Texas Lutheran University announced Monday that Jimmy Smith, previously the head coach at Schreiner University, has been named the ninth head coach of the TLU men’s basketball program.
"Jimmy Smith is one of the best young basketball coaches in Texas, and we are delighted he will lead the TLU men’s basketball program," Texas Lutheran President Dr. Stuart Dorsey said. "He had great success at Schreiner, and I know he will be a winner here as well. TLU’s athletics programs are on the rise, and Coach Smith will play an important role in the program’s future success."
Smith comes to Seguin after spending the last two years at the helm of the Schreiner program, where he helped lead a quick turnaround for the Mountaineers, amassing a 36-37 record in those two years.
Before Smith came to Schreiner, the Mountaineers’ record in their Division III era was 92-253 (.270 win pct.). In just his second season, Smith guided Schreiner to its first winning season since joining the NCAA Division III, finishing 15-12 overall and 10-4 in the SCAC. Smith’s squad finished second in the SCAC standings and reached the semifinals of the SCAC Championship.
"I’m excited," Smith said. "I’ve known about TLU for a long time – both as a player playing against them and then coaching against them in the league. I’ve always had a lot of respect for the university. I think there’s a lot of untapped potential, so I’m just trying to get in here, figure out exactly how things work and get things going in the direction I have in my mind, as soon as possible.
"I think everyone’s goal is to try and win the conference. I have a lot of familiarity with these guys from coaching against them, so I think that’s the goal next year. Let’s figure out what we’ve got, figure out who we can add to the group to help us improve and start working towards winning the SCAC Championship next year."
Last season, Smith’s Mountaineers set school records (NCAA-era) for wins (15), winning percentage (.556), conference winning percentage (.714) and points per game allowed (68.9). He also coached the 2013-14 SCAC Co-Player of the Year and SCAC Defensive Player of the Year AJ Myres.
"We’re really excited to have Jimmy Smith as the next head coach of the TLU’s men’s basketball program," Texas Lutheran Athletic Director Bill Miller said. "We believe he is the right man at the right time to elevate the program. He is an outstanding fit for both this campus and the community."
Before coming to Schreiner, Smith spent three years as an assistant coach at his alma mater University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. As both a player and coach at UMHB, Smith was part of a winning culture. During his three years as an assistant coach, the Cru racked up a 70-18 record and qualified for three NCAA Tournaments.
He also enjoyed an outstanding playing career for UMHB, earning the school’s Male Athlete of the Year award and All-ASC West Division recognition. He was also the first Cru basketball player to receive Academic All-District VI First Team honors.
Smith began his coaching career at Sam Houston State University. He joined the Bearkats as an assistant coach in 2004 and spent two years with the basketball program, helping the Bearkats to a 40-21 record during that span.
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