A familiar name has returned to the Johnson State College Athletics Department: Miles Smith Jr., a 2009 JSC alumnus and former Badger basketball standout, is the college’s new head men’s basketball coach and assistant director of athletics.
Smith replaces Tommy Verdell, who served as head coach for two years before leaving this summer to become assistant director of athletics and compliance officer at Bates College in Maine.
Smith was a starter on the men’s basketball team and, in his senior year, was named team captain and president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He played in all 51 games during his two seasons with Johnson State as a senior point guard, leading the Badgers to the North Atlantic Conference playoffs.
A native of Philadelphia, Smith transferred to JSC in 2007 with an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Mercer County Community College.
After graduating from JSC, Smith worked for the college’s office of admissions. He then spent three seasons as an assistant basketball coach at Mercer County Community College, where in 2010 he helped coach the Vikings to the Region 19 National Junior College Athletic Association championship and an appearance in the NJACC National Tournament.
His other positions have included assistant basketball coach at The College of New Jersey in suburban Trenton, where he was responsible for player development, scouting, game-day management and recruitment; and admissions recruiter and the first head men’s basketball coach at the newly co-ed Wilson College in Pennsylvania.
“As a dedicated alumnus and proven head coach, Miles will be a strong addition to our staff, serving as an important touch-point for JSC student-athletes, alumni and community members,” Athletics and Recreation Director Jamey Ventura said.
“I am grateful to be a part of the bright future that Johnson State College Athletics is building,” Smith said. “Johnson State is a place that that no other institution in the world can match. It is an honor to come ‘home’ to lead the men’s basketball program. I am excited about the opportunity to work with the student-athletes and help them grow as individuals and achieve their goals.”