The winningest collegiate basketball coach on any level in Minnesota, Smith retired in March 2015 following his 51st season at SJU with a 786-556 career record (.586). Besides ranking first among college coaches in Minnesota, Smith also ended his career 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.
He became the 27th coach in NCAA men's basketball history to win 700 career games on Nov. 21, 2009, against Division II MSU-Moorhead. 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.
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.
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.
For Smith's full bio, click
here.
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Timeless stories mark Smith’s Hall of Honor induction
