It’s been over a decade since the Dallas County Hornets finished a football season over .500. It’s also been nearly as long since the program had the same coach for two consecutive seasons.

It looks like at least one of those streaks is ending this year. The other one is a work in progress.

After accepting the head coaching position in June last year, Smith had limited time to get the team up to speed. Even in limited time, the Hornets made progress, as the team finished with its best record since 2010.

Ironically, 2010 is also the last time Dallas County had the same head coach two straight seasons.

“Let’s be honest too — I’m the first coach they’ve had in quite a few years here that is actually going to be around for a year or two,” Smith said.

“We can laugh about it, but the kids are comfortable with it, the coaches are comfortable with it and there’s a level of expectations that are already there. You can sense it on the practice field.”

Practice Monday ran like a well-oiled machine.

The offense was in white jerseys, while the defensive players were in green. The schedule oriented Smith — who creates a new practice schedule with every minute mapped out each day — kept players moving.

He knows how important spring practice can be for building a program.

“We’ve got to get to the point in this program where we don’t rebuild anymore. It’s reloading,” Smith said. “Depth is something we are building.”

A total of 68 players in 10th through 12tg grade are out for spring training.  Last year Smith said the team had 52 players in the fall, but that total included ninth graders.

“The good thing about us with that is that they are getting reps, having fun and understanding the vision I have for this program,” Smith said.

The Hornets return seven offensive players, including tight end Paul Daniels and running backs Darion Athinson and Calvin Starks Jr. and eight defensive players from a team that won three of its last seven games after struggling to an 0-3 start.

Key defensive returnees include defensive backs Anthony Oliver and Quincey Parker, as well as linebacker DeLando Atchinson.

The Hornets will play their spring jamboree Friday at John Carroll Catholic, where Smith won two state basketball championships and helped build the football stadium with his dad’s construction company Bob Smith Construction, Inc.

“Out of the 92 stadiums we’ve built, that’s the first one we built, so not only did I coach there but I helped build that stadium physically with my hands,” Smith said. “It’s kind of a homecoming for me, and I couldn’t be prouder to take this group of guys back there. I’m ready to go back.”

The Hornets won’t actually play John Carroll though. Dallas County will face Fairfield at 6 p.m. in a three-quarter game. The teams will play two quarters, have a halftime and then play the final quarter.