Siena University has appointed Nevada Smith as the new head coach of its men’s basketball team. This marks an exciting turn for the program as Smith takes over from Gerry McNamara, who recently returned to Syracuse as head coach after leading Siena to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title.
In a statement, Smith expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “My family and I are thrilled to become part of the Siena community. I am honored to lead this program and build on the foundation established by Gerry McNamara and his team.”
Smith, 45, previously worked at Marquette for five seasons, where he acted as both a special assistant and later an assistant coach under Shaka Smart. During his time there, Marquette achieved notable success, including four NCAA Tournament appearances, although they faced challenges this past season with a 12-20 record.
Smith’s coaching experience spans several levels of basketball. Before joining Marquette, he had a stint as head coach in the G League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, where he honed his skills in player development. His approach emphasizes an efficient offense, focusing on attacking the paint rather than solely relying on 3-pointers. This strategy helped Marquette rank impressively in adjusted offensive efficiency in previous seasons, though they dropped in rankings this year.
“Smith has a creative offensive style,” said Todd McGuinness, head coach at Case Western Reserve University and a close friend of Smith. “He prioritizes creating scoring opportunities close to the basket.”
Smith’s coaching journey began at Ithaca College, where he contributed to significant team successes, including two NCAA playoff appearances. His reputation as a sharp basketball mind caught the attention of Siena, and after a thorough search that included talks with other candidates like Mike Hopkins and John Becker, the university was eager to secure Smith’s talents.
Siena’s program saw notable achievements last season, reaching the NCAA Tournament and putting up a strong fight against Duke. However, with several players now exploring the transfer portal, including standout guard Gavin Doty, Smith faces the challenge of rebuilding the roster.
As he begins this new chapter with the Saints, the Siena community looks forward to his leadership and vision for the future.
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