Fired NFL coach's mega-rich father who founded FedEx and is worth more than $5b
Arthur Smith was fired by the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night after a disappointing season ended with a dismal defeat to rivals the New Orleans Saints, but the former head coach doesn't have to worry about money thanks to his dad's hugely successful business career.
Smith's father, Frederick Smith, is the founder and executive chairman of FedEx, the international shipping and courier firm, with a whopping net worth of $5.4billion (£4.2b). He created FedEx in 1971 and it has since become a global powerhouse. And in 2003, Frederick bought a 40 per cent share in the Washington Commanders, which he sold in 2021.
His son's coaching journey started as a graduate assistant at North Carolina – his alma mater – in 2006, before landing a role with the Washington franchise in 2007. But he knew his connection to his father – who still owns the naming rights to FedEx Field, the team's stadium – could potentially hinder his own path.
"We all have connections that help you, but with my dad's involvement up there, and playing in FedEx Field, I just felt like when you're the quality control, it's fine," Smith told ESPN. "You're at the entry level, and they're hard jobs to get and I was lucky to be in that, but to legitimately move up I knew I had to get away. I just felt after two years I'd kind of run my course in Washington, and I was very aware of that."
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In 2010, Arthur moved to Ole Miss and then joined the Tennessee Titans a year later, starting as a control coach. His work saw him climb the ladder, finally becoming offensive coordinator in 2019 and eventually earned him a shot as head coach of the Falcons.
But he oversaw three successive 7-10 seasons in Georgia, failing to record a single playoff appearance and his tenure came to an end following Sunday's 48-17 beatdown at the hands of the Saints. The game ended in a way he will quickly want to forget, losing his cool after Jamaal Williams scored a touchdown in the last minute off an interception by backup QB Logan Woodside.
Arthur Smith blasted Saints head coach Dennis Allen for the unnecessary touchdown when they could have knelt out the clock. (CBS)New Orleans had a chance to end the game by kneeling out the clock with the win already secured after the interception but instead chose to hand it to running back Williams for his first touchdown for the year. Smith was left raging that the Saints had needlessly run up the score.
At the usual meet-up at midfield when the game ended, Smith's fiery exchange with Saints' coach Dennis Allen was picked up by the cameras as he appeared to say: "What the f***? Why the f*** did you do that? That's f****** bulls***."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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