Erickson, Smith Meet On Opposite Sidelines
9/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 1, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Dennis Erickson and John L. Smith have won 50 games on the same football staffs.
On Saturday, Erickson's Idaho Vandals would love just one victory over Smith's Michigan State Spartans.
"Are we the underdog?" Erickson said of his return to coaching after a year away from the game. "I'd say that's an understatement. We're young defensively and not very big."
Though Erickson inherited the remains of a 2-9 team and a program with six straight losing seasons, Smith expects all kinds of tricks from his greatest coaching influence and closest confidante.
"He has been crying and singing the blues," Smith said. "He's trying to set me up. He's really good on the first tee box, so this is his tee-box negotiation. He thinks I'm going to fall for his line, `We don't have this, and we don't have that.' ... Baloney! They're going to line up and get after it."
Erickson hired Smith as his defensive coordinator and assistant head coach in their first stop at Idaho (1982-85), then took him to Wyoming (1986) and Washington State (1987-88).
When Erickson moved to Miami in 1989 and began a 64-8 run with two national titles in six seasons, Smith returned to Idaho for his first head coaching opportunity.
Seventeen years and 128 wins later, Smith is tied for 13th place among active Division I coaches in triumphs.
Immediately ahead of him in 12th place? Erickson with 145 victories, not counting the 40 he won with Seattle and San Francisco in six NFL seasons.
Since 1989, Erickson's record in the college and pro game is 135-81 for .625 success. Over the same span, Smith's teams are 128-78, .621.
"I want John L. to win every game he plays -- except this one," Erickson said before beginning his second stint with the Vandals. "We talked this summer about his program and this program and what he needs to do to get Michigan State back. He has a great personality and a great football mind."
Their mutual admiration society is in its 25th year. But Smith wasn't as shocked as some people when Erickson answered the call to come home to Moscow, Idaho.
"He brings a renewed excitement, and they needed that shot in the arm there," Smith said. "It might be where he has the most fun. It's not like Dennis needs any money. And I'm not surprised he took the job. His first comment was, `Marilyn is going to kill me if I don't get out of the house. And I can only play so much golf.'"
Erickson was one of the first coaches to spot the potential of Michigan State senior quarterback Drew Stanton.
Stanton started his high school career in Oregon when Erickson was resurrecting the Oregon State program. Once he moved to Michigan, Stanton decided to become a Spartan.
It looked as if Stanton would lead a Michigan State renaissance last year, when a 4-0 start had the Spartans just out of the Top 10. But kicking woes, defensive breakdowns and injuries to the wrong people meant a disappointing 5-6 finish.
"I'm pretty confident right now, I really am," Smith said. "If we can execute our assignments, we'll be fine. But I know Dennis is going to make some adjustments and throw some stuff at us that's going to test us."
Just as Erickson did each day in their seven years of staff meetings.
