photo by: Kim North
Bridgeport High School named a new head football coach on Wednesday afternoon. Curt Smelley, a 2011 graduate of BHS, was approved during a board of education meeting. Pictured are, front row, from left, Emily Smelley holding daughters Savannah, left, and Harlee, right, Curt Smelley and daughter, Briella. Back row, from left, are Dylan Nowakowski, Todd Poe, Bailey Sieber, Chris Smelley, Dallas Fields, Jaki Threet and Dontez White.
BRIDGEPORT – One of the best defensive players to ever don a Bridgeport football uniform will be leading his alma mater next fall.
Wednesday afternoon, Curt Smelley was named head football coach for the Bulldogs, 15 years after he and his teammates went 12-1, losing to rival Shadyside in the Ohio Division VI, Region 23 finals at Red Devil Stadium in St. Clairsville.
The hiring of Smelley came during a board of education meeting, with the vote being unanimous at 5-0.
“It’s absolutely the best thing that has ever happened to me at Bridgeport,” Smelley said. “Even though as a player I did some great things, impacting young guys is going to be more fulfilling.”
During his playing career at Bridgeport, the Bulldogs went 34-12 and made the playoffs three times under then-head coach Rudy Vavrock.
“I don’t think back then that I ever thought about being a coach. I was always too focused on just being a player, playing for my teammates and working hard,” Smelley said. “I had a great coach who I always looked up to and aspired to be like him, so I think this position is fitting.”
After graduation, Smelley and his twin brother, Chris, attended West Liberty University for a year before transferring to West Virginia University where they both received their degrees.
“When I got back from college and was around it (football) a bit, I just got the itch. My younger brother, Cole, was on the staff at the time and then-head coach Fred Ray actually gave me the opportunity,” Smelley said. “I wasn’t really thinking about being a coach, but I just wanted to be around the kids again. Coach Yahn then gave me another opportunity.”
Smelley has been on the Bridgeport staff for four years, serving as defensive coordinator under Yahn the last two. Yahn’s contract was not renewed.
“Realistically, we need to find out who we are. We need to start from the ground and keep on building,” he said of his goals. “We need to have a mindset that we can win. It’s been a while since we’ve had a winning season. We want to change that mindset by working hard and doing the things I learned when I was here.
“It’s going to be a process, though,” he added. “We can’t focus on the end result. It’s going to be hard to get these guys to buy in just because it’s been a while since we’ve won, but that’s not a negative thing. We can create a vision here. We’ve been here.”
He said being in the program now for four years, the transition should be a smooth one.
“I’ve been so pleased with the welcome that I’ve received as I’m taking this position,” he continued. “Everyone’s happy and when I was here there was a spark and I can feel that coming back again. I think we can make it work.”
Bridgeport High School Principal Jack Fisher said there’s a time when you know, you know.
“That’s the way it was with Curt. He was an outstanding student-athlete here who led by character and everything you’d want. His family is here and he’s put in a ton of work for our district and our kids. He has all that right perspective and right goals in mind.”
Bridgeport Superintendent of Schools Brent Ripley said, “We had two applications from basically within the district. We wanted to keep some consistency for the boys and the program, and when you think about Curt Smelley, years ago they invested in Bridgeport and they stayed here when they could’ve gone elsewhere.
“Bridgeport had some phenomenal teams during Curt’s day. He’s a great fit for our program and a super role model for kids,” Ripley added. “He’s a really positive guy and has put in a ton of work. We think it’s his time and he’s going to do great things here.
“Both of the interviews that we conducted were good, but once we heard what Curt had to say, we didn’t want to go outside the district,” Ripley continued. “He’s got a plan of action and will hit the ground running tomorrow when he meets with the team.
“Great things are ahead for our football team and the school district.”
Smelley said he will bleed black-and-blue forever.
He was a first team all-Ohio linebacker as a senior.
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