University of the Incarnate Word men’s basketball Head Coach Dr. Carson Cunningham has added Ryne Smith as an assistant coach. Smith replaces Darnell Archey, who recently took a head coaching position at the University of Mobile.
“It’s awesome to welcome Coach Ryne Smith, his wife Sami, and their two young daughters to storied UIW and the great city of San Antonio,” said Cunningham. “Ryne boasts an impressive resume, with his background as a four-year Purdue student-athlete and then a student assistant, and with his head coaching experience and Division I experience. He came highly recommended by Purdue Head Coach Matt Painter, who is among the crème-de-la-crème of basketball coaches globally. Head Coach Jack Owens at Miami University, who previously worked at Purdue for many years, says great things about Ryne, as do many others.
“It was also helpful that this past season, I got to see Coach Smith and the Miami (Ohio) staff in action, and I got to spend time with them at the Island of the Bahamas Showcase, which UIW also played in. All-in-all, the further along in this process I got with Coach Smith, the more convinced I became that he was a great fit.”
Smith comes to UIW from Miami University, where he spent three seasons as the director of basketball operations for men’s basketball program. In his position, he was responsible for the general functions of the team, such as team travel, recruit scheduling, camps and as a liaison to student-athletes.
“My family and I are thrilled to be joining the UIW basketball family,” said Smith. “I look forward to working with Coach Cunningham and his tremendous staff. I’m excited to share my passion for basketball and bring added positive energy to the program. I know through Coach Cunningham, this is a program on the rise, and I cannot wait to be part of it.”
Before joining the RedHawks, Smith spent three seasons teaching and coaching high school boys’ basketball. He was the head coach of Clinton Prairie High School from 2013-15 and spent the 2016-17 season coaching Anderson High School in Anderson, Indiana. He taught U.S. History at both schools.
Smith was a four-year letterwinner for Purdue from 2008-12. He saw increased playing time each season, and, as a senior, he appeared in 35 games, making 32 starts. He made 89 three-point field goals, which ranked third on the Boilermakers’ single-season chart. After completing his eligibility, Smith spent the 2012-13 season as a student-assistant coach under Painter and Owens, helping put together game plans and scouting reports.
Ryne Smith named Assistant Basketball Coach at UIW
