Frank Smith joined the Miami Dolphins as offensive coordinator in 2022.
The 2024 season marks the 21st year of coaching for Smith, including 15 at the NFL level and six in the collegiate ranks.
In his second year with Miami in 2023, Smith helped the offense make huge strides and the team reached a second consecutive playoff berth, its first back-to-back trips since 1997-2001. In 2023, the Dolphins offense led the league in total offense (401.3) for the first time since 1994. Miami also led the league in passing offense (265.5), yards per carry (5.1) and quarterback hits allowed (59) and finished the season second in scoring offense (29.9). They led the league in explosive play metrics, including most plays of 10+ yards (255) and 50+ yards (12). Despite having the second-most starting offensive line combinations in the league (12), Miami also excelled in protection, allowing the fourth-fewest sacks (31.0) and fewest quarterback hits (59).
That offensive line also blocked for running back Raheem Mostert (1,012), who had his first 1,000-yard rushing season at 31 years old. Mostert's 18 rushing touchdowns and 21 total touchdowns broke team records that had stood since 2002 (Ricky Williams) and 1984 (Mark Clayton), respectively. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill (1,799) had the seventh-most receiving yards in NFL history and broke his own team record set the previous season. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (1,014) became the first player in team history to post three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. The 2023 season marked the first time in team history that Miami had a 4,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers in the same season.
Five offensive players – tackle Terron Armstead, wide receiver Tyreek Hill, fullback Alec Ingold, running back Raheem Mostert and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa – were selected to the Pro Bowl. Hill, Ingold, Mostert and Tagovailoa were all selected as starters, marking the first time since 1984 the Dolphins had four offensive players named as starters. Hill was a unanimous first-team All-Pro selection and was Sporting News' Offensive Player of the Year as selected by his peers.
In Smith's first season as an NFL offensive coordinator in 2022, the Dolphins had a top 10 offense for the first time since 1995, ranking sixth and averaging 364.5 yards per game. Tagovailoa became the youngest NFL player since 1984 (Dan Marino) to lead the league in passer rating (105.5) and Hill shattered the team's single-season records for receptions (119) and receiving yards (1,710). Waddle had 1,356 receiving yards – the third-most in team history – and led the NFL in receiving average (18.1). The Dolphins were the only NFL team to feature a pair of 1,200-yard receivers that season.
The improvement the offense made in Smith's first season in Miami was notable. The Dolphins went from 25th in total offense in 2021 to sixth in 2022. They moved up 11 spots in scoring offense as well, from 22nd to 11th (23.4 points per game). Miami finished with a winning record and earned a playoff berth for the first time since 2016.
Hill and Terron Armstead were both named starters for the AFC team in the Pro Bowl, marking the first time since 1995 that Miami had two offensive players chosen as Pro Bowl starters. Hill also earned first-team All-Pro honors.
Smith spent the 2021 season as run game coordinator/offensive line coach for the Los Angeles Chargers. He helped the Chargers rank fourth in total offense (390.2) and fifth in scoring offense (27.9). It was the most points the Chargers had scored in a season since 2009. The offensive line helped protect quarterback Justin Herbert, who produced the best season by a passer in Chargers history, throwing for a franchise-record 5,014 yards and 38 touchdowns. Running back Austin Ekeler rushed for 12 touchdowns, the most by a Chargers rusher since Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson had 12 in 2009. Smith helped develop center Corey Linsley and rookie tackle Rashawn Slater as both earned second-team All-Pro honors and were selected to the first Pro Bowl of their careers.
From 2018-20, Smith served as tight ends coach for the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders. He worked closely with tight end Darren Waller, who caught 203 passes for 2,416 yards (11.9 avg.) and 12 touchdowns. His 2,416 receiving yards were third-most by an NFL tight end in that span despite being limited to just four games in 2018, his first season with the Raiders. Prior to 2019, Waller had never recorded more than 100 receiving yards in a season until Smith helped him tally back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. A tight end led the team in receiving in all three seasons Smith spent with the Raiders.
In 2020, Waller led all NFL tight ends with 107 receptions. His 1,196 receiving yards were the second-most by a tight end in the NFL that season and second-most by a tight end in Raiders history. He also caught nine touchdown passes. It earned Waller the first Pro Bowl selection of his career.
Waller had his breakout season in 2019, catching 90 passes for 1,145 yards (12.7 avg.) and three touchdowns. Entering the 2019 campaign, Waller's previous career highs were 10 receptions and 85 yards in 2016. His 90 receptions and 1,145 yards were both second among NFL tight ends that season. Foster Moreau led all rookie tight ends with five receiving touchdowns. Raiders tight ends totaled 718 yards-after-catch, which led all NFL tight end groups.
In Smith's first season with the Raiders in 2018, tight end Jared Cook led the team with 68 receptions for 896 yards (13.2 avg.) and six touchdowns. His 68 receptions and 896 receiving yards were the most in his 13-year career and earned him his first Pro Bowl selection.
Smith was the Chicago Bears' tight ends coach from 2015-17. In 2017, tight end Zach Miller totaled 20 receptions for 236 yards (11.8 avg.) and two touchdowns in eight games. In addition to Miller, tight ends Dion Sims (15), Dan Brown (13) and Adam Shaheen (12) all had double-digit receptions.
Miller had the best season of his career in 2016, totaling career highs in receptions (47) and receiving yards (486). Brown was a late-season waiver claim and made an immediate impact, catching a career-high 16 passes for 124 yards (7.8 avg.) and a touchdown in just six games.
In Smith's first season with the Bears in 2015, he helped tight end Martellus Bennett catch 53 passes for 439 yards (8.3 avg.) and three touchdowns in just 11 games. His 53 receptions were second on the team that season. Miller had a career-high five receiving touchdowns after catching 34 passes for 439 yards (12.9 avg.).
Smith's first NFL coaching job came with the New Orleans Saints from 2010-14. He began as a coaching assistant from 2010-11 and was promoted to offensive assistant/offensive line from 2012-14. During those five seasons, the Saints won at least 10 games on three occasions and made the playoffs three times. During his three seasons as offensive assistant/offensive line (2012-14), the Saints were second in the NFL in total offense (407.2) and fifth in scoring offense (26.6).
In 2014, the Saints spread out their offensive attack to multiple weapons. Wide receivers Kenny Stills (931) and Marques Colston (902) both topped 900 receiving yards, tight end Jimmy Graham led the team with 85 receptions and 10 touchdown receptions and running back Mark Ingram II had 964 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Drew Brees passed for 4,952 yards and joined Ingram, Graham and guard Jahri Evans in the Pro Bowl.
The Saints won 11 games in 2014, posting an 8-0 mark at home and securing their first-ever road playoff win. Brees passed for 5,162 yards and 39 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl nod. Graham (first team) and Evans (second team) earned All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl selections and Graham led the NFL with 16 receiving touchdowns that season.
In Smith's first season as offensive assistant/offensive line in 2012, he helped two offensive linemen earn Pro Bowl honors – Evans and tackle Jermon Bushrod. Evans also earned first-team All-Pro recognition. The Saints had two 1,000-yard receivers and four players catch at least 60 passes.
The Saints won at least 10 games and advanced to the playoffs in each of Smith's first two seasons with the club (2010-11) as a coaching assistant.
Smith spent four seasons (2006-09) at Butler, beginnining his tenure as offensive line coach (2006) before he was promoted to offensive coordinator/offensive line in 2007. He helped the Bulldogs improve from a 4-7 mark in 2007 to an 11-1 record in 2009.
Smith's first coaching position came as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Miami (Ohio), from 2004-05.
Smith was a captain and three-year starter on the offensive line at Miami (Ohio) from 2001-03. He helped protect quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who played 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A native of Milwaukee, Smith graduated from Miami (Ohio) with a degree in organizational leadership. He and his wife, Nicole, have six children together.
