Latest news with #NolanSmith
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Duke legend, Memphis assistant in talks with HBCU per report
Former Duke University star and current Memphis assistant coach Nolan Smith is reportedly in discussions to become the next head coach at Tennessee State University. According to Jon Rothstein, the deal is not finalized, but both sides are working toward an agreement. If completed, the move would mark a major hire for the HBCU program, which lost Penny Collins to the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies earlier this summer. A Rising Coaching Resume Smith has steadily climbed the coaching ranks since retiring from professional basketball. He joined the Memphis staff in September 2024 after two seasons at Louisville under Kenny Payne. Before his time at Louisville, he spent six years at Duke University in multiple roles. These included director of basketball operations, player development, and assistant coach during the 2021–22 season. Decorated Playing Career at Duke As a player, Smith was one of the most decorated in Duke University history. He earned consensus first-team All-American honors and was named ACC Player of the Year in 2011. That season, he led the conference in scoring (20.6 points per game) and served as team captain. He also won MVP honors in the ACC Tournament. Smith played a key role in Duke's 2010 national championship run. He earned Most Outstanding Player honors in the NCAA South Regional and was named to the All-Final Four Team. Over his four-year college career, he scored 1,911 points, ranking 17th in Duke history. His teams went 121-22 overall, including an incredible 65-2 at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Potential New Chapter at an HBCU If hired, the position at Tennessee State would be Smith's first head coaching job. It would also represent a significant moment for the Nashville-based HBCU, which continues to seek national recognition. Smith brings not only high-level basketball experience but also a strong record of community involvement. He's been honored by Points of Light and The News & Observer for his work in social justice and cancer potential hire could signal a turning point for Tennessee State. The HBCU had success with the high profile hire of Eddie George who led the program to the FCS playoffs. The post Duke legend, Memphis assistant in talks with HBCU per report appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles Fans Tempted by T.J. Watt Trade Rumors but Reality Says Otherwise
Eagles Fans Tempted by T.J. Watt Trade Rumors but Reality Says Otherwise originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The rumor mill never stops churning in Philadelphia, and the latest whispers have Eagles fans salivating over the possibility of acquiring T.J. Watt from Pittsburgh. With the Steelers star reportedly unhappy about his contract situation, it's easy to get caught up in the fantasy of watching one of the NFL's most dominant pass rushers don midnight green. Advertisement But here's the cold, hard truth: trading Nolan Smith for T.J. Watt would be organizational malpractice of the highest order. Yes, Watt is a generational talent and future Hall of Famer. But the Eagles have something far more valuable – a 24-year-old pass rusher who's just scratching the surface of his potential. Smith's playoff breakout last season wasn't a fluke. It was a coming-out party for a player who showed up in the biggest moments when the lights were brightest. The financial mathematics alone should end any serious discussion about this trade. The Eagles are already staring down brutal contract decisions with Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and other young stars needing extensions. Adding Watt's market-resetting demands would force Philadelphia to choose between keeping their young defensive core together or paying one aging superstar. That's not a choice a smart organization should ever have to make. The age factor can't be ignored either. Watt will be 31 when the season starts, while Smith is entering what should be the prime years of his career. The Eagles would be trading away eight years of elite production for maybe three or four years of declining performance. That's not team building – that's roster destruction disguised as an upgrade. Advertisement What makes this potential trade even more puzzling is how unnecessary it would be. The Eagles don't need a superstar acquisition to win another Super Bowl. They've already assembled one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. Adding Watt wouldn't transform them from pretenders to contenders – it would just make an already great team slightly better while mortgaging their future. The real beauty of Smith's situation is his trajectory. Everything about his development suggests he's just getting started. His athleticism is off the charts, his work ethic is unquestioned, and his football IQ continues to grow. The Eagles have invested significant time and resources into his development, and they're finally starting to see the dividends. Championship organizations understand the difference between short-term gratification and long-term success. The Patriots didn't win six Super Bowls by constantly trading away young talent for aging stars. Great teams identify young talent, develop it properly, and then build around it for sustained success. Nolan Smith may not have T.J. Watt's resume yet, but he has something equally valuable: unlimited potential and the drive to reach it. The Eagles would be wise to hold onto that combination and see where it takes them. Advertisement Related: Eagles Trade Question on T.J. Watt Addressed by Schefter Related: Saquon Turns to Tiger in Quest for NFL History This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles' Defensive Weakness Offers Trade Answers on T.J. Watt and Trey Hendrickson
Eagles' Defensive Weakness Offers Trade Answers on T.J. Watt and Trey Hendrickson originally appeared on Athlon Sports. At the start of the offseason, it took just a couple of weeks for the Philadelphia Eagles to lose several key edge rushers from their Super Bowl roster. Advertisement Bryce Huff, Brandon Graham, and Josh Sweat have all left the organization for various reasons. Their departures have raised significant concerns for the team's top-ranked defense. But that doesn't mean Philadelphia's weakness will be at edge rusher this year. On paper - and amid trade speculation regarding big-name NFL contract holdouts T.J. Watt in Pittsburgh and Trey Hendrickson in Cincinnati - hey have plenty of stars to make up for some of their losses. Philadelphia at this time has a young and energetic group, including third-year edge rusher Nolan Smith, second-year phenom Jalyx Hunt, and their collection of free agent pickups like Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari. Advertisement In the case of Smith and Hunt, their development took a massive turn for the better during their playoff run last season. The Georgia product recorded four sacks during Philadelphia's run to the title. Hunt, meanwhile, recorded 1.5 sacks, including a half-sack in Super Bowl LIX. If both Hunt and Smith can find a way to build on their playoff success, the Eagles' biggest perceived question mark or "weakness'' may not be as weak as originally thought. Add in Uche and Ojulari, two veterans with a penchant for rushing the passer, and the Eagles' defensive line could be just as good as they were last season. It's customary with any team for a position group that lost three quality veterans in free agency to take a step back. Advertisement But Philadelphia has developed a reputation for, well ... development. A superstar addition (at a price tag of over $30 million APY) would be appealing. But ... The Super Bowl champs generally seem equipped to move past their offseason losses and now likely believe they have the next-gen players on the roster with the ability to push for a repeat. Related: Eagles First-Round Rookie Passes Major Off-Field Test Related: Eagles Pro Bowler Speaks Out on Impressive 'Draft Steal' Rookie This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles' Nolan Smith Offers 2025 Prediction for Broncos' Bo Nix
Eagles' Nolan Smith Offers 2025 Prediction for Broncos' Bo Nix originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Heading into their second seasons in the NFL, the 2024 NFL Draft's crop of starting quarterbacks are looking to build further on their first-year foundations. Advertisement Two of these signal callers – the Washington Commanders' Jayden Daniels, the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year, and the New England Patriots' Drake Maye – already have Pro Bowl selections on their respective résumés. The Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams and the Atlanta Falcons' Michael Penix Jr. will spearhead up-and-coming squads, while the Minnesota Vikings' J.J. McCarthy will make his professional football debut after missing all of 2024 with a torn meniscus. And then, there's the Denver Broncos' Bo Nix, a player who, like Daniels, led his team to the postseason in his debut year at the helm. The Broncos made the playoffs for the first time since 2015 last year after a 10-7 record vaulted them into the AFC Wild Card round. All six quarterbacks could either experience the dreaded "sophomore slump" and take a step backwards, or a "sophomore jump," cementing their status as franchise quarterbacks in the years to come. On Tuesday's edition of "Good Morning Football," Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith offered his take on why Nix will land in the latter camp in 2025. Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile Chenoy-Imagn Images "He's a good quarterback, but also, I think he's just getting his feet wet in the league," Smith said. "You've seen him make some big down-the-field throws. We know he has a big arm. People underestimate his legs. He can scramble, he can run around, he can do a lot of different things. But, I say, when he throws the deep ball, he has the perfect accuracy, perfect throws. And he puts it right in the breadbasket, as we say in the South." Advertisement Smith playfully admitted that some SEC bias may have factored into his decision – Smith went to Georgia, while Nix went to Auburn. But he doubled down on his statement, predicting that more good will come for Nix this upcoming season. "I like him to make that next 'sophomore jump' just because I know he can do it, Smith said. "I know his feet and his arms are going to work together when his feet are settled in Denver." Nix started all 17 of the Broncos' regular-season games in 2025, completing 66.3% of his pass attempts (376-567) for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also gained 430 rushing yards and found the end zone four more times on 92 carries. Related: Broncos' Fan Favorite Discusses Challenge of Surpassing Division Rival Chiefs This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
25-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nolan Smith reveals the one Eagles opponent in 2025 he has his eyes on
One of the Eagles' 2025 opponents has Nolan Smith's full attention. There is a decided difference between being the 'hunters' and the 'hunted'. No one knows this better than the Philadelphia Eagles. Last season, they were the former. You remember those pretty T-shirts during the playoff run. This time, however, the vibe is different. During the 2025-26 NFL season, they play the role of the latter. February brought a win in football's biggest game and a victory parade. The display case now houses two Vince Lombardi Trophies. Four months later, it's business as usual. Nick Sirianni's most fantastic speech, one about a flower and its roots, has been replaced with one about perfume and poison. What can we say? There's only one Nick Sirianni! The important thing is that Coach made his point. Hunters... Hunted... The road gets tougher. Philadelphia gets everyone's best shot now. The veterans know it. So do the youngsters. One of the new voices of leadership has already circled one of the opponents the Birds will tackle during the coming season. Nolan Smith sets his sights on the Washington Commanders. The feuds in the NFC East have gone on longer than any of us have been alive. They'll carry on long after we pass on. One of them has been reinvigorated by the emergence of two of the NFC's legitimate contenders. The Eagles and Washington Commanders split their regular-season series before meeting in the most recent NFC Championship Game. Everyone in the Delaware Valley knows how that one turned out. Washington reloaded. So did Philadelphia. The expectation is that the race for the NFC East's crown features two teams. No one has to tell Nolan Smith that. During a recent appearance on NFL Network's Good Morning Football, he respectfully gave the Commanders their flowers but also made sure he reminded everyone that roots run deep and are stronger than ever. Give this one a listen. Flowers... Roots... From hunters to being the hunted... Philadelphia won't forget about its longstanding grudges with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. Still, for the first time in a long time, their most significant threat to divisional superiority is the team representing our great nation's capital.
