Paul Smith has been named head football coach at Riverbank High School for the 2005 season. He replaces Matt Elkins, who resigned several months ago.
Smith was also appointed to the RHS physical education teaching staff during the April 5 Riverbank Unified School District meeting.
Smith is a Riverbank High School graduate and former football star who is eager to return to the school as teacher and coach.
"He wants to come back to the school he came from. He has a lot of energy and enthusiasm and I have a lot of faith in him," said Athletics Director Karen Adams in presenting his application for the coaching position.
Smith is currently a substitute teacher at Roosevelt Junior High School in Modesto. He will take up his teaching and coaching duties here in the fall.
Smith said that he played as wide receiver and defensive back for a Riverbank team which did not win a single game in either his junior or senior year, although he personally was named an All-Star in his senior year.
Tom Buck was his coach in those days. Since then RHS has had a succession of football coaches, few of whom stayed more than a year or two, he noted. The most successful coach was Rusty Stivers, who turned the Bruins around and posted an impressive 2001 season before leaving to coach at Modesto Junior College.
Smith said that what the team needs is consistency in the coaching staff, and he plans on staying many years and giving them that.
Smith grew up in Waterford, but he now lives in Modesto with his wife, Aubrie, and 13-month-old son.
Smith was also appointed to the RHS physical education teaching staff during the April 5 Riverbank Unified School District meeting.
Smith is a Riverbank High School graduate and former football star who is eager to return to the school as teacher and coach.
"He wants to come back to the school he came from. He has a lot of energy and enthusiasm and I have a lot of faith in him," said Athletics Director Karen Adams in presenting his application for the coaching position.
Smith is currently a substitute teacher at Roosevelt Junior High School in Modesto. He will take up his teaching and coaching duties here in the fall.
Smith said that he played as wide receiver and defensive back for a Riverbank team which did not win a single game in either his junior or senior year, although he personally was named an All-Star in his senior year.
Tom Buck was his coach in those days. Since then RHS has had a succession of football coaches, few of whom stayed more than a year or two, he noted. The most successful coach was Rusty Stivers, who turned the Bruins around and posted an impressive 2001 season before leaving to coach at Modesto Junior College.
Smith said that what the team needs is consistency in the coaching staff, and he plans on staying many years and giving them that.
Smith grew up in Waterford, but he now lives in Modesto with his wife, Aubrie, and 13-month-old son.
