Smalls Works The Sidelines
Macon Knights’ defensive standout Denario Smalls may consider a career in coaching when his AF2 playing days are finished.

12.01.03 - Macon, Ga. – We’ve all heard professional athletes use the cliché “I have no offseason.”

While some truly are dedicated to their sport for 12 months, usually this is just a meaningless phrase uttered in an attempt to gain popularity.

Usually that small percentage of athletes who are truly dedicated, spend the offseason playing the game, not coaching it.

Denario Smalls of the AF2’s Macon Knights is the exception.

Smalls, defensive specialist with the Knights, decided to spend his offseason as the defensive backs coach for the Pikeville College Bears, located in eastern Kentucky.

While this may seem like the perfect offseason job for a football player, Smalls is quick to admit that it wasn’t something he had planned on.

“I never thought I’d be coaching, but the receivers coach from my college called and told me he thought I was the right person for the job,” said Smalls.

Smalls received the call from Jerry Mynatt, who was the wide receivers coach at East Tennessee State while Smalls was an All-Southern Conference defensive back for the team.

Mynatt, who was named head coach of the Pikeville Bears in February of 2003, was in the process of building the young-NAIA program and knew that Smalls would be a perfect fit on his staff.

“Out of all the people I’ve ever coached, Denario has the best work ethic I’ve seen,” said Mynatt. “Knowing what he has done as a player to get to where he is today, I knew he was a coach I wanted on my staff.”

Smalls, who has been a standout on the Knights defense for the past three seasons, admits that he gets a little more respect from the players by being a professional athlete. Mynatt also knows there is an advantage to having a professional athlete on his coaching staff.

“The players see what Denario is doing (playing in arenafootball2) and they know that it is something they can do,” said Mynatt. “They see his character and know he is about winning and losing – and doing the right thing.”

In addition to coaching the defensive backs, Smalls’ duties include helping coordinate study tables, checking up on players’ academic efforts and assisting in the recruiting process.

With his first season as a coach under his belt, Smalls feels there might be a future for him on the sidelines after his playing days are over.

“I never really wanted to get into coaching, but I’ve enjoyed it and might look into coaching after I’m done playing,” said Smalls. “Who knows, maybe I’ll be a head coach one day. This has been a good stepping stone for me.”

Mynatt feels that Smalls does have a future as a coach, and stated that as long as he could afford him, Denario would have a spot on his staff.

Pikeville wrapped up the season with a 24-7 win over Cumberland University (Tenn.) Saturday, November 15th and finished with a record of 4-6. Smalls will continue to work with Pikeville until it is time for him to get back on the field as a player.

“Right now, I’m still waiting on the AFL,” said Smalls. “I love playing in Macon, and wouldn’t play anywhere else (in af2).”

In 2002, Smalls participated in training camp with the San Jose SaberCats, but was released after his exposure was cut short due to injury. Smalls is expected to get another chance at an AFL roster after turning in another outstanding season with the Knights.

Smalls, one of only four players to have been with the Knights since the team’s inaugural season in 2001, finished the 2003 season leading the Knights in tackles (102), interceptions (10), and pass breakups (33). He also returned 43 kickoffs for 823 yards (19.1 per return) and 2 touchdowns.