ASHBURN, Va. -- His future was supposed to include a degree in physical education, putting him on the same path his father had originally traveled years ago. Instead, like his dad many years earlier, Kyle Smith pivoted and ended up on a journey that was probably easy to predict.

After all, his father A.J. Smith went from gym teacher to NFL general manager -- and used to read his son unique bedtime stories.

“Most dads read their kids 'Berenstain Bear' books,” Kyle Smith said. “My dad would read Miami Dolphins AFC East advance reports.”

Named the Redskins’ director of college scouting earlier this month, Smith learned a lot from his father, who was a general manager with the San Diego Chargers after previously serving as an assistant in Buffalo’s front office. There weren’t any scenes of a young Kyle Smith watching game film at 6 years old while sitting on his dad’s lap. Nor was he writing scouting reports as a youth.

But when Kyle started playing high school football and watching film for upcoming games -- or just casually watching a game on TV -- his dad taught him how to watch it properly and evaluate talent.

“My dad would say, ‘When watching tape, watch the DBs and let’s see his hips, see the athleticism,” Smith said. “The main thing for my dad is he gave me a list of position specifics and what you look for so when you watch the game on TV. Those things are going on in my head.”

Kyle Smith has been with the Redskins on a full-time basis since 2011 and was promoted to director of college scouting earlier this month. Courtesy Washington Redskins

A.J. Smith was a gym teacher for 15 years before getting into scouting as an intern with the New England Patriots. It was a gamble that paid off. Kyle Smith had the teaching bug as well, and went to Youngstown State with the intention of becoming a gym teacher like his father.

“I always wanted to be my dad,” he said.

Then Smith hit a roadblock. An academic adviser told him he had to have a B-plus average -- he was not close after two semesters -- and steered him toward a general studies major.

“I feel I’d be a damn good gym teacher,” Smith said, “If only I didn’t need a B-plus.”

The Redskins clearly believe he made the right choice in turning to scouting. Smith starred as a receiver for Youngstown State, and spent time with the Minnesota Vikings in 2006. He joined the Redskins as an intern in 2010, then became an area scout a year later. He was in charge of the Southeast region, arguably the most important one.

His father served as a consultant to Washington from 2013-15. But now Kyle Smith runs the show on the college side after replacing Scott Campbell, who was named a senior personnel executive.

Smith said he has learned a lot about his current job -- particularly organizational skills, how to fight for his staff at contract time and how to maintain morale after countless hours on the road -- from his father and Campbell.

Smith also called himself a “boring guy who just scouts and works out.” He poked fun at his family, ribbing his sister for marrying a baseball scout for the Chicago White Sox.

As for himself, Smith wouldn’t have it any other way. He’s happy that he, like his dad, turned toward a career in football.

“He’s my dad, but he’s by far the best evaluator I’ve been around,” Smith said. “He’s a self-made guy. My passion is football and it comes from him.

“This is all I know. It’s what I love.”