Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Polarizing coach congratulates Geno Smith on latest performance

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 11/9/22

The career renaissance of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is going strong nine games into the season.

And after his latest standout performance — a 275-yard, two-touchdown outing in a 31-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals — Smith earned praise from an unlikely source, current Iona (and former Louisville) basketball head coach Rick Pitino.

Thanks Coach! Big fan of yours. https://t.co/3RoBeiqCUD
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) November 7, 2022

It was Smith’s fourth game with 250 yards passing or more, and his sixth with a passer rating of 100 or better.

Smith has led the Seahawks to a 6-3 record this season after starting just five games from 2015 through 2021 in stints with the New York Jets, New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers and Seahawks.

The 32-year-old West Virginia alum leads the NFL in completion percentage (73.1) and ranks third in passer rating (107.2), fifth in touchdown passes (15) and sixth in both passing yards (2,199) and yards per completion (7.8). He also has the fourth-highest passing grade in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus.

Everyone -- even Rick Pitino -- is taking notice of what Geno Smith is doing in Seattle. https://t.co/65XemDNyb3
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) November 7, 2022