UC Irvine Head Coach Russell Turner has announced the addition of Julius Smith to the men’s basketball staff as an assistant coach.
 
“I am excited to add Julius Smith, a proven winner in college basketball, to our coaching staff,” remarked Turner. “Julius is young and hungry and brings contagious energy to our staff that will impact our developing players with his experience on the court in skill-development and with his demonstrated success combining high-level academics with championship basketball. I see Julius as exceptionally smart and competitive which excites me about adding a young coach with a different perspective.”
 
Smith returns to Southern California after a one-year stint at Montana State University. During his time in Bozeman, Smith assisted in the team’s success both on and off the court that reflected in an NCAA Tournament berth after winning the Big Sky Conference Tournament championship and helped the team maintain a 3.1 overall GPA while participating in various community service events.
 
Prior to MSU, Smith was instrumental in the successful four-year 83-22 overall record and the development of 13 All-Conference players that culminated in winning four regular season and conference tournament championships at Point Loma. With the Sea Lions, Smith was passionate about student-athlete success in the classroom as well, helping them excel and maintain a 3.3 overall GPA and honoring multiple All-Academic team members.
 
Smith, familiar with the landscape of Southern California high school basketball, spent four seasons at Riverside Poly High School that compiled an overall record of 84-38. Additionally, he was involved with both the Cali Rebels and West Coast Elite AAU programs where he saw multiple players advance their basketball career to the collegiate level.
 
Smith will be joined by his wife, Nicole, and they are both excited to embark on this new journey with the Anteater family.

https://ucirvinesports.com/news/2024/7/8/julius-smith-joins-mens-basketball-as-assistant-coach.aspx