Buccaneers coach reveals what drives him at age 72

Normally, people are already enjoying retirement at 70 years old. It feels like a reward, spending more time with family or simply cherishing the quiet. They reach that age with enough peace to enjoy the freedom they spent decades working toward.

But do not tell those to Danny Smith, who, at 72 years old, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in January as the special teams coordinator.

Smith previously served the same role for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2013 to 2025.

He has been coaching since 1977, working the ladder from Central Catholic High School in Pennsylvania to the NCAA Division I to the NFL.

Through it all, Smith’s passion for football never waned, and now, he will start a new chapter with the Buccaneers. He said everything about the sport continues to drive him despite his age.

“I don’t know anything but. I need competition and preparation. I need it. I need it in my life. I need competition and preparation. That’s why I do it. And I love it. I love this game,” said Smith in the video posted by ESPN’s Jenna Laine.