things really: (1) I want my team physically, mentally and emotionally at their peak on game day/night. Therefore, short but quality practice and prep. Sensible in and off season commitment. (2) My goal is to have every player be able to look me in the eye, when their playing days are over, and say, 'I loved that coach and I'd do it again in a minute.' Too many have the opposite experience and say, 'God, I'm glad it's over.'"
Smythe has been known as an innovator.
He said, "I was always impressed with teams that could both throw the football and run the option. My thought was to spread the field and make the defense cover from sideline to sideline and from line of scrimmage to goal line. I followed Mouse Davis in Oregon and he, of course, was the first 'run and shoot' coach and took the offense to college and professional football ... I was never afraid to be the first coach to try something."
Tom Smythe, Lakeridge
Courtesy photo
Off the field, his innovations include his own website and a 300-page playbook that sells for $500.
Smythe estimates that he has sent over 100 players into college football, including three who reached the NFL. They are quarterback Eric Wilhelm (Jets and Bengals), wide receiver J.J. Birden (Falcons and Chiefs) and quarterback Doug Nussmeier (Saints and Bengals), who now is the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at the University of Alabama.
Asked about his greatest thrill, he replied, "Winning the first of three state championships would be hard to beat, But that aside, watching kids grow into young men before my eyes is pretty thrilling."
Biggest disappointment: "Any time a kid gives up on the game, it makes me think I could have done something more to help him understand the value gained from playing the game."
After thinking he was retired, Smythe, nevertheless, returned for his third tour of duty at Lakeridge in 2009.
He admitted, "It didn't take a lot of encouragement for me to eventually say yes. I have found the support to be 'off the charts', the people supportive and it has been a very pleasant four years. We had some early success the second year and were moving along well the third year until our QB went down with a broken arm. Since that game (1 1/2 years ago) we have been struggling to regain the momentum we had established. I believe this year's team will get us back on track."
Lakeridge officials and other coaches couldn't be happier to have the legendary leader back at the helm.
Athletic director Ian Lamont noted, "When he came back there were a ton of people who had played for him. We went from struggling to getting our numbers up to 109. He's a really good role model for our kids. He still loves kids and loves coaching. He wants to finish where he started."
Lamont recalled the day that a big tackle met the new coach for the first time.
He asked the player, How'd it go?"
The reply: "He's 100 years old, but he makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside."
Asked if his age is a problem, Smythe said, "I don't feel like it is. The kids show me great respect. Maybe my white hair helps. Seriously, these kids are smart and they understand where I've been and what I've accomplished. I've never felt like my age was a factor at all. Except to be an advantage."
Assistant Jake Smith, who played for Smythe in college, has long been sold on his coach.
He related, "When I was a player, he was a mentor and father figure, someone you could go to when you had bad times. He uses the game of football to teach life lessons. As a coach, he wants kids to play more sports and be more diversified athletes. Behind closed doors he's the same guy."
Smith watched his mentor work miracles with Myke Tavarres, a middle linebacker who came from a tough background but earned a full scholarship to the University of Arkansas.
"Myke is a great story," Smythe agreed. "A raw talent when I first saw him as a junior at Lakeridge, but undisciplined. In the two years I was able to coach him he made nearly unbelievable strides. He has NFL talent. He comes from a difficult home life, but never made excuses. He simply overcomes all road blocks and has made himself into a player and a man. I'm very, very proud of him."
Outside of football, Smythe enjoys reading and, of course, traveling. He also roots for the New York Yankees — especially veteran shortstop Derek Jeter.
Will he ever retire?
"I've never put a time limit on my career," he pointed out. "However, I'm slowing down. I don't want anyone to have to ask me to retire. When I feel like I'm no longer helping kids, I'll hang up the whistle. When I retire it will be both in the USA and in Europe."
