Beavers Coach Shevin Smith Jr. Shares Insights from Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coaching Program

In 2023, just as Shevin Smith Jr. was embarking on his coaching career, he took the time to pen a heartfelt letter to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This was not a brief email or a text message; it was a traditional letter that he mailed. His connection to the Bucs is personal—his father, Shevin Smith Sr., played as a safety for the team from 1998 to 1999. Smith Jr. sought simple guidance on coaching, expecting little in return.

To his surprise, an assistant to head coach Todd Bowles invited him to observe practice at the Bucs’ facilities. Overjoyed, Smith quickly arranged a flight from Lincoln, Nebraska, where he had recently taken on a role as a graduate assistant for the Cornhuskers. However, he encountered a hiccup—“I missed my flight,” Smith recalled. “I got the dates mixed up. So I drove six hours in the middle of the night from Lincoln to Denver to catch a flight (to Tampa) and go make it to the practice.” Despite the chaotic journey, he arrived in time to soak in the experience and engage with the Buccaneers’ coaching staff.

During his visit, Smith learned about a new initiative: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers National Coaching Academy, aimed at nurturing aspiring coaches through hands-on experience during minicamp. After accumulating three years of coaching experience, he was thrilled to be selected as one of 25 participants for the academy last month, joining coaches from various leagues, including the Canadian Football League and the NFL Academy in Europe. “It’s crazy with all the different accents,” he remarked, noting how global the sport has become.

Throughout the week, Smith had the opportunity to interact with both veteran and rookie players, as well as listen to inspiring talks from former coaches and players. Notably, he spoke with Tony Dungy, who had coached his father. Dungy’s calm demeanor left a lasting impression on Smith, particularly his insight that “there isn’t one mold for a head coach.” He emphasized that effective coaching comes from genuinely caring for players, a message that resonated deeply with Smith, who identified with Dungy’s more understated coaching style.

Smith also gained invaluable hands-on experience at the camp, participating in drills with Buccaneers veterans like Chris Godwin and Baker Mayfield before working with rookies. He found this structure beneficial, as it boosted his confidence while coaching less experienced players. “The NFL guys are very self-governing,” he explained. “The vets are like, ‘Hey, I’m supposed to do this,’ while the rookies don’t always know that.” This experience solidified his belief that a successful coaching approach is rooted in authenticity and understanding each player's unique needs.