(Press release on Giff Smith leaving Georgia Tech for a coaching job with the Buffalo Bills.)
ATLANTA – Giff Smith, who spent the past six seasons as an assistantfootball coach at Georgia Tech, has accepted a position as defensiveassistant with the Buffalo Bills.
Smith will be reunited with former Yellow Jacket head coach ChanGailey, who was recently named Buffalo’s head coach.
“Coaching in the NFL is something that I have always been interestedin,” Smith said. “When the situation arose, I sat down with myfamily, and with Coach (Paul) Johnson, and made the decision.
“Coach Johnson has been a great mentor in this situation. “I amvery thankful to Coach Johnson, (athletic director) Dan Radakovich andespecially the Georgia Tech fans. They have been outstanding.”
Smith coached the defensive line during his six-year tenure on TheFlats and added the title of recruiting coordinator in 2006. The YellowJackets, who appeared in a bowl game in each of his six seasons, rankedfirst nationally in sacks and second in tackles for loss in 2007.
Smith’s departure comes one week before National Signing Day (Feb.3).
“Georgia Tech is a special place,” Smith said. “You recruitintelligent kids who understand the value of a degree from Georgia Tech.I don’t see any disruption at all. I told each of the recruits that Italked to that they made the best decision by choosing Georgia Tech.
“You know that Coach Johnson is building something special here atGeorgia Tech,” Smith said, “which makes it even more difficult toleave.”
From 1999-2003, Smith was a member of Tulane’s coaching staff,holding multiple titles including Associate Head Coach in his last twoyears with the Green Wave. In 2002, the Green Wave posted an 8-5 record,earning a bowl bid in the Hawaii Bowl where the squad defeated Hawaii36-28
Smith spent three years (1996-98) at his alma-mater of Georgia Southernas the school’s secondary coach from 1997-98 after coaching the widereceivers in 1996. He helped guide the Eagles to a pair of SouthernConference titles in 1997 and 1998. In 1998, Georgia Southern advancedto the I-AA National Championship contest. At Georgia Southern, Smithworked for head coach Paul Johnson.
For two years (1994-95), Smith served as a graduate assistant atGeorgia.
Smith began his coaching career at Arkansas from 1991-93. In his firstyear with the school, the Razorbacks appeared in the Independence Bowl.
A native of Mableton (Ga.), Smith was inducted into the GeorgiaSouthern Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.
“We appreciate everything that Giff did for our program,” GeorgiaTech head coach Paul Johnson said. “We wish him the best of luck inBuffalo.”
