Kentucky State University men’s basketball head coach Jamaal Jackson announced Thursday the hiring of Shaun Smith as an assistant coach for the 2016-17 season.

“I am pleased to add Coach Smith to our staff,” said Jackson. “First and foremost, he is a devoted husband and father, and will serve as an excellent leader for our student-athletes.”

The Cincinnati, Ohio native served as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Bluefield State College under Jackson from 2014-16. In his first season at BSC, the Big Blues finished with the highest win total since the 1995-96 season and ranked first nationally in the fewest turnovers committed. Smith oversaw 2015-16 ECAC Freshman of the Year Chas Harvey and DII All-American Mark Durgan. Before his time at BSC, Smith spent the 2012-13 season as an assistant coach at Columbus State Community College.

“Coach Smith is highly organized, and the relationships he has built through his prior junior college and AAU coaching experience has served us well in the past,” said Jackson. “He will continue to do so as we pursue SIAC Championships.”

Before his coaching career, Smith was a four-year letterman from 2000-2004 at Ohio State University playing under Jim O’Brian. As a student-athlete, he was a three-time winner of the John Havlicek Most Inspirational Award, a two-time NCAA tournament participant in (2001, 2002), and a 2002 Big Ten Conference Tournament Champion.

“Coach Smith competed at the highest level of NCAA basketball, and his experiences will serve our players well, both on and off the court,” said Jackson.  “Coach Smith leaves a positive impression on everyone he encounters, and I am proud to have him not only as part of our basketball program but part of our Thorobred family.”

http://www.ksuthorobreds.com/news/2016/8/4/mens-basketball-adds-smith-to-coaching-staff.aspx