Dr Kurt Smeby is one of the stalwarts of the British and Irish game having been involved in the game since 1985 in the British Isles. As Head Coach of numerous top flight clubs in England, Dr Smeby moved to Ireland in 1994 to coach their national team and head up their national programme. With other projects available, he moved back to England and became Assistant Coach at Force USA (http://www.eteamz.com/forceusafootball/), which is a team in Great Britain comprised of American servicemen and Civilians in the United Kingdom, who play teams from the British Senior League (BSL) during their pre-season. The Force also aspires to play other international sides.

His resume reads as follows:

1985 Northampton Stormbringers, defensive co-ordinator
1986 Northampton Stormbringers, head coach (third in coach of the year voting)
1987 Luton Flyers (consultant coach, secondary reads on headphones)
Leicester Huntsmen (head coach) Coach of the year award
1988  Stoke Spitfire (head coach)  first professional coach in Britain. 
1988  Back to Leicester Huntsman.  head coach  Conference champions.
1989  London Lasers, head coach. 
1990  Milton Keynes Pioneers.  head coach
1991  Leicester Huntsman.  head coach. 
1992  Northants Storm.  head coach, GM. 
1993  Northants Storm.  GM, co-owner (with Don Markham)
1994  Northants Storm.  GM, co-owner (with Don Markham)
1994-2001  Ireland National team, head coach and National programme director
1996  Team USA Force, head coach
1999  England, assistant head coach (speciality reading and attacking covers)

Other honours:

AFA Minor Pro football Hall-of-Fame inductee, class of 1987
127-50 total win loss record.
NDMA Director for two years

Founder and President of Britain's first coaching organisation, the BFCA from 1986-1991.  Wrote and administered BFCA's first coaching education programme (still recognised by the AFCA).

Interview conducted April 2004

WHAT WAS YOUR BACKGROUND TO GETTING INTO BRITISH AMERICAN FOOTBALL AND HOW DID YOU JOIN YOUR FIRST BRITBALL CLUB?

I had dabbled in coaching, mainly linebackers, for about five years using junior varsity players and youth players in Las Vegas.  I had no intention into going into coaching when I first moved to England in 1984 but a friend, Mark Woodham, wanted to take me along to a team in our area called the Northampton Stormbringers.

I was finally convinced to come to a practice and was appalled by the wasteful and irrelevant things they were occupying their limited practice time with.  And most of the skills were being taught incorrectly.  I went to a game later that week and was similarly surprised at the errors and just poor execution.  So I wrote a seven page letter to the Head Coach, Steve Jones, with suggestions and diagrams which I felt would improve the team almost immediately.

Steve Jones recognised my knowledge and used some of it the following week.  More importantly, he asked me to become defensive co-ordinator.  I worked hard to eliminate the stupid mistakes and concentrate on meaningful practices for the remainder of the year and the Stormbringers did improve although they barely missed the play-offs.  The following year Steve Jones resigned and I was promoted to Head Coach, where I set about turning the club around.

YOU HAVE QUITE AN AFFILIATION WITH THE NORTHANTS STORM - WHAT WAS YOUR BEST SPELL WITH THEM?

1985 was the year the Stormbringers were just getting used to this over-confident, demanding and sometimes over-dramatic coach named Smeby.  In 1986, things developed so well that I had pretty much 100% support of players, fans and management.  We started videoing practices and breaking down errors from game films and the whole team just transformed into one of the major powers.  This was a highly successful spell which ended in a close 20-12 loss to Streatham in the league semi-finals.  I received a few votes for coach of the year and felt on top of the world.

WERE YOU INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING DON MARKHAM OVER TO COACH?

No.  I had very little to do with Markham's decision to coach Northampton.  His money helped in his success as much as his coaching ability.  I understand he also had a strong offer from Brighton.  A few people asked for my opinion of Markham when he first expressed interest in Northampton and I was very, very positively inclined.  Today, Markham and I do not talk.  That's a shame as he later, down the line, became a good friend.

HOW DID YOU BECOME GM OF THE STORM?

I always felt GMs, who had the power to fire and hire coaches, were more powerful than coaches.  They aren't!  But after a season where I only managed a mediocre 3-7 record, I had enough shares which I held in the Storm to declare myself GM.  And I actually sacked myself as a head coach.

I did not like GMing the team.  I could easily spend more money than I could raise and we had some training and game venue issues.  I was forced to use tactics just to survive which to this day I would not want to repeat again.  But the choice was either to use these creative financial plans or the club would have folded due to lack of money.

YOU REALLY CHOPPED AND CHANGED CLUBS BETWEEN 1987 AND 1991.  WHY
WAS THAT?

It's called commitment and serious dedication to training and I set up gruelling programmes in these organisations.  Some thrived on it and really wanted to be winners and responded.  Other teams became cry-babies and could or wound not follow my demanding leadership regimes.  It got a little frustrating sifting through those who say they wanted to establish winning programmes and those who would actually sacrifice something to achieve it.

STOKE SPITFIRES MADE YOU THE FIRST PROFESSIONAL COACH IN THE UK IN 1988.  HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT AND WHY DID YOU PART COMPANY SO SOON?

The offer was just made and I accepted.  It was the kind of money that made a difference; not just petrol expenses.  So it seemed the logical step up I had been looking for.

I approached the Spitfires with a gruelling training and management routine which did not suit everyone.  Some thought it was great while others felt they could not cope.  The entire basis of the professional appointment was their sponsorship deal with a carpeting firm.  When that collapsed, so did the professional arrangement.

I regret that I actually went to court for compensation.  If I could do it over, I would have volunteered to continue for free considering their predicament.

TELL US ABOUT THE LONDON LASERS AND WHAT HAPPENED THAT SEASON?

I coached the Lasers, again under professional contract, right up until the end of the season when we had made the play-offs.  This time my fiery personality got me into trouble as I got into a blazing sideline row with a director of the club, Tony Richards, and got sacked.  However, one of the silver linings of this appointment was that I met and got to work with a brilliant young coach in Jerry Mannagh.

WITH NO INTERNET OR E-MAIL, HOW DIFFICULT WAS IT TO ORGANISE YOUR TEAM, FIXTURES, ETC?

I used the telephone and fax machine!

IN YOUR VIEW WHY DID SOME TEAMS JOIN THE BUDWEISER LEAGUE IN 1986?

They felt they could get a better financial deal and more exposure, including possible TV exposure.  Many also blindly followed wherever the London Ravens went.  We figured that they would manage to get the best deal as they were by far the strongest and best team.  We also felt Budweiser was rich enough to really do some fantastic things to promote the game.

HOW DID YOU FOUND AND WITH WHO ELSE DID YOU ESTABLISH THE BFCA?

I founded the first coaching association with Rodger Goodgroves in 1986.  We rode a crest of publicity from "First Down" and approached all the coaches individually by telephone.  We set it up with the best of intentions but it turned a little political.  I myself tried to introduce mandatory coaches contracts and some salary arbitration and even a little "union" talk.  This did not go down well with everyone.  But in the end the BFCA evolved into something more innocuous.

HOW DID YOU BECOME A DIRECTOR OF THE NDMA?

Two persons from each league were allowed to participate in the NDMA board of management.  Dave Wakefield and I were chosen from Northants Storm.  These guys were hard to deal with.  They would agree to certain actions before a meeting and then change their allegiances during the meeting.  I could never trust a one of them.

YOU MUST BE VERY PROUD OF BEING INDUCTED INTO THE MINOR PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME IN 1987.

Of course.  It is an honour that all the tampering in the world by British critics cannot change.  I was recognised and honoured by the Americans for my coaching and organisational ability and can always look back upon it when I think I need a morale boost.

YOU COACHED AT MANY CLUBS, WHAT WAS YOUR MOST ENJOYABLE CLUB TO COACH?

The Irish National team closely followed by the Leicester Huntsmen.  Both were very coachable, showed me a high degree of respect, and were constantly striving to get better.These were some of the happiest, most fulfilling days in my coaching career.

WHAT WAS THE MOST SATISFYING WIN IN YOUR CAREER?

Northampton Stormbringers 13, Rockingham Rebels 0.   1986

Other notables:  Ireland 45, NW All-Stars 0 (wearing GB LIONS shirts), Ireland 40, Wales 20.  both 1987

All games were against heated rivals and in must-win situations to keep credibility to the programmes.  My two Liberty Cup victories over England, 21-0 and 7-2 also rank as exciting victories.

WHY DID YOU LEAVE THE UK AND COACH IN IRELAND IN 1994?

I was approached by IAFA to lead their national programme.  I had been using UK based teams to beat Irish sides for a few years and I think they were anxious to have me on their side.  Stuart Smith was critical in bringing me into the Irish League.  Coaching In Ireland was the best move I ever made in this sport.  It was a real honour and pleasure and I loved building a programme where everyone wanted to win and succeed as much as I did.

WHAT WERE THE BEST ASPECTS OF YOUR TIME IN IRELAND?  HOW DID THE NATIONAL PROGRAMME DEVELOP THEIR GAME?

The Irish work hard and are dedicated.  They listen to coaching and instruction and treat each other with respect.  I felt every effort I made was appreciated and always felt the Irish would give their full effort on the field.  There were never any player revolts or grumblings.  They were totally supportive and committed to my programme.

In building the team, I made the decision to use players who might live outside Ireland but have the required Irish background.  That was the only decision that ever seemed to cause any controversy.  But I am a coach that likes to win and I would have drafted in the entire roster of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, had it been possible.

But we also worked with the youth and were constantly emphasising fundamental skills with the young players of Ireland.  So we had our eyes out for the future too.

WERE YOU EVER KEEN TO COACH THE GB LIONS?  DID YOU APPLY TO COACH THEM?

I always longed to be a part of the GB Lions but was always passed over.  Although I never officially applied, I had agreed to be a part of the organisation on several occasions only to be what I can only assume to be a political casualty.  But it is something I would really want to do.  Is there still time??

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT IN THE BRITISH GAME AND IN THE IRISH GAME?

I feel I was instrumental in setting up the Four Nations tournament and giving many players the chance to play for their countries.  My work currently with USA Force is also ground-breaking and of tremendous value to britball.  Significantly, you will also find some of the leading coaches in britball today were actually students of mine years ago when I wrote and administered the very first BFCA coaching courses. 

In Ireland, I believe a level of professionalism and exposure never seen before was introduced when I was National team head coach.  I know they are building on that now and have a sophisticated programme in place.  But these were early days and it set the stage for current successes.

WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST REGRETS IN THE GAME?

First, my approach was always very demanding and sometimes aggressive so I didn't wind up with as many friends as I had hoped at the twilight of my coaching career.  I could have used more allies!  Secondly, I regret not beating the O's or team Scotland.  I was there when Northants beat the O's 20-0 but it was Markham's coup and not mine.  My biggest regret is that I didn't get a chance to coach alongside top college coaches or NFL-E coaches or even work alongside some of the better BSL coaches (which instead of working with, I was always going head to head with).

DO YOU THINK THE INFLUX OF AMERICAN QBs HELPED THE BRITISH PLAYERS?  IT CERTAINLY HINDERED THE DEVELOPMENT OF BRITISH QBS!

We needed top US players to give the game the excitement it needed to draw in fans.  I am afraid the British QBs at that point in our development were not going to excite many crowds or bring in many spectators.  They were much better off learning and practising with great American talent.  If you get the right Americans, their abilities will rub off.  Even today, I do not see a great deal of top British QBs out there.  You just have to start training so much earlier if you are going to be a QB, not at 15 or 16.

WHY DID YOU LEAVE IRELAND IN 2000?

Some of my most aggressive critics took over the Irish league in 2000 and gleefully sacked me.  They had been waiting for their chance and took it.  It was a sad and disappointing end to a career's work and I am still somewhat bitter over the way it was done.  Many players I had helped become Irish Internationals were left stranded and abandoned when this happened and the IAFL, in my opinion, turned their back on them.

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED COMING BACK INTO BRITBALL ?

I daydream.  But really my health must be considered first.  I have a bad heart and two bad kidneys so am not the dynamo I once was. My first priority is to the Force USA.  I will give that project all I have.  And it will project American players throughout the UK. Maybe someday also I will be coaching a britball team again too.