| Miles Smith played at a Division III school, was an assistant coach at a Division III school and is now building a Division III program from the ground up. |
The Wilson athletic department is pleased to name Miles Smith Jr. as the first head coach of its men’s basketball program. Starting in the 2014-15 academic year, the new program will begin competition in the North Eastern Athletic Conference, and will be the second sport offered for Wilson’s male student-athletes.
Prior to taking the helm at Wilson, Smith spent one year at The College of New Jersey. As an assistant coach, he was responsible for player development, scouting, game day preparation and management, and recruiting of potential athletes for the Lions.
Smith also spent three seasons as an assistant basketball coach at Mercer County Community College, where he was involved in all aspects of the program, including player development and recruitment, and providing academic support for student-athletes. In 2010, he helped coach the Vikings to the Region 19 Championship and an appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament.
Smith is a 2009 graduate of Johnson State, earning a bachelor’s degree in anthropology/sociology. Prior to Johnson State, Smith also attended Mercer County CC where he graduated with an associate degree in 2005. Smith was a four year starter throughout his collegiate career, and was named team captain and president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee during his senior year at Johnson State.
Smith is excited about the opportunity to build a program from the ground up and will focus on creating a family oriented environment that encourages student-athletes to learn and develop on and off the basketball court. "I am extremely honored, and humbled that athletic director Lori Frey and Wilson College have given me the opportunity to start a men’s basketball program for Wilson College," said Smith. "I look forward to recruiting and working with student-athletes who are committed to hard work and effort both in the classroom and on the basketball court."
Smith recognizes and embraces the broader picture of coaching
student-athletes and will strive to build the program around hard
work, academic excellence, and providing his athletes with an
experience that will lead to success in life. "The goal is to win
games but I am an educator first. The development of
student-athletes on and off the court is my top priority," said
Smith.