'I owe him one': J'Mar Smith wants to win USFL title for his Stallions coach Skip Holtz

CANTON — The Birmingham Stallions are one win way of completing the new USFL's inaugural season with a championship. For quarterback J'Mar Smith, it is something that he wants to achieve for the Stallions head coach Skip Holtz.

"Going into the game, I have that mental stability with Coach Holtz, understanding of what he wants and what we have to do to get this win," Smith said. "It feels great to me. I owe him one, so I feel good right now."

The Stallions play the Philadelphia Stars in the USFL championship game at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Before Smith was the Stallions' starting QB, he was working in chiropractic cleaning. Once he heard Holtz was hired by Birmingham, Smith was excited, yet calm, as he waited for that phone call from his former college coach.

"I kind of got a little happy, but I was still working and staying level-headed," Smith said. "When that opportunity came I will be ready."

Little did Smith know, that phone call was bound to happen once the Stallions selected Smith in the USFL draft. Holtz was hoping he would be available when the Stallions were on the clock for the quarterback round of the draft. Once he was, there was no hesitation when they picked Smith. Smith and Holtz were reunited.

"I love the guy," Holtz said. "I can say that. I love who he is and who he's become. I loved the way that he handled a difficult situation in his life that could've defined him. Instead, he had that opportunity to develop him into the man that he is today."

Smith and Holtz's relationship goes back to Louisiana Tech. Smith — who is from Meridian, Mississippi — played five years as a Bulldog, starting since his sophomore year.

Smith didn't end his final season at Tech on the best note. Smith was suspended for the final two regular-season games for violating team rules. He did return for the bowl game on Dec. 26, 2019 when the Bulldogs upset the Miami Hurricanes in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana.

"To see him come back where we shut out Miami, 14-0 in his final collegiate game, I think J'Mar has got the talent to be a really, really good quarterback. I think the world of him," Holtz said.

That bowl win was the last time the two shared the field together until his year. Despite finishing on top, Smith was not satisfied. He deeply regretted his poor decision that got him suspended, but took it as a life lesson going forward.

Smith was on a mission in his pro debut. Smith ranked third in the USFL in passing yards (1,573)  and passing touchdowns (10). The Stallions went 9-1, securing the South Division title. Smith was in the mix to be the league's MVP.

"I took it upon myself that went deep down into a space that I didn't need to go to, but it made me a better man,'' Smith said. "Some mistakes you don't want to happen but some mistakes lead to a space in your life. I guess you can say it made me a better person. It led me to things I wanted to do  ... so when I say I owe him one, I mean it with the bottom of my heart."

Skip Holtz brings Ohio ties

Holtz might know the state of Ohio like the back of his hand. He has made lots of trips across the state in his 35 years of coaching and recruiting prospects, and has built relationships along the way.

"It's funny how things go full circle, and my ties in the state of Ohio as I recruited the state for an awfully long time," Holtz said.

Holtz also has family ties to the state that began with his dad, College Football Hall of Fame coach Lou Holtz. Lou is from East Liverpool and later played linebacker at Kent State.

The Holtz family also has connections to Ohio State football. Lou coached under Woody Hayes on the 1968 Ohio State national championship team.Skip's son, Trey, was a Buckeyes graduate assistant for Urban Meyer and Ryan Day for three years, as well.

Skip was full of excitement as soon as he found out the USFL playoffs would be in Canton.

"It's great to be back in the wonderful state of Ohio, and it's great for an opportunity to try and win a championship in the USFL," Holtz said.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: J'Mar Smith wants USFL title for Stallions coach Skip Holtz