Homer Smith Hired as Chiefs’ Aide

Homer Smith, offensive coordinator at UCLA, was hired Saturday to rebuild the offense of the Kansas City Chiefs, rejoining Coach Frank Gansz.

Smith, 55, signed a two-year contract with the Chiefs, who in 1986 reached the playoffs for the first time since 1971 despite an offense that ranked last in the league.

Gansz, who was hired as Chief coach earlier this month when John Mackovic was fired, and Smith were assistant coaches at the Air Force Academy in 1964. Then in 1974, Smith was Army’s head coach, and Gansz was his offensive coordinator.

Smith, offensive coordinator at UCLA the past seven years, has coached for 28 years in the college ranks but never in the National Football League.