Robinson Hires a Former Player : USC: New coach selects former Ram center Doug Smith to coach Trojan defensive linemen.

Doug Smith, a former center who was selected to play in the Pro Bowl six times during a 14-year career with the Rams, has been hired to coach defensive linemen by USC Coach John Robinson.

“I’ve been looking at those guys for several years,” said Smith, who worked as a volunteer coach for the Rams last season after being released during the exhibition season. “It creates some new challenges.

“I’m looking forward to working with Coach Robinson--I worked with him as a player and now as an assistant. The quality of people they get at SC is incredible, so I’m really looking forward to having that opportunity.”

Smith, 36, indicated that he asked to coach defensive linemen.

“It will give me a full picture of the football experience,” he said. “I could do offensive linemen, but I guess I’ve been (on the offensive side) since I was 10, so this creates a new challenge. I’ve been blocking defensive people, so I know about everything they can do schematically.

“Now, those things that gave me major headaches, I’m going to get these defensive linemen to give headaches to other players in the Pac-10.”

Smith, no relation to former USC coach Larry Smith, said that it has long been his hope to coach after his playing career ended.

“I got my bachelor’s degree (from Bowling Green) in hopes of coaching, and also my master’s degree (from Cal State Fullerton) with the same hopes,” said Smith, who played his entire NFL career with the Rams.

He looks forward to sharing his knowledge with the Trojans.

“As a player, I wasn’t much of an athlete, per se,” said Smith, who signed with the Rams as a free agent in 1978. “I couldn’t run real fast, I wasn’t the strongest of players. But the technique, I knew it to a T.

“I prided myself on not making mental mistakes. I’ll get these guys--who are real athletes--and I’m sure I can convey that over to them--how to play smart, as well as be able to utilize their athletic ability.”