A Veritable
Who’s Who

by Bernie Fratto
September 2004
 

“Who’s John Osborne?” was the question, but the answer spawned what has been one of the more accomplished coaching and teaching careers in the history of the MSHAA.

Meet Bob Smith, Head Coach Boys Track Coach, and Boys Cross Country Coach at Novi High School… As he enters his 25th year in coaching, his resume includes State Championships in Cross Country in 1998 and 1999. The Novi Wildcats, under his tutelage, were also runners-up in 2000, 2001, 3rd in the State in 2002, and 7th in the State in 2003. Not bad when you consider the fact there are over 700 High Schools in the State of Michigan.

And when you consider the Novi Track team features a total of 17 athletes on their entire roster in 1980, the first season under Coach Smith, you start to get the picture. Now, the Track team features a roster that exceeds well over 100.

As the Boys Track coach, his accolades for that sport are also numerous. But, his humility prevails. "I have very little to do with their ultimate success, I give the team all the credit," he stated. "It’s all about choices, I teach them to make the correct choices, and after that it’s up to them." But, Coach Smith has gone a long way in helping to develop tradition. A winning tradition is something that doesn’t happen automatically.

A Michigan native, he graduated from South Lyon High School, and then matriculated at Alma College, earning degrees in Business and Physical Education. While at South Lyon, he counts longtime Novi Coach Dave Hartman as one of his classmates. After graduating from Alma College, he earned his teaching certificate, but immediately after college he went to work for Federal Mogul.

But fate intervened one day during an innocent conversation with Bruce Straight, his High School Track Coach. Knowing that coaching and teaching was in Smith’s blood, he simply said, “You should talk to John Osborne.” After inquiring and finding out who John Osborne was (at that time he was AD at Novi HS), he approached Coach “O” only to find out the only openings were in Business and Physical Education.

Upon learning that was the specific course of study undertaken by Bob Smith in college, the relationship was formed and Robert Smith officially joined the staff and faculty of Novi High School in September 1980.

Perhaps one the keys to Smith’s accomplishments is his adaptability and his finesse in communicating to student-athletes what it truly takes to be successful, and to be a champion. And although the message is relatively the same, the dynamic has changed tremendously since the 80’s.

“The school has grown, track has grown, and with over 100 people on the roster, it really limits the feasibility and opportunity to engage in one-on-one coaching,” Smith pointed out. This is a phenomenon that every program is faced with, and Smith’s adaptability has been the difference. “ I emphasize making the right decisions and taking ownership, and that means making mature decisions,” Smith stressed. Preparation is physically and mentally demanding, and on occasion it’s not unusual to hear kids complain. The response is simple: “You’re training the same way a State-Champion trains, and you’re preparing the same way our State Champions have.”

And, when the younger guys see the older guys training their hearts out, it not only rubs off in the most positive way, it solidifies that tradition that every program wants, but very few attain.

Add to that the great leadership Coach Smith encourages his seniors and Team Captains to provide, and the necessary ingredients of a winning formula begin to percolate. And it goes deeper than that.

Although Track and Field is a spring sport, and Cross Country is a fall sport, summer homework is a big factor in reaching one’s potential.

Coach Smith sets the tone and doesn’t sugarcoat the fact that a Champion will always have to make real sacrifices, but they will be worth it. And, among the proper choices he alludes to; proper diet, proper rest, nutritional awareness, and social responsibility are just some of the areas he believes are critical.

“The fact is, I am only with my team about 3 hours a day.” ”The other 21 hours, they are on their own,” Smith reminded. “The choices they make while on their own could be the difference between becoming a State Champion, or not.”

Smith’s cross country teams have competed quite successfully against the best the nation has to offer, including 2004 Olympians and fellow Michigander’s Dathan Ritzenhein, and Alan Webb.

Maybe someday Bob Smith will be featured in a Who’s Who for Nationwide High School Coaching legends.

But for now, if you really want to know who he is, just take a look at the teams he’s coached and the athletes he’s trained. Once you add up the body of work and the incredible achievements that go along with it, the image reflected in the mirror could only be one person.

Coach Bob Smith…