Saint John's University

Contact Information
Email: jsmith@csbsju.edu
Office: 320-363-2500

The winningest collegiate basketball coach on any level in Minnesota, Saint John's University basketball coach Jim Smith ended his 51st season at SJU with a 786-556 career record (.586) in 2014-15. He announced his retirement on March 17, 2015.

Besides ranking first among college coaches in Minnesota, Smith was also second among active NCAA Division III coaches for most victories, second all-time in Division III basketball history and tied for 14th all-time in all divisions of collegiate basketball when he retired.

Smith gained his 700th win on Nov. 21, 2009, with a win over NCAA Division II MSU-Moorhead. Smith was the 27th coach in NCAA men's basketball history to win 700 career games. On Feb. 13, 2002, Smith also reached the milestone of coaching his 1,000th career game.

Smith became the winningest coach in Minnesota collegiate basketball history on March 3, 2001, when SJU defeated Gustavus Adolphus in the second round of the NCAA Division III basketball championship tournament, passing legendary Hamline head coach Joe Hutton.

Smith led his teams to seven MIAC titles, five MIAC playoff titles, nine trips to the NAIA tournament and eight trips to the NCAA Division III playoffs, including an appearance by the Johnnies in the 2000, 2001 and 2007 NCAA tournaments. Smith won MIAC titles in each of the past five decades. Since 1964, SJU enjoyed 36 winning seasons under Smith's direction.

A three-time NAIA District Coach-of-the-Year, Smith was a past president of the NAIA's National Basketball Coaches' Association (1982-83). In 1992-93 and 2000-01, Smith was named the NCAA Division III West Region Coach-of-the-Year. Smith also was named MIAC coach of the year in 2000-01, which was the sixth time in his career he has received that prestigious honor.

A 1956 graduate of Marquette University with a bachelor's degree in English and history, Smith was a four-year letterwinner on the Warriors' basketball team. He also earned his M.Ed. in counseling and guidance from Marquette, while serving as an assistant coach from 1957-61. Smith coached two high schools, Milwaukee (Wis.) South and Brookfield (Wis.) East, over a three-year period before coming to Collegeville.

In addition to his duties as basketball coach, Smith was an associate professor of physical education and coached golf (1981-93), cross country (1965-73) and track (1966-73) at SJU. He served as the Johnnies’ athletic director for 15 years from 1972-76 and 1994-2003.

Smith grew up in Elgin, Ill., and attended St. Edward's High School, where he was an all-conference performer in basketball, football and track. In 1993, Smith was inducted into the St. Edward's Sports Hall of Fame and the City of Elgin Sports Hall of Fame.

He and his wife, Adrienne, have seven children, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.