49ers' Smith credits high school coaches for quality character

Programming note: The "Coaching Corps Game Changer Awards" -- featuring Bay Area stars Stephen Vogt, Stephen Curry, Hunter Pence, Derek Carr, Torrey Smith and Tara VanDerveer -- will air on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. on CSN Bay Area and at 11 p.m. on CSN California.

As a freshman basketball player on his high school’s varsity team, Torrey Smith looked around the court one game and saw a handful of players who were better than him -- even if he was clearly the most talented player on the floor.

Two years later, Smith had the self-confidence on the football field to take ownership of a situation that called for extreme measures.

Through his development, from walking onto the Stafford High (Virginia) campus to earning a scholarship to the University of Maryland, there were two coaches in particular who were there for him and made a strong impression.

Smith won a Super Bowl as a wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens. He signed a lucrative free-agent contract with the 49ers last offseason. Smith did not enjoy the kind of on-field success that he had hoped for during his first season with the 49ers, but he handled the adversity with aplomb.

His professionalism during the 49ers’ 5-11 season spoke well for his perspective and maturity.

Smith chose to recognize John and Roger Pierce, his influential high school coaches, this week at the “Coaching Corps Game Changer Awards” ceremony in San Francisco. The event pays tribute to coaching figures in the lives of some of the Bay Area’s biggest stars.

“I understand how precious their time and their effort is and they didn't have to do it,” Smith said. “That's why I have so much respect for coaches that volunteer and give their time because it means a lot and they may not realize how big of a role it plays in the kids' success. And I appreciate these guys."

The Pierce brothers downplay their influence on Smith, but Smith cited the discipline that was instilled in him as a young athlete.

“I had a certain philosophy in my coaching that character will allow a person to be better in life,” Roger Pierce said. “So you build character. You can teach someone to block, tackle or kick a ball. But that stuff goes away some day. But it’s a person’s character that allows them to become better in life, whether it’s as a lawyer, a doctor or a professional athlete.

“If you hold a young person to a higher standard and expect those qualities in them, it’s life-changing and it will be invaluable for the rest of a person’s life.”

Roger was the varsity football coach. His brother, John, was an assistant with the football program and the head varsity basketball coach. Smith played freshman football but was brought up to varsity on the basketball team in his first year of high school.

John remembers an instance when Smith was not asserting himself on the basketball floor.

“Obviously, he was a really good athlete,” John said. “But he was not as aggressive as he could’ve been. He was a ninth grader. I asked him, ‘Who’s better than you out here?’”

Much to John’s surprise, Smith pointed out about a handful of players he considered to be superior.

“He was always such a humble kid,” John said. “I told him, ‘There’s nobody on this court right now that’s better than you.’ ”

Smith might have needed reminders early in his high school days of his potential, but after a couple years the message got through to him. Stafford had a big football game against rival Colonial Forge when Smith was a junior. Roger Pierce called on Smith to do a little bit of everything in that game.

“We played him at quarterback, running back, safety, cornerback, he returned kicks, he returned punts, he was doing everything,” Roger said. “It was late in the fourth quarter and he came to me and said, ‘Coach, put me in at receiver. I’ll make a play.’

“So I did it. He made a heck of a catch and we ended up winning the game. I was receptive to the idea because he was putting it on himself to do something to help the team, and I respected that.”

John and Roger were flattered that Smith fondly remembers the lessons about teamwork and character he learned while playing sports in high school. Smith entered Stafford as a skinny 14-year-old kid with a good head on his shoulders, and he gained confidence and continued to flourish.

The 49ers had so many off-field incidents in the past several years that the organization went out and signed Smith as a free agent. They did it not only for the contribution Smith could make as a deep threat but also because of his steadying locker room influence.

“I think we did have some impact, but the majority was inside of him,” Roger Pierce said. “You have your coaching philosophy, which becomes a melting pot of people and experiences you’ve come into contact with throughout your life. In the end, you just want to do the right things as a coach and help build character and give the kids all the tools they need to be successful in life.”