Alex Smith's unlikely comeback

In theory, Alex Smith should not have played football this season. The 24-year-old graduate assistant coach for Cortland State had not played a complete football game since 2006 and his body was breaking down. He had endured two ACL injuries had begun to pursue a career in coaching. But, when an opportunity presented itself for Smith to return to the gridiron, he jumped at the chance. Due to eligibility loopholes, Smith made the unlikely leap from coach to quarterback as SUNY-Cortland’s starting quarterback for the final six games of the 2009 season. Smith led the Red Dragons to a 4-2 record and got a second chance to recapture something that he thought was gone forever, the feeling of playing in a college football game.

“I knew every game he knew he was getting something back that he thought he had lost,” said Cortland head coach Dan MacNeil.

Smith’s journey as a Red Dragon began in the fall of 2004 where he saw immediate playing time as a freshman. Smith had successful freshman and sophomore seasons, guiding the Red Dragons to 5-4 and 7-3 records respectively. He was on his way to a successful junior year when he tore his ACL during the fifth game of the season. Smith rehabilitated his knee and returned to the field in 2007. However, in the first game of the season, Smith suffered the same injury.

“It was the exact same manner (as his first injury),” said MacNeil. “It was non-contact, no one hit him. He had to have surgery on his same knee.”

Smith elected not to return to the field in 2008. He stayed with the Red Dragons as a student volunteer coach, and began the transition to graduate assistant coach this past January. At the start of the 2009 season, Smith was officially the wide receivers coach.

Smith thought his playing days were behind him. But early in the season starting quarterback Dan Pitcher suffered a severe Achilles injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. This prompted Smith to look into seeking another year of eligibility.

The NCAA grants athletes a 10-semester period within which they can participate in varsity athletics for eight semesters. Smith applied to the NCAA seeking a rare 11th semester of eligibility.

“We had to battle the 10 semester rule,” Smith said. “We were wondering if I still had that semester from the medical hardship.”

Smith was soon notified that the NCAA had not counted his 2008 season, making him eligible to play.

“I was pumped,” said Smith.

MacNeil then had the task of informing the team that Coach Smith would now be No. 4 Alex Smith, quarterback.

“It was kind of neat,” MacNeil said. “I got to tell the team, ‘Ok, now Coach Smith is going to be practicing with us.”

Although it was an unusual situation, Smith said that the team was receptive to his comeback.

“I’m the same person as a coach as I am as a player,” he said. “I’m sure there were a couple players who thought it was weird, but a couple weeks into it, it was normal.”

Smith made an appearance in the Red Dragon’s 17-6 loss to Montclair State on Oct. 10 where he had a less than stellar performance. He was in for one series where he lost 15 yards on three rushes and separated his shoulder.

“I’m getting old,” Smith said with a laugh.

However, in that same game, Pitcher’s replacement, Hudson Woodward, sustained a season-ending shoulder injury which threw Smith into the starting role.

On Oct. 17, Smith started in the Red Dragon’s game against Western Connecticut State his first collegiate start since 2007. He led the Red Dragons to a 35-6 win, throwing for 51 yards and one touchdown.

“It felt like it used to feel,” Smith said. “It was still not exactly the same. I wasn’t 100 percent the way I used to play. But the fun factor felt the same, it was still a lot of fun.”

Although Smith was back on the field, it was a very different experience for him.
Before his knee injuries, Smith relied on his quickness and athleticism to maneuver around the field as an option quarterback. His surgeries had robbed him of that athleticism and had limited his mobility. This forced him to develop into a drop back quarterback who remained mainly in the pocket.

“I really wasn’t the same players I used to be. I mostly ran the option. I knew I wasn’t going to do that coming back. Basically I was going to be a pocket guy, just staying in the pocket and slinging it around.”

Smith’s experience as a coach also gave him added insight into the game.

“As a coach, he was studying the game of football,” said MacNeil. “When he got back out there he said the field looked a lot clearer to him. He could see what he needed to see because he had taught it.”

After his debut victory, Smith led the Red Dragons to three straight wins over William Patterson, the College of New Jersey and Brockport. The Red Dragons fell to Ithaca in the Cortaca Jug game and to St. John Fisher in the ECAC Division 3 Northwest Bowl. Smith ended his career tied for the school’s career touchdown passes record with 48.

“ I’m definitely happy for him,” said senior wide receiver Eric Hajnos. “He finally gets to move on with his coaching career after leaving his playing career short.”

According to MacNeil, Smith’s contributions to the program transcend statistics.
“He was a warrior,” MacNeil said. “I’m not the only one that saw all that he went through. His teammates saw it and understood that you really want to value the moment and cherish it because it won’t be there forever and you don’t know when it can be lost.”

Smith has returned to his coaching role with the Red Dragons and is currently traveling around New York state recruiting. However he is thankful for his experience and would do it again if given the opportunity.

“Oh yeah, all day, no question,” Smith said. “All these coaches, they stay around the game because of the competition, and if they had the opportunity to play again they would. Yeah, I’d do it again.”