 In 1986, he began a long career as an assistant and associate coach in the National Hockey League, working with the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, and Phoenix Coyotes, winning five Stanley Cups along the way.Smith also coached five games for the Red Wings in 1998 after head coach Scotty Bowman was unable to start the season behind the bench due to knee surgery.In 2008, he became head coach of SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League.