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Kim Smallwood
COACH KIM: From National Champion to Varsity Football Coach, Smallwood has Carved Her Own Way at Bush
Her legacy has flourished where it began. In Richmond, Texas.
"I'm very grateful to be here," said Smallwood, in her fourth season as varsity football assistant coach and 11th season as head girls basketball coach. "As a child, there was a lot of reasons I could've quit and stopped and gone another way. Having a strong mother, who is strong in faith, and me learning from her has guided me to where I am today."
Smallwood is a product of Lamar Consolidated High, Class of 1995. She came from a single-parent home; her mother, Laura Newsome, and late brother, Darrell, raised her.
Sports was all Smallwood knew growing up.
"I'm an athlete," she said. "I just liked competing. That was my motivation."
Smallwood started running track at the age of six and competed with the Jesse Owens travel group. She picked up a basketball for the first time in the seventh grade because a coach told her she was playing. They would not take 'no' for an answer.
Smallwood played touch football with friends in the street. She hooped at the park. She met up with friends at Crockett Middle School and had softball tournaments.
"We had a village," Smallwood said of her neighborhood across the railroad tracks from what was then Polly Ryon Memorial Hospital. "Everybody in the community was a parent to me. All the kids were sisters and brothers to me. Hispanic, black or white, we were all together."
Smallwood played basketball and volleyball and ran track all the way from junior high through high school. Her talents landed her a basketball and track scholarship to the University of Tennessee.
"Pat Summitt was a very straightforward coach," Smallwood said. "She did not lie to you. She loved you. Before I got there, she assured my mom she'd make sure I did everything I was supposed to do. And she did."
Fort Bend Bush head football coach Allen Aldridge, left, and running backs coach Kim Smallwood.Justin Hartojo | VYPE Media
A Part of Something
Smallwood was nervous those first few months of practice under Summitt.
"She was a great woman," Smallwood said. "Strict, but a teacher. I needed to know there was somebody that cared about me and wanted to see me succeed."
Smallwood was a member of the 1996 Tennessee National Championship team. It was arguably the most influential year of her career.
Her coaching philosophy centers around discipline, and it's largely based upon observing and learning from Summitt, as well as her high school coach, Dolly Coleman.
Smallwood watched Summit interrupt classes to have a talk with players if they weren't sitting in the front row. She paid close attention to how Summitt handled players like star Chamique Holdsclaw, Smallwood's roommate, and others.
"I realized you can't love everybody the same way and you can't reach them the same way," Smallwood said. "The way she talked to Chamique, and showed Chamique things, she couldn't show me that way."
Smallwood suffered a hamstring injury and sat down to discuss her future with Summitt prior to her sophomore year. She decided to just run track that year.
But after that sophomore season, she got homesick. Plus, she didn't want to just run track anymore. And Laura was very sick.
So, Smallwood returned home to Houston and transferred to Rice.
"It was tough to leave," Smallwood said. "I wanted to play basketball at Tennessee, but I needed to be closer to my mom. I was flying to Houston from Tennessee every other weekend."
Smallwood played basketball and ran track (100-meter hurdles, 4x100- meter relay, long jump, triple jump) for the Owls.
She played three seasons (1997-2000) and won a Western Athletic Conference championship. Playing with Marla Brumfield, Smallwood helped change the culture and perception of what had been a losing program.
After Rice, spent a preseason camp with the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx as an undrafted free agent. Not long after, she returned home again.
"(Coach) Brian Agler was a beast," Smallwood said. "A different kind of coach. Not for me."
By then, however, Smallwood, knew what she wanted to do.
"I wanted to give back to my community," she said. "That's when I decided to go into education. Here I am now. This is what I was meant to do.
"I love helping people out and I love seeing people succeed. I love teaching and being a part of something."
Fort Bend Bush running backs coach Kim Smallwood, middle, poses for a photo with Bush running backs.Justin Hartojo | VYPE Media
A Dream
Smallwood's earliest memories of football are from middle school. She pleaded with her mother to let her play tackle.
"My mom was not having that," Smallwood said, laughing. "'You're a girl, and you will not play football with the boys.' And back then, we couldn't. But I would play flag football and play touch football in the street. Even when it came to softball, I wanted to play baseball. It was just more competitive to me, at that time."
Smallwood would eventually play tackle football. She played five seasons with the Houston Energy and Houston Cyclones of the Women's Professional Football League in the mid-to-late 2000s.
The WPFL was the first women's professional football league in the United States.
She played running back, quarterback, tight end, receiver; or, what these days is labeled as "an athlete". Smallwood won a WPFL Super Bowl with the Cyclones in 2008.
Playing the game sparked her interest in coaching it.
"I've always wanted to coach football," Smallwood said. "I'd always ask (Bush head football coach) Coach (Allen) Aldridge, and at first he was like, 'no.' At that time, he had a full staff. I think he was seeing if I was serious and knew anything about football."
Indeed, Aldridge had to get a true gauge of Smallwood's seriousness initially. Once he saw how persistent and passionate she was, it was an easy call.
"She understands the game," Aldridge said. "Just the athlete and her credentials she has and the leader she is, the guys respect her."
Aldridge tries to give Smallwood a different position to coach every two years to give her a full scope. She started her career shadowing defensive coordinator Javian Thornton, learning the entire defense. The next two years, she coached receivers. This year, she's coaching running backs. Bush is third in District 20-6A in rushing at 161.7 yards per game.
Smallwood considers herself a mother to the players. A voice of reason and assurance.
"She's going to bring a lot of energy and a lot of helpful information that sometimes we didn't really get over the years," said senior running back Adrian Cormier, who leads the Broncos with 489 rushing yards and a touchdown this season. "She knows the game. She has the knowledge that we need to be successful, and she has this vibe that makes it easy for her to relate to players."
When basketball season starts, Smallwood coaches practice until 4 p.m. then heads to the field to finish football practice until 5:30-6 p.m. During game days, she hopes the two sports don't conflict; if they do, basketball takes priority.
Still, Smallwood always makes sure she is available to the football team if needed. While she ultimately aspires to be an athletic director, being a head football coach is something she's given considerable thought to.
"It has been a dream. But I'm still kind of in the baby stages," Smallwood said.
"I'm still learning. I can't say I'm ready to go. I do a lot of observing. It may be coming. I don't know. I won't rule it out."
This story appeared in the Inaugural VYPE Fort Bend ISD Fall Edition, which is now available to pick up at your local Fort Bend ISD High Schools.
Ridge Point Football
VYPE Football 2021 Preview: District 20-6A
PRESEASON RANKING
Ridge Point
Travis
George Ranch
Clements
Dulles
Bush
Austin
Elkins
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
PRESEASON AWARDS
Most Valuable Player: Bert Emanuel Jr., Ridge Point
Offensive MVP: Anthony Njoku, Travis
Defensive MVP: Patrick Smith, Clements
Breakout Player of the Year: Dominick Williams, Dulles
Sleeper Team: Bush
...
Ridge Point Panthers
The Panthers won the district title and made an inspired run to the regional finals in coach Rick LaFavers' debut season at the helm. Ridge Point returns 11 starters (seven on defense) from that 8-3 team and is fast, athletic and explosive on both sides of the ball.
The offense is engineered by senior 6-foot-3, 205-pound QB Bert Emanuel Jr. (1,473 passing yards, 16 TDs; 504 rushing yards, 6 TDs), junior 6-foot, 180-pound RB Ezell Jolly (304 rushing yards, 2 TDs), senior 6-foot, 200-pound WR Marvin Session (76 receiving yards, 260 return yards) and senior 6-foot-7, 235-pound OL Calvin Harvey – a Louisiana Tech- commit.
The defense is led by junior 6-foot-3, 275-pound DL DK Kalu (36 tackles, sack), senior LB Dalton Plitt (24 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries), senior CB Alejandro Colbert (22 tackles, 2 INTs, 4 pass breakups), junior DB Ryan Remey (31 tackles, INT), junior 6-foot-1, 185-pound safety Taylor Davis (59 tackles, 3 INTs, defensive TD) and junior DL Clayton Cherry (21 tackles, 3 sacks, fumble caused).
LaFavers has concerns about his team's depth and the gelling of the O-line and receivers, but he clearly has a loaded roster. Seven players (Emanuel, Session, Jolly, Harvey, Colbert, Kalu and sophomore QB Karson Gordon) hold NCAA DI offers.
Travis Tigers
A dynamic offense has generally been the M.O. for Travis, and that should be the case again this season. The Tigers return 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior QB Anthony Njoku (1,365 yards, 13 TDs-3 INTs; 458 rushing yards, 7 TDs) and all but one of their starting offensive linemen, including senior stalwarts Dylan Kinney (6-3, 280) and Blake Brown (6-1, 280) from a team that averaged 24.2 points per game last season.
Senior RB Jamison Singleterry and sophomore OL Dawson Elliott (6-4, 285) and OL Luke Alvarez also figures into the mix. Of Travis' 12 returning starters, only four are on defense. Senior 6-foot-1, 185-pound DB Dominic Njoku (1.9 tackles per game, 8 passes defensed) and senior 5-foot-11, 265-pound DL Brandon Dixon (3.0 sacks, 2 fumbles caused, 2 fumble recoveries) will steady that side of the ball.
Promising talents as newcomers include LB Anthony Oliver, DL Erick Conley, DL Tristan Mason, DB Aaron Mendiola and LB Davis Ochoa.
George Ranch Longhorns
The Longhorns return 11 starters (six offensively) from a 5-4 team that had to forfeit its Bi-District playoff game against Katy Taylor because of COVID-19 protocols.
George Ranch was a run-heavy team last season, and that looks to be the case again. Senior 5-foot-11, 180-pound RB Hymond Drinkard (735 rushing yards, 7.1 yards per carry, 8 TDs) is back to move the chains. Senior QB Cole Murphy is likely the man under center after sharing time last season. Aside from Drinkard, Murphy will have help on the perimeter in senior WRs Joseph Wilson (10.2 yards per catch, TD) and Donovan Dixon (8.4 yards per catch, 2 TDs).
Defensively, the secondary is a strength behind senior 6-foot, 170-pound DB Coy Cook (17 tackles, 5 passes defensed, INT) and senior 5-foot-10, 170-pound DB Jaylon Belford (13 tackles, 6 passes defensed, INT). Keep an eye on 6-foot, 185-poound DB Jeffrey Ugochukwu as well. Up front, senior 6-foot-1, 260-pound DE David Walker (five sacks) is a headache for opposing offenses. A potential breakout standout is versatile 5-foot- 11, 170-pound sophomore Deion Drinkard.
Clements Rangers
Coach Bobby Darnell likes his defense and feels he'll have a strong running game this year with four offensive linemen and the entire backfield returning. Sixteen starters are back from last year's 4-6 team (three losses coming by seven points or fewer) and the Rangers could be a darkhorse in 20-6A. Senior QB Micah Darnell (615 yards, 5 TDs-7 INTs) will handle things under center. Senior RB Dimas Kusuma (575 yards, 7 TDs) and junior FB JR Mirelles (339 yards, 5.8 yards per carry,
4 TDs) steady the run game. Senior 5-foot-9, 165-pound WR Marcus Darnell (366 yards, 17.4 yards per catch, 4 TDs) is explosive on the perimeter. Defensively, Clements leans on senior ILB Matthew McGinnis, senior CB/RB Junior Onipede, senior OLB Weza Pereira, junior MLB Ferris Refai and do-it-all 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior FS/WR/returner Patrick Smith. Smith (44 tackles, 2 INTs, 475 all-purpose yards) holds 10 offers, including Air Force, Army and Navy. Marcus Darnell and senior 6-foot-2, 265-pound OL Nathan Morris are also notable recruits. Sophomore Carson Talley, and juniors Brian Navarro and Lex Demeris help dominate the front with Morris.
Dulles Vikings
Dulles returns 12 starters from a 2-6 team, both wins coming in district play. There's not a lot of depth for coach Shane Byrd's bunch, but there is plenty of capable talent. Senior 5-foot-10, 180-pound RB Devin Graham is the Vikings' go-to offensively. He rushed for 599 yards
and five TDs and is also the team's leading returning receiver with
75 yards at 6.3 yards per catch. Senior QB Marc Tisdel will direct the offense, throwing for 558 yards and five TDs to four INTs last season. Defensively, Dulles is ignited by senior 5-foot-11, 185-pound LB Jaxon Tilley (48 tackles, INT, sack) and senior CB Jalen Brown (25 tackles, 10 passes defensed). Senior 6-foot-5, 215-pound LB Dominick Williams (13 tackles, 2 fumbles caused, fumble recovery in three games) suffered an injury-plagued 2020 season but is a game-changer when healthy.
Bush Broncos
Coach Allen Aldridge likes his team's speed and experience. The Broncos return 17 starters from a 1-6 team and could make a legit push for the playoffs. Bush's offense has a nice running game led by seniors Adrian Cormier (152 yards, 3 TDs) and Nelvens Borgella (254 yards, 2 TDs). Cormier runs a 4.5, 40-yard dash. Senior QB Tyler Hilder threw for 463 yards and three TDs. He will be protected by senior OG Jason Ezeokwonna. Defensively, however, Bush could be dynamic. There
is playmaking all over, highlighted by senior 6-foot-1, 170-pound DB Dantonio Hackworth Jr. (31 tackles, INT), junior 5-foot-11, 190-pound
LB Preston Davis (28 tackles), senior 6-foot, 220-pound LB Brandon Chambers (48 tackles, 10 for loss) and impressive junior 5-foot-11, 185-pound DE Kosy Okoroafor (52 tackles, 4 sacks).
Austin Bulldogs
Coach Mike Arogbonlo likes his team's chances if they can stay healthy. He lists the secondary, defensive line, running backs and receivers as strengths. His primary concern is depth along the offensive line. Austin returns 10 starters from last year's 2-6 team. Senior 6-foot-3, 315-pound DT Victor Philip (25 tackles, 3 sacks) is the other. Austin also has senior QB Braeden Abboud (789 passing yards, 4 TDs in five starts), senior 6-foot, 185-pound RB Luke Weaver, senior RB James Autry, junior 6-foot- 2, 190-pound WR Daniel Oloso and junior 6-foot-1, 240-pound OL Aries Stevens to count on offensively. On Defense, 6-foot-1, 170-pound junior Jamal Franklin (30 tackles, INT) mans the secondary. Key newcomers are sophomore RB/WR Hampton Phillips, junior DB Xavier Hernandez, senior LB Demarkus Griffin, junior DB Jayson Tanifum and sophomore DB Hugh Rolls.
Elkins Knights
Elkins is in repair mode this season, returning four starters from last year's 2-5 Bi-District playoff finalist. Senior 6-foot-7, 200-pound receiver Jackson Fields (314 yards, 4 TDs) is the marquee name. He holds offers from Wyoming, Nevada and UTSA and is in for a huge year. Junior QB Isaiah Smith (714 yards, 8 TDs) is back after an impressive sophomore season. The offensive line has veteran influence in seniors Kenyan Moore, Noah Tristan and Andre Barnes. Watch out for Nicholas Sanders at fullback for the Knights. Coach Dennis Brantley said the defensive front seven will be the strength. He has senior 6-foot-2, 290-pound DL Taurean Crawford, who had 58 tackles and six sacks last season; senior LBs Christian Peluse and Daron Smith; and senior 6-foot-2, 215-pound DE Andre Pittman. Senior DE Kendal Jackson and senior OLB Oswaldo Gonzalez also figure into plans. Senior CB Stephen Richards is the leader of a secondary that will need others to step up.
Fort Bend Bush's Brandon Chambers, Tyler Hilder, Jason Ezeokwonna, Adrian Cormier and Dantonio Hackworth
