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Date: 10/4/2023
WESTFIELD — Fran Smith has worn a lot of hats over the years.
He has had a successful career in sales management, spearheaded the turnaround of fledgling newspapers around the globe, and is a husband and father.
And while his family is the most important part of his life, the Westfield resident’s favorite hat is a football helmet.
Smith, Westfield High School’s football defensive coach, celebrated his 500th game on Sept. 30 surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren, as well as his other kids — the ones he has coached for 49 years.
“I started coaching football in 1974 at Sacred Heart in Waterbury, Connecticut,” Smith recalled. “I was there for 12 years, then I went to Holyoke High School for 20 years.”
Smith then “retired” from coaching. Briefly.
“I retired for a week, then someone I had coached with went to Agawam High and asked me to join him,” said Smith. “So I did that for a few years, then went back to Holyoke, then retired. Again.”
Smith thought that retirement might stick, until Rob Parent called him.
“Rob became the head coach at Westfield High and he asked if I would coach with him, so I did,” said Smith.
That was 2016 and Smith remains the Bombers’ defensive coach — still working with Parent — today, with no plans to retire anytime soon.
“I just love football,” he said. “I love to be with the kids.”
Parent said the feeling is mutual.
“The players love him,” said Parent. “His number one rule is to have fun. He brings that energy every day and everyone feeds off that. There’s no question Coach Smith brings passion and energy to every practice, every game and every meeting. He has this energy, but he also brings a calmness that the players really respond to.”
Parent said Smith is an optimist, which Smith said builds confidence, and confident players play well and win games. But, added Smith, it’s not always about getting that W.
“We just have fun,” he said. “I’ve coached 500 games, but I couldn’t tell you what my wins and losses are. It’s not about that, but we do like to win.”
Smith spends a lot of time prepping players to win. Sunday morning, the day after he was recognized on the field for his 500th game — which was a win — he was already reviewing film of their next opponent.
Parent, who called Smith “an unbelievable guy,” said that’s another reason why Smith is a good coach.
“He has seen almost every element of football,” said Parent. “He will have this legacy in coaching.”
Smith said he has seen a lot in nearly 50 years of coaching. There are not many plays he hasn’t seen or created, but it’s still exciting.
“I think it’s the teamwork that I love,” he said. “And the strategy. There are 11 people out there — it’s a bit of a chess game. [Saturday] night, the defensive game was complicated, but each player has their own part and they do what they are responsible for, and it works.”
Smith said he has coached players who went on to play pro and holds a special place in his heart for the Holyoke High 1995 Purple Knights, but the current WHS team is already in his heart just a few games into the season.
“This team is really special,” Smith said. “Definitely in my all-time top five.”
Smith said he tries to set a good example for the players beyond the game.
“We are an extension of what they are doing in school,” he said. “I know Rob checks on their attendance and academics — we want them to succeed.”
According to Parent — and likely his players and their families — Smith is the good example he strives to be, and will continue to be, until he retires. Again.