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In two seasons as the head football coach at Olympus, Mike Smith has led the Titans to the playoffs twice, won the Battle of the Rock both times he coached in the rivalry game, and been in the hunt for a region title.

But today he announced he is resigning to focus on a career in education administration.

Smith led the team to back-to-back seven win seasons, but failed to advance past the first round of the 4A playoffs either year. Former East coach Aaron Whitehead, who served as Smith's offensive coordinator for the Titans, will replace him.

Smith recently completed his doctorate. He said Olympus football is on an "upswing" and this was the right time to step aside.

"We're in the perfect position," he said, "and we wanted to make the change early."

Smith said he announced his decision to the team this morning before Whitehead was announced as his replacement. Before Olympus, Smith was the head coach at Southern Virginia University for two seasons.

The Titans looked like the class of Region 6 this season, until a blowout to Bountiful on Oct. 21 relegated them to the region's fourth seed and a playoff-opening road game at Springville. Olympus lost to the Red Devils 35-14.

Two of Olympus' losses this season were to teams in the 4A semifinals — Bountiful and Springville — and the Titans beat another of them: Highland.

But for Smith, the highlight of his tenure was twice beating his team's biggest rival.

"I'll remember those two wins against Skyline, back to back," he said. "Going up there this year and winning in a hostile environment."

The Titans beat the Eagles 31-24 on Aug. 27 and 28-14 last season, to claim the Battle of the Rock in consecutive seasons for the first time since they won seven straight from 1980 to 1986.

Whitehead will be expected to pick up where White is leaving off. He coached at East from 2003 to 2007, accumulating a 39-21 record and leading the Leopards to semifinal appearances in 2005 and 2006.— Bill Oram