Smith steps down for health reasons

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Homer Smith

Smith, 66, helped guide a Wildcat offense that averaged 402 yards a game last season and is a finalist for an award honoring the nation's top assistant football coach.

Tomey called Smith's retirement a blow to the program, but one which they should recover from quickly.

"As I've said, you always have to be prepared for people to move on," he said. "What's tragic is that it is a health thing. But, his effect on the program will be long term because what he brought to us was a very distinct method of football."

Tomey said Smith told him recent test results prompted doctors to encourage him to adopt a lifestyle that would allow him to more properly monitor his diabetic condition.

Smith has been coaching since 1958, when he became a freshman coach at Stanford.

Tomey said Dino Babers, 36, will take over as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He coached the running backs last season and the wide receivers in 1996.

"Dino's got a tremendous background," Tomey said. "He started as a graduate assistant at Arizona State with their Rose Bowl team (in 1987). He has coached in a lot of good programs and worked with a lot of outstanding coaches."

The players were notified yesterday morning.

"I suspect they hate to lose coach Smith," Tomey said. "But they realize (Babers) is very well qualified."

Pete Alamar, 37, will return to offense and coach tight ends after one season of coaching linebackers and specials teams.

He replaces Marc Lunsford, who became the school's director of football operations last week.

Tomey said two remaining spots on his staff - running backs and linebackers coaches - will be filled soon.