Falcons' Smith win top coach award
January 4 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"Mike Smith has gone from being an obscure but respected assistant to the NFL's Coach of the Year in less than 12 months.
Smith, who led the Falcons to an improbable turnaround from league doormat to the playoffs, edged out Miami coach Tony Sparano by one vote for the Associated Press 2008 NFL Coach of the Year award announced Sunday
"I'm honored individually, but more so for our coaching staff and our players," Smith said. "It's something that our guys have worked very hard to finish the season the way we did and very fortunate that we were able to play in the second season as well."
Sparano led a similar football revival in Miami, guiding the Dolphins to the playoffs after they went 1-15 last season. But Smith received 23½ votes and Sparano 22½ from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL.
Tennessee's Jeff Fisher received three votes and New England's Bill Belichick received one vote.
The Falcons lost in the wild card round of the NFC playoffs 30-24 to Arizona on Saturday.
Smith had the Falcons in the hunt for the NFC South title until the final seconds of last game of the regular season.
Smith helped to lead the turnaround after collaborating with general manager Thomas Dimitroff to rebuild the roster.
Several former top players were released and key free agents, like running back Michael Turner, were added.
The Falcons then turned their efforts to the draft. Smith and his staff relied heavily on rookies.
Matt Ryan, the No. 3 player selected in the 2008 NFL draft, played well beyond his years. The Falcons also relied on tackle Sam Baker, middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, defensive back Chevis Jackson, wide receiver Harry Douglas and defensive end Kroy Biermann.
Smith credits his coaching staff with helping to manage all of the change and getting Ryan and the rest of the rookies ready to compete in the NFL."
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