CORVALLIS -- Glassy-eyed with an occasional tremble in his voice, Jonathan Smith spoke passionately Thursday as the former Oregon State quarterback was officially introduced as his alma mater's next football coach.
His first public remarks in the new role came with a Pac-10 title ring on his right hand and a Beavers logo lapel pin on his black suit jacket, as one of the best quarterbacks in program history said he had taken a "dream job in my dream town at my dream school."
"It is great to be home," he said.
Smith, 38, choked up briefly during his introductory remarks from a lectern inside the Valley Football Center Auditorium when he spoke of his wife, Candice, and their three children: Robert (9 years old), Bella (7) and Charles (3), who smiled and played in the room's first row.