Roland Smith hired as next Miami Central head coach

Miami Central scored a big name when it came to finding its next head coach to replace former head coach, Telly Lockette, on Wednesday.

As first reported by South Florida High School Sports.com (SFHS Sports), former Miami Northwestern head coach Roland Smith was picked to lead the Rockets.

Lockette, who departed for running back’s coaching position at the University of South Florida in Tampa last month, led the Rockets to three state championship game appearances, winning two titles in 2010 and 2012.

Smith has an extensive resume as both a player and as a coach. He is an alum of Miami Northwestern, played college football for the University of Miami and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 1991 NFL Draft.

“Its so great to have the opportunity to work with young men again as a head football coach,” Smith told SFHS Sports.

Smith took Miami Northwestern to two state championship games during his six seasons as head coach, winning the Class 6A title in 2006 over a win against Lake Brantley. The Bulls lost to Apopka in the 2001 Class 6A state title game.

He was ousted after the 2006 season due to a scandal involving a player, something that he was eventually cleared from any wrongdoing.

Smith will take over a loaded Miami Central team that will face a tough schedule and likely will be nationally rank when the season starts.

Read more of the SFHS Sports report on Smith’s hiring in detail here.